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Sunday, January 10, 2021

The fish vendors of Zeelugt Village Sookdeo Mahadeo, a fish vendor, would ride from Meten-Meer-Zorg to Tuschen on his bicycle selling fish daily. Fish-vending is a common way of life in the village. In this photo, Mahadeo is seen with a customer from the village (Carl Croker photo).

Guyanese Patriots with a Passion for Progress

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

By Francis Quamina Farrier

WHILE there are those Guyanese who say openly that they have given up on the country of their birth, there are those who not only “talk the talk,” but certainly “walk the walk” in a very positive way. So when last have you walked along the Main Street Avenue in downtown Georgetown and observed the renaissance taking place? Some citizens are working diligently to make it more and more as pleasant a walk as possible for citizens and tourists as well. One such citizen is businessman Stanley Ming. “The avenue along Main Street between Middle and New Market Streets, west of the President’s official residence, has become a very popular venue for photography during the year-round celebrations of weddings, anniversaries and special occasions,” noted Ming, the General Manager of Mings Products and Services Limited. With a particular interest in the improvement of that area of the capital city of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Ming has demonstrated clearly, his patriotism and passion for improving his own self designated section of the Capital of Guyana,

The beautiful century-old iron fence around the iconic Public Buildings on Brickdam in Georgetown. This photograph was taken in 2011 when Georgetown was at its worst, drowning in litter and garbage (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier) item - bags, boxes, bicycles, beddings - you name it. Almost everywhere - including the pavement in front This is a candid photograph of this long-standing Main Street Avenue vendor of the Public Buildings on who always keeps his immediate area clean -- even when he had an injured Brickdam which houses the leg (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier) country’s Parliament. That Georgetown. “A complete tem for the plants, large held for almost a century. pavement was even used as remake of the avenue and concrete plant receptacles, Then came the period when the bedroom for many homeits surroundings was done steel garden benches, rubcitizens seemed to have lost less persons. Many of them during 2016, when the sup- bish receptacles, and the pride in themselves and their deposited human waste on port of Guyana Power and repaving of the pathway,” pristine environment. Gone that pavement where parliaLight (GPL), The Ministry he pointed out. were the days when children mentarians drove past going It would be recalled that of Public Infrastructure played in city drains which into and out of the Parliament (MoPI), Guyana Water Inc. during the decades of the were kept as clean as a bed- compound. While a journal(GWI), The New Thriving 1980s to 2015, Georgetown room floor, to a time when ist at the VCT EVENING Restaurant, GAICO, and had deteriorated to what children were unaware that NEWS, I did quite a number Mings Products and Ser- was known as “The Garthere were concrete drains of news items highlighting vice (MPS), was solicited, bage city.” That was a far somewhere below the filthy, that sordid problem of the fall and it was agreed to install cry from its traditional title muddy strips of minor water- from grace of Georgetown. new LED Lightning, and of “The Garden City of the ways across the city. Almost Mounds of garbage were underground water sys- Caribbean” which it proudly all the drains were clogged- seen in most areas of the city, up with every imaginable including the Main Street

corridor. From 2016, things began to turn around. There was a dramatic renaissance of “Georgetown, the garbage city” to a Georgetown doing an “about turn” and heading to become “A shining city on a mud flat.” While every street in the capital city should be well maintained, one such as Main Street should receive extra attention given its location in the downtown commercial area of the city and also that one of the exits from State House goes unto that dual carriageway. As such, the current on-going maintenance project in which Mings Products and Services Ltd. and other agencies are See Page XIX

Two staffers of Mings Products and Services Limited (MPS) taking care of plants in the Main Street Avenue, Georgetown on an on-going basis (Photo courtesy of MPS)

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Research work helping curb notable decline of giant anteaters

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Giant Anteater Project Coordinator Erin Earl

A mother and baby climbing a tree By Telesha Ramnarine IN a bid to preserve Guyana’s unique and fascinating wildlife, the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS) has been doing a lot of work to conduct extensive research that can help to protect threatened species in the Rupununi. With its population said to be decreasing in South America and its conservation status listed as vulnerable, the situation with the giant anteaters in Guyana formed the basis for one such research that the SRCS has begun undertaking. Based in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Es-

sequibo), the SRCS was formed in 2002 and was initially focused on the endangered ‘red siskins,’ but as the organisation grew, it started making efforts to protect other threatened wildlife species in the Rupununi, including the Giant Anteater and the Yellow-spotted river turtle. Over the past two decades, residents of the Rupununi have observed a notable decline in Giant Anteaters, and while the members of the SRCS had their opinions about why this might be, they could not draw definitive conclusions. Before they started their research, there was no data on the Giant Anteaters -- no information about what peo-

Searching for Giant Anteaters in the South Rupununi

ple thought of them, where to find them, if they were being viewed as a threat and so forth. It is for this reason that in August 2019, the SRCS was happy to be funded by the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme Guyana for four years, to monitor and research the animals. To start with, the group piloted the project in Katoonarib

Village, under the leadership of Project Coordinator Erin Earl. The first thing that the SRCS did was to conduct surveys with villagers from 25 households to find out, among other things, if they had any indigenous, traditional, local knowledge about the animals. The SRCS soon found out that the anteaters’ hab-

Giant Anteater Programme Coordinator Neal Millar, working with some locals

Roaming the savannah

itat was being destroyed when people created farms and lit wildfires. “You see these fires every single time you drive through the Rupununi….and it’s not unusual to find a dead Giant Anteater that has been burnt in the savannah,” Giant anteater Programme Coordinator Neal Millar said. Others, according to him, have engaged in “opportunistic killing” of the animals, killing them because of superstition or simply because they can. Armed with this knowledge, the next step of the research project was to plant camera traps on trees and in locations where the anteaters were likely to show up. The team managed to set up about 15 camera traps around Katoonarib Village and over a year, they were able to capture a lot of footage. Because the Giant Anteaters each have distinctive features, such as different markings on their bodies, the team was able to complete the population esSee Page XIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Morgan in one of his virtuoso performances

By Frederick Halley GUYANESE-BORN Jan Morgan is described as a trumpeter extraordinaire and in some quarters, he is fondly referred to as a “musical genius” and a “musician’s musician. In 1994, Morgan was a prominent member of the popular Mingles Sound Machine which was on a tour to Toronto, Canada and according to him, he seized the opportunity to stay on to assist a friend to set up a band and has made the North American country his adopted home ever since. Morgan, who is also proficient in playing the trombone, reading, writing and arranging music, has been creating waves in the music industry since then, not only in Canada but also in the Caribbean, Europe and other

parts of the world. Morgan’s prowess in the industry hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was recently rewarded for his untiring efforts when the Guyana 50th Republic Awards Celebration Committee staged its Virtual Guyanese Republic Jubilee Awards Ceremony and Cultural Presentation, dubbed “An Evening of Appreciation, Recognition and Unity.” Held under the auspices of The Consulate General of Guyana, Toronto, Canada, Morgan was bestowed with the Arts and Entertainment Distinction Award, presented to artists, musicians and cultural leaders in recognition of artistic excellence, cultural leadership and contribution to the arts. The talented trumpeter has over the years played at numerous charitable events in the Guyanese community in

Toronto which allowed him to expand and showcase his melodic musical virtuosity on the trumpet. According to Morgan, he has been involved in recordings and performances for several international artistes, including the late Percy Sledge, Jamaican icon Pluto Shervington, King Ajamo from Grenada, Anslem Douglas, Calypso Rose, Ronnie McIntosh, Calypso Rose and David Rudder from Trinidad and Tobago, Red Plastic Bag, Rupee and Mighty Gryner from Barbados, Vincentians Ronnie McIntosh, Winston So So, and Nigel Lewis, reigning Grenadian Soca Monarch, South Indian film and music protege Vijay Prakash, whose song was featured in the movie, “Slum Dog Millionaire, the late Cuba Gooding Sr. and his singing group, and the great

Musical genius Jan Morgan is a trumpeter extraordinaire reggae superstar Luciano from Jamaica, among others. Morgan also performed and recorded with several musical groups in Guyana and Canada, including The Yoruba Singers, Sound Dimension, Triple Play, Surefire, Traction, Neu Jenarashun (pronounced “new generation”), Ossie Gurley and The Truth, and Kobotown, which he’s currently a member. Significantly, Kobotown has been nominated twice for the coveted Juno awards and won it in 2018 for the Best World Music Album. In an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Morgan pointed out that he joined the Guyana Police Force on Christmas Eve Day in 1978 and was transferred to the Military Band three months later, culminating in him achieving the rank of Sergeant. It signalled the start of a remarkable musical career. He, however, resigned in November 1988 and migrated to Canada in June 1994. According to Morgan, he enjoys listening and playing all genres of music but, by playing music from Guyana and the Caribbean he keeps “our music” alive, more so, “because we need musical growth, we need musical quality and we need more fusion of our music into the North American and European scene”. In his acceptance speech, during the recent awards ceremony, Morgan pointed out that “It was indeed an honour and privilege to be receiving the award for simply doing

Jan Morgan poses with his Arts and Entertainment awards trophy something I love; playing the the way. “I started off playing trumpet and making people the steelpan and bugle on a happy through music.” According to the affable Work-Study Programme with Morgan, “while awards are the Guyana Defence Force in limited and few are chosen 1978 and playing the trumpet from many contributors, I am in 1979, after being recruited filled with gratitude that my by the Guyana Police Force particular form of music has Band. “I give thanks to God led me to this moment.” M o rg a n h a d s p e c i a l for everything –- my family, praise for the late Guyanese friends, fellow artistes and Harry Whittaker and Phil- supporters, for your love, lip “Barney” Small, whom encouragement and apprehe described as two of his ciation. May our journey main teachers and mentors together continue long into and many other deserving the future as we end this artistes and musicians who unique 2020 on this pleashelped and guided him along ant note. Thank you!”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Team-building, recreation and sport development possible with paintball

Kendallz Extreme Sports redefining paintball in Guyana By Vishani Ragobeer IMAGINE players running around with markers (sports gear that resembles a gun) that projects paint that will be splattered on whatever or whomever it makes contact with. Now, add the idea of strategising and coordinating your ‘attacks’ with other team members to ensure that the other team resembles a scene from Phagwah. That’s what a game of paintball is like. Kevin Heinz, the founder of Kendallz Extreme Sports-

will provide an engaging experience that challenges each participant to remain fit while increasing their communication and strategic planning skills,” Heinz told the Pepperpot Magazine in a recent interview. This business started in 2011, focusing on corporate events. But, the appeal of this unconventional sport attracted persons who were just looking for a novel recreational activity. That resulted in the business expanding to accommodate families and groups of friends. The main focus on Ken-

to the Soesdyke-Linden highway where they participate in all these activities. A high-ropes obstacle course and canopy zip-lining will be activities that will be added soon. But more importantly, Heinz is seeking to establish branches in Berbice, Linden, and Bartica to ensure that persons in other parts of Guyana would be able to benefit from these activities. PAINTBALL AS A SPORT Beyond team-building and recreation, paintball is a recognised international

A player engaging in a game of paintball a local business that offers paintball activities, contended that paintball is an unconventional sporting activity that facilitates team-building because of its inherent reliance on teamwork. “Paintball is a game where strength and speed are not nearly as important as strategy and communication, therefore these events

dallz Extreme Sports is the paintball activities but what Heinz and his team have been trying to ensure is that whenever you book with them, it’s not just paintball activities. Instead, it is a combination of paintball and other sports and activities such as cricket, volleyball, football, bush-cooking, and swimming. Teams are taken

sport. But it is not yet recognised in Guyana. Currently, Heinz is in talks with the relevant authorities to have paintball registered as a sport in Guyana. This will allow for the local development of the sport and Heinz himself is interested in establishing a national team that would be able to compete with teams

in the Region and internationally. “We’re trying to get people to understand that you can actually build a career off of paintball,” Heinz, a trained ‘paintballer’ himself, emphasised. Once registered as a sport, it will also be easier for individuals to procure their gear. Currently, this is a challenge and according to Heinz, some authorities are wary of the markers because they appear to be guns. “If you procure any piece of equipment from us, we document the serial number and in the event somebody was to misuse it, we can trace it back to the person and provide that information to the law enforcement,” he said, assuring that much emphasis is placed on security. With Guyana’s expansive land space, he also indicated that there can be opportunities for sports tourism. He highlighted that paintball is a non-contact sport which is particularly apt in these ‘COVID times’. In the months ahead, Heinz will be inviting international players to help train locals in this sport. He also indicated that if anyone is interested in starting a field

Founder of Kendallz Extreme Sports, Kevin Heinz (right) with international paintball player, Marcello Margott of the San Diego Dynasty that recently won the NXL Paintball World Cup in any region in Guyana, they can contact the consultancy arm of Kendallz Inc and they will be guided through the processes from procurement

to day to day operations. Heinz can be contacted on Facebook and Instagram at Kendallz Extreme Sports

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo A progressive village of small businesses

By Michel Outridge THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the countryside community of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. This village is relatively large and consists of three phases -- the old scheme, the new scheme and the public road section with a population of more than 3,000, mostly of Indo-Guyanese ethnicity and a handful of Afro-Guyanese. Zeelugt Village is located between De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara and Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. It is home to skilled workers such as cane-cutters, carpenters, masons, construction workers, teachers, nurses, office employees and other equally qualified professionals. Zeelugt Village is very

Tuschen/ Uitvlugt NDC Chairman, Ramzan Ali

populated and has a lot of shops, supermarkets and stores, a central hub for businesses and it is a developing community which stretches from the seawall to the backlands.

Upgraded roads in Zeelugt

Zeelugt Village has two nursery schools, a primary school, a cemetery and a health post. The community has upgraded roads and internal streets, potable water, elec-

A bridge in the community

tricity, internet and cable services, a landline service and there is no shortage of small shops in this ‘neck of the woods.’ It is also safe to say that the village is self-sufficient and there are a large number of housewives, stayat-home moms and some others, who do part-time jobs which include domestic house-cleaning and the picking of shrimps. The village also has an active community policing group and a police outpost. There are a large number of unemployed youths in the

village, who are addicted to drugs and can be seen openly at street corners smoking the illicit drug and then there are groups of mature men, who would gather and imbibe alcohol. Despite these pitfalls in the village, there is an upside to all this: most of the residents are ‘go-getters,’ mostly small-business people, who earn an honest dollar daily, by utilising their skills. Village development Meanwhile, the new Chairman of the Tuschen/

The Tuschen/Uitvlugt NDC at MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (Carl Croker photos)

Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ramzan Ali, told the Pepperpot Magazine that it was his first day on the job as Chairman of the NDC, a portfolio that is new to him. He related that he is, however, open to learning but is aware of the needs of the communities under his watch and, being the Imam of the Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara Masjid, he does a lot of behind-thescenes community work. Ali, a resident of the same village, related that See page VII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Print Zone shop in Zeelugt North

The hot dog stand on a bicycle

Self-employed residents of Zeelugt are doing their part to support each other By Michel Outridge EVEN as a manager of a large food chain in Guyana, Ramesh Singh wanted to establish his own small business to become self-employed one day, since he isn’t comfortable with the notion of having to work for people his entire life. Singh started his own small business right out of his home at Zeelugt North, where he has a shop which caters for all your printing, laminating, photocopying and stationery needs. The 35-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that his business, Print Zone, ensures that pensioners get to pay their bills free of charge through the bill-payment system via MMG, a same-day transaction. “This village needed a printing place, a shop which caters for that kind of thing, especially because there was none and it is a very large area; so the schoolchildren would come here to have their assignments and printing, copying and other needs fulfilled at a reasonable cost,” he said. Singh is originally from Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, but relocated to Zeelugt 15 years ago and it is indeed a quiet community, except when the music starts to play. He admitted that when schools are opened his business

Tulsie Mahadeo

Zeelugt, East Bank... From page VI

after being briefed by the Overseer of the NDC on ongoing works and current projects for the development of the communities, he can safely say that there is a lot in store for Zeelugt Village.

The Chairman added that an access bridge was constructed, linking the village to the cemetery and it was proposed that the said burial ground be cleaned. Ali reported that the street where the Zeelugt Health Post is located will be upgraded from its current de-

The hot dog vendor The Pepperpot Magazine also met Tulsie Mahadeo who resides next to an elderly man, his wife and son, who has about 15 cows rearing in their entire yard and on the reserve. The 51-year-old reported that he is Guyanese but had migrated to Venezuela; he returned home and had to start all over again when his mother-in-law and his mother both got ill and

subsequently passed away. He disclosed that he has a concern with regard to the cow manure from next door which would seep into his yard, making the place smelly and it is a health hazard, because it is not healthy for his children and grandchildren who reside with him. When the issue became overbearing after reasoning with the neighbour fell on deaf ears, he sought the guidance of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which was instrumental in having a large number of cows removed from the yard. Mahadeo reported that the neighbour had about 50 cows in his yard and when it rains, the place smells of cow manure and urine and his entire backyard is filled with cow manure. Presently, he is awaiting removal of the 15 cows left and the NDC has asked him to be patient and give his neighbour some time to do so. Mahadeo is the village hot dog vendor, who has a bicycle with the carrier stand attached and he would go in front of the supermarket at Fisher Dam to sell in the afternoon period. During the day, he would prepare the things needed for the hot dog and he goes out to sell at 15:00hrs and would be there until the supermarket closes at 20:00hrs. “This is my main source of income because when I returned to Guyana I could not find a job and I know I had to do something to earn, so the hot dog idea became a reality,” he said. He returned to Guyana three years ago with his entire family and they all had to re-start their lives here. Mahadeo stated that Zeelugt is a good place to live, despite the one issue he has and the people are good to him and his family. “The people of this village support my small business and would buy hot dog from me; as such, I am able to feed my family and that’s commendable, because we all have to help each other in some way,” he said.

plorable state and unfinished work at the Health Post will be completed. He stated that Water Pump Street will also be upgraded and five other roads within the village will be re-paved. Ali disclosed that they will undertake repairs to the water trestle at the Zeelugt Primary School and also install a new one with a

nity centre ground for games and other events. “Works are underway to have a massive clean-up from De Kinderen to Zeelugt villages shortly and that will see drains, canals, trenches and parapets cleaned,” he said. Ali added that a plot has been allocated for a multi-purpose centre which will be used for skills train-

Ramesh Singh (Carl Croker photos) will go back into gear, but for now things are a bit slow, but he is patient because next month he will start selling overthe-counter drugs. As is, he is awaiting his shop licence to sell over-thecounter drugs, so it will be convenient for villagers to stop by and get whatever they need. Singh had a few jobs for big companies in which they ordered bill-payment books and receipt books which he made and that was a plus for his business and then he started to print business cards too. He also has a benevolent side to him and he would host events for the children of the village and stated that once his business grows, he would be willing to do even more for his village.

water tank to ensure that an adequate water supply is at the school. He pointed out that the NDC was allocated $7 million for the project, in which the Boerasarie Community Centre will be upgraded and a spectators’ stand will be constructed. The residents of neighbouring villages, including Zeelugt, utilises this commu-

ing for youths and the women of the village will benefit from sewing and cooking classes to empower them. He reported that under current works there are several projects for several villages under his watch, but highlighted only those which will be done in Zeelugt Village, East Bank Essequibo.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Welder/Fabricator Stephen Da Costa at his workshop in Zeelugt

Making a mark in his community - With hard work and perseverance

By Michel Outridge LIKE most villagers of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, Stephen Da Costa is earning a living right from under his house which is convenient, and despite the challenges, he is trying to keep his small business operational. Da Costa has been a resident of Zeelugt Village for the past 30 years, when as a youth he left his hometown in the Pomeroon to go to school. He was learning a trade with a tailor when he saw the young woman who would later become his wife. “I saw this girl and I

knew I was in love; she was so beautiful and still is today and after nine years she said yes to marrying me and I was elated and beyond myself,” he said. Da Costa, after tailoring faded, still had to earn and tried his hand at fabrication and welding and today he is successful in that trade because he built a tilt trailer from scratch and would custom-made most things. The father of three said he bluffed his way into welding and fabricating, because he did not know the trade, but when he bought his first welding plant, he was given a job to outfit a house with grill and it was his best work

ever. The 57-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that his daughter is familiar with the trade and she got that by looking at him work; and she is the one who does assist him to get a lot of things done in his workshop. “My daughter is qualified as a lab technician, but took a job as a secretary with a private dental clinic because she could not find work, so I told her she must take that until she get the job she wants,” he said. Da Costa revealed that he has tried his hand at most trades because work is not easy to get, and he would do many things to earn.

Stephen Da Costa and his newly made tilt trailer (Carl Croker photos)

He stated that he had a bakery on the bottom flat of his house, but it was a seasonal small business and after it folded, he started his welding/fabrication business. Da Costa added that most people prefer to buy things that are packaged in fancy wrappings and they would opt for the foreign products more than the local, because we don’t do fancy packaging; so most small businesses fail even before they start. He related that it is the packaging that attracts the eye of the buyer, and most people want that because it is well labelled and packaged.

Da Costa told the Pepperpot Magazine that he would give back to the community by training youths in the village at his workshop, and did so for more than 50 young men. “I would even pay some of them to just learn this trade to acquire a skill, so they can earn, but some of them are not willing to learn, but is still try to motivate them,” he said. The father of three noted that from the time he first came to the village to now a lot of things have changed and he has seen development within Zeelugt and that is a

plus for any community as a whole because infrastructure is necessary. Da Costa reported that he would leave this country and go overseas to work and would return to work as well, because he is not accustomed to sitting idly by and doing nothing. “The hardest part of starting a small business is to make a start to establish your business, because you have to spend to earn and after that you can build up a clientele base and your business will eventually take shape, making you self-employed,” he said.

The fish vendors of Zeelugt Village CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

By Michel Outridge EVEN though it was a rainy day, Ramesh Sookhai did not mind; he was standing there awaiting the arrival of any fishing boat so he can earn. He is one of many men who would buy fish from the fishermen when they return from their same-day fishing trips.

including Zeelugt. Sookhai told the Pepperpot Magazine that selling fish is his main source of income and he depends on it to support his family of three. The 46-year-old was hopeful that day that a fishing boat would return and he would be able to be on his way to earn. Sookhai added that he would only buy the bigger Fish vendor Sookdeo Mahadeo on his bicycle (Carl Croker photos)

At Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, Creek Bridge is where the fishing boats are moored before going on fishing expeditions and when they return from that trip it is usually a flurry of activities. The fishmonger, after making his purchase of the day’s catch, would get on his motorcycle which has a carrier attached at the back to store fish and would sell throughout several villages,

Ramesh Sookhai posing near his motorcycle at Creek Bridge, Zeelugt

fish and do not make any purchase of shrimp or banga. “People prefer to buy the large fishes, even if you have to cut it up and sell; they would buy that because it’s what they want,” he said. He related that due to the pandemic and the holidays, most fishermen did not venture out to sea; as such, there is a scarcity of fish and people have been asking him to get some for their consumption.

The father of two stated that the tide is also low, so the fishermen are awaiting the spring tide to get back into the Atlantic Ocean to fish, which is the ideal time to make good catches. He explained that a few boats would make day trips and he depends on those boats to bring back good catches, so he can buy and go about selling. Sookhai is from MetenMeer-Zorg Village, a few villages away, but would frequent Zeelugt where he has to wait to earn a living daily. At the Creek Bridge, at Zeelugt, there is a lot of fisherfolk who were mending their seines, while others were doing repair works on their boats. The Pepperpot Magazine also met another fishmonger, Sookdeo Mahadeo, who rides and sells on his bicycle daily. He would also buy fish to sell in the community and he resides at the Sideline Dam, Zeelugt, with his wife and child. The 32-year-old said he would also make fruit punch and snow cones and sell in the village, as well as a side ‘hustle’ to make ends meet. Mahadeo pointed out that he would go from MetenMeer-Zorg to Tuschen on his bicycle selling fish daily, usually in the morning hours, after which he would take a rest then prepare to go on another bicycle selling snow cones and strawberry- flavoured fruit punch. “I had to find things to do to make a living because

A villager as she made a purchase from Sookdeo Mahadeo

Creek Bridge, Zeelugt I had an accident which has left my leg unstable, and I have to get surgery so I use the bicycles I custom-made to ride around and sell,” he said. Mahadeo disclosed that he would buy fresh fruits at the Tuschen Market, wash them, cut them up and blend it and add strawberry flavour and condensed milk and bag it off as a fruit punch to sell. Ice is added to the mixture and once the required taste has been achieved, he would ensure it is ready to be sold in the community. He related that it is a recipe he learned while he was living in Venezuela, and when he was forced to

Fishmonger, Ramesh Sookhai return to Guyana, his place of birth, he used it to make a living because he could not find a job. “I custom-made my two bicycles; after purchase, I

added carriers to accommodate a fish basket and a snocone cooler, because that needs to be cold for the fruit punch and to store ice too,” he said.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

The health post and the councillor of Zeelugt Village are there for the people

By Michel Outridge

EVEN though it is a health post, it provides professional medical care for the community and those farther afield, who would seek the services provided by the friendly and mild-mannered staff at the Zeelugt health post, East Bank Essequibo. Midwife Jenny Deochan was on hand to give a tour of the facility and took the time out to allow a friendly interview. She related that the Zeelugt health post serves a lot of people more than others because of its location; and the area is very populated and many people from other villages would visit to get medical attention. Deochan added that they provide the services the patients seek despite some challenges and with limited staffers. She stated that they operate as a health facility from Mondays to Fridays from 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs and they have different services every day, but immunisation, home visits, family planning and dressings are done on every working day. Deochan explained that on Mondays there are admissions of newborn babies, BCG vaccines are administered and postnatal clinics are held. On Tuesdays

The Zeelugt health post

Midwife, Jenny Deochan

they have family planning, on Wednesdays is antenatal and children’s clinic and on Thursdays there are infant and children’s clinics and on Fridays there is a chronic disease clinic. The midwife related that they don’t have an on-staff doctor, but a medex would visit on Wednesdays and Fridays. They just have a staff complement of a midwife, a nursing assistant, a community health worker, a part-time cleaner and a guard. Deochan, who hails from Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, reported that she spent 24 years in the nursing profession but was a community health worker for the first 12 years. The Zeelugt health post, a small building which is incomplete but was opened in 2015, is busiest on Fridays when there is chronic disease

clinic and more than 50 patients would pass through. Deochan explained recently that the front yard was low and used to be flooded when it rains, but was recently cemented higher, however, a ramp for wheelchair patients is yet to be constructed. The tiling is incomplete and the building is without air-conditioning, especially the room where drugs are stored and serves as the pharmacy. The yard was also recently sand-filled and cleaned. “We make do with the resources at hand and try to provide a professional and timely service to patients,” said the health worker.

Staffers of the Zeelugt health post Pooramdai Sukhau called Paravin, told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is a local of Zeelugt Village and has lived all her life in that community, which has seen

The Councillor Meanwhile, the ViceChair for the Tuschen/Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC),

Chairman of the NDC and the Vice-Chair, Ramzan Ali and Pooramdai Sukhau

Inside the Zeelugt health post

its fair share of development over the years. She reported that within the community there are ongoing works in North, South and the New Scheme area which is large in size and population. The councillor added that several internal streets which were previously in a deplorable state were upgraded and works at the two nursery schools will start shortly. She stated that a walkway bridge linking Zeelugt

to Tuschen was completed recently and Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) workers are weeding parapets and cleaning drains, canals and trenches. Sukhau noted that most people in the village work at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate and it is a place of many small businesses. “Most of the women here are housewives, but do go out to earn on a parttime basis, cleaning houses and picking shrimps and the youths in this village are

unemployed due to the pandemic,” she said. She explained that many people lost their jobs to COVID-19 and are around doing nothing, while others are trying to utilise their skills to make their livelihoods right in the community. Sukhau added that the Community Policing Group would do night patrols in the village and they work along with the police to ensure that residents are safe. She disclosed that a plot of land was allocated for the construction of a police station within the community, but that is yet to happen. The 42-year-old stated that as a child the place was like a jungle and swampy and she used to walk bare feet to school some distance away. “Life was simple but hard back then, and I used to live in a small shack with four siblings and my parents so I know all about being humble; but today things are different and upgraded,” she said.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

HEALTHY HABITS, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

BY now, you would have already cemented your New Year resolutions – make room for a few more if those do not include eco-friendly living. “It’s imperative that we rethink our culture in order to help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change. But, where to start? The changes that need to be made can seem overwhelming, but with some simple adjustments, you can help do your part for the environment.” Here are a few old habits to leave in 2020 Time to be done with single-use plastics At the rate we are polluting the ocean with around 12.7 million tonnes of plastic a year, the damage we are doing to marine life and our ecosystem is becoming irreparable. Our actions over the next 10 years will determine the state of the ocean for the next 10,000 years to come. It’s long past time to ditch single-use plastics and opt for reusable items instead – options are becoming more affordable, and stylish to boot, from bamboo straws to customised metal water bottles, and mason jars as mugs for that cup of coffee at the office. Beauty in the environment As of recent, global beauty and clothing brands are becoming more eco-conscious. Before making your next makeup and clothing purchases, check to see if your favourite brand is making an effort to be friendly to the Earth. Oh, and skip the face washes with micro-beads. If you haven’t heard the news yet, microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic frequently used in cosmetic and cleansing products, less than 5mm in diameter. They are found in kinds of toothpaste, shower gels, defoliants, body-washes, face scrubs, detergents, cleansing agents, sun-screens, scouring agents and synthetic fibres in clothing. There are about 100,000 microbeads in a face-wash product. A single shower can result in 100,000 plastic particles entering the ocean, according to one estimate – the number that gets washed down plugholes in the United States alone every day has been calculated at about 808 trillion. They

get eaten by tiny plankton and work their way up the food chain where they have been found in the stomachs of large fish and fish-eating birds. In addition to this, you should opt for reusable, washable facecloths instead of the cotton pads. Food and the environment The production, transport, storage and other processes associated with food have a massive environmental impact, affecting water, climate, land and people.

While governments and corporations have their roles to play in creating a more sustainable and equitable society when it comes to food, you as an individual have your role to play. Here a few simple things you can do in the new year (this list is not exhaustive): * Do your best to source locally grown food, and choose fruits and vegetables that are in season; * Make a shopping list before going to the market or supermarket to avoid buying unnecessary items; * Store fruits and vegetables separately as the gas ether, which is released by ripening fruits can cause vegetables to rot faster; * Cook only what you need, and don’t be afraid to use those left-overs;

* Compost kitchen and yard waste; and * Opt for more vegetarian and vegan meals. Practise the Rs of waste management According to the 5 Rs, four actions should be taken, if possible, before ‘recycling’: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and then recycle. Incorporating this methodology into your daily routine will minimize your carbon footprint. Refuse: the first element of the 5 R’s hierarchy. Learning to refuse waste can take some practice, but practising this step is the most effective way to minimize waste. Refuse to buy wasteful or non-recyclable products. When working with vendors, refuse unnecessary product packaging and request reusable or returnable containers. Reduce the use of harmful, wasteful, and non-recyclable products. Reducing dependency on these kinds of products results in fewer waste materials ending up in landfill and the associated negative environmental impacts. We recommend always using the minimum amount required to avoid unnecessary waste. Single-use plastics have created a “throw-away” culture by normalizing consumer behaviour of using materials once and then throwing them away. The rate at which we consume plastics has become unimaginable, and the plastic crisis has become one of the world’s greatest environmental challenges (see above). Replace all of the single-use eating utensils, Styrofoam cups, water bottles, and paper plates with

compostable or reusable alternatives (once you’ve used them of course). For every item that can’t be refused, reduced, or reused, try repurposing it. This method is often referred to as upcycling. Sometimes it requires using some creativity, but the possibilities are

endless. Last but definitely not least: recycle. Once you’ve gone through all of the other R’s, recycling is the most environmentally friendly waste disposal method. 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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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

HUSH, MY BEAUTIFUL ONE “Hush, my child, it’s time to sleep.” She seemed to hear her mother’s voice, its soft comfort filled with love and warmth, but she was cold. “Where am I?” The damp smell of dirt seemed strange. “Mom?” she called, her dazed mind searching for her. “Rest in peace, my beautiful one,” her mother cried, her voice cracking with emotion. “No,” she screamed, weakly, struggling to find her way out of the haze of darkness, as her mother’s voice faded away. The darkness prevailed, seeming to entrap her then suddenly a light shone, illuminating a path. Her eyes flew open and she sat up, stung by a blast of cold air. She looked around, but no one was waiting for her, she was alone in a place that was not home. The creepy silence sent a chill through her body, and in desperation, she now called for her husband, “Dev, please help me! I think I’m lost.” There was no answer. She called for him, again, “Dev, where are you?” Still no answer. A knot of fear formed in her throat, not seeing anyone, nor hearing their voices. “Mom…Dev…” she called, her voice trembling. “They can’t hear you,” a little voice said behind her. She turned around, startled and saw a little girl, in a white frilly dress, holding a bunch of flowers in her hand. “Why? Where am I?” “You are not of their world anymore,” she said softly and placed the flowers on a grave at her feet. “Your final resting place, Priya.” Priya looked down and gasped, shocked to the extreme. She was looking at a grave with her name carved on a headstone. “I died?” she asked incredulously, “I died?!” The little girl said nothing, a sympathetic look on her face and turning, she walked, a short distance away to a smaller grave. Priya looked at her, icy cold fingers gripping her senses, as the realisation hit her that she was in a cemetery and the little girl was a departed soul like she was now. She sat down, her head buried in her hands, trying to get her confused thoughts together. “How did this happen?” She had not been ill, she had not been in an accident, nor she had no serious problems with anyone. “How then, did I die, dear Lord?” The last thing she could remember was coming home from the mandir, making a cup of tea, that she had drunk after taking a bath and lying down to sleep. “Those were the final moments of my life,” she recalled, “There’s nothing else which means I never woke up.” Priya opened her eyes, her thoughts deeply troubled and she saw the little girl, sitting beside her. “He wasn’t sad.” The child said. “Who?” “Your husband.” “What are you saying?” Priya asked, now perplexed.

“I was looking at him when they brought your body for burial. He wasn’t sad and his mother had a hidden, little smile on her face.” Priya stood up and walked around restlessly, feeling as though she had been caught in a freak thunderstorm. There was no doubt now, something bad had happened to her from someone who had put a devious plan into play, someone who wanted her dead. “When did love turn to such hate?” she questioned, bitterly. A dignified and virtuous young woman, she had been, from a Hindu family, close to her religion and culture. She had graduated top of her class from a business school and met her husband just six months after starting to work. Their courtship had lasted a year before they got married with the blessings of both families. A beautiful couple they had been with wonderful plans for the future, but two years after tension started to creep in when she could not get pregnant. Tests proved nothing was wrong with her and the doctors assured her it may take some time. A traditional Hindu home, like her in-laws, hardly blames the husband for any wrong and even though the fault is not always the wife’s, she was blamed for it. Priya had tried over the time to take the insults and caustic remarks from her husband’s family in good stride, given her kind nature and she prayed daily for something positive to take away the problems and tension. But, it got worse when Dev, instigated by his mother began behaving aggressively towards her, that many days left her in tears. She had wanted to leave, to end the marriage but her parents, staunch Hindus had disagreed with her decision, telling her a good wife does not leave her husband and her home. Those words now seemed to mock at her, for her body was lying, lifeless in the cold earth. “I obeyed you, father,” she said in deep agony, “And this is my reward. What great advice do you have for me now?” She had never been comfortable with the rules and laws of traditional homes where the woman has to suffer. “This is so unfair,” she expressed bitterly, “For we give our hearts and soul to home and family. We love and honour our husbands and yet a kind word or a smile to say ‘Thank

you’ is asking too much.” Life for her got no better when her husband’s late hours became more regular, and the different scents of perfume on his clothes told her what words wouldn’t, that he was seeing other women. It had felt like a knife wound in her heart and when her in-laws too voiced their disapproval of a divorce, because it would be a stain on the family’s name, she had felt trapped and helpless. But she never gave up her faith, praying for something to free her. “I never thought it would have been death.” She cried with agonised screams and the dogs in the village across the trench howled, aware of a haunted soul’s presence and her pain. As her anger subsided and she sat there crying, quietly, the little girl touched her hand in comfort. “I used to cry every night too.” Priya raised her head, after a short moment and looked at the child, seeing for the first time, her pain and sighing deeply to calm her anguished mind, she asked her, “How long have you been here?” “Three years.” “What happened?” The child looked at her hands, not answering then she looked up, tears in her eyes, “A bad uncle took me away from our home when my mother was at work and he hurt me. I never saw my mother, little brother and sister again because I got lost in a dark place until the angels came.” The child’s tragic story was like another stab to Priya’s heart. A young innocent life mercilessly interrupted. Will it ever end? She hugged the child and asked, puzzled, “Why are you still here?” “I did not go with the angels because I cannot leave my mother, she’s too sad.” “No, Anne,” Priya said to her, “You have to, for you’ll be God’s little angel in Heaven.” Anne shook her head, biting her lip to stop from crying. “She’s at a mental hospital, she needs me, I go to see her every night to help her get better and I have to look over my brother and sister.” Priya watched the child leave, and she thought of her own grieving mother and father, her husband who was not sad and a killer who had left no prints. “I will find you though,” she vowed, “and not until then would I leave, for my life was my own and you had no right to take it.” The little girl came back, an hour before midnight and Priya said to her, “I need to find my way home.” Anne stretched out her little hand and said, “Come with me.” They walked down the cemetery path, two unseen beings, woman and child of another world. As they neared the roadway, their spiritual forms materialized into the living and an approaching car stopped. The driver See Page XIX

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Power in Execution

CAN you imagine we are already in the second week of 2021? I decided to take it a bit easy for January because I must be in the right mind, body and soul to serve effectively. I had a very consuming but fulfilling December. The 365 Invaluable Life Experiences compilation book had me totally engrossed, but it was worth it. We had a successful launch on Amazon and received great feedback from people who read the book. The evidence of faith people displayed was evident in hundreds of these stories. The contributors also sent in glowing remarks and I am sharing two below. “This has been quite an experience, the journey of 365 Invaluable Life Experiences. You have opened up the hearts and minds of so many people during this process and will continue to impact many more as the number of readers continues to grow -- so empowering!” Mea Dixon, USA. “Sonia certainly knows how to make people’s dreams come through. This was an empowering journey for me and many people around the world who were given the opportunity to share their stories. I believe many lives will be transformed.” Penny Phakathi, South Africa. “Invaluable Life Experiences -- A Guided Journal is an Absolute Masterpiece. This informative, foundational, easy-flow, guided journal will not only take you step by step with combining self-reflection, personal development and increasing self-confidence, yet increase your overall success in life. I recommend this journal for everyone! grab your copy today, you will be glad you did!” Nikki Girard, Canada. “The journal is really helping me with reflection and navigation.... so I’ll know what I have to improve on for this

year.. anything I missed in 2020 I sure won’t be missing it in 2021. Writing is a manifestation for me. I must be able to look back on the 31st and say ‘I DID THAT’. Get your copy today!” Sussana Agustine, Guyana. We also hit the #1 position on Amazon in various categories, which felt great for us all. The guided journal is also receiving attention and I think it is appropriate for this time of the year. I was hoping to complete my vision board by now, but I am still working on it and other things to guide my year to make it productive and effective. Remember your new year doesn’t have to be a calendar year. It is fantastic to set goals and create vision boards, but implementation is where the results are. We often hear knowledge, is power but it is potential power. The power is in the execution! Many times we enrol in courses, attend seminars or buy books and display our dissatisfaction because we did not receive what was promised. Many times people do not apply, but expect results. I will be hosting two complimentary zoom masterminds “Power of Execution” on the 14th and 24th January. We also have another Virtual Writers’ Retreat coming up soon. I am excited to host these sessions because I know they will be transformational. If you are interested in attending, please email livingwithintention11@gmail.com or WhatsApp 5926848129 I would like to encourage us to take our health seriously because our health is our wealth. 2021 is a year of elevation for all of us and we need to create the opportunities if you think none are existing. Every 24 hours must be meaningful as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Guyana has suitable conditions for onion production

CLIMATE change poses a threat to crop sustainability and productivity as temperature rises, rainfall patterns vary, and pests and diseases pressure increases. Thus, there is no guarantee that crop varieties presently being cultivated with acceptable yields will continue to do so in a changing climatic environment. However, it is recognised that crop diversification is one rational and cost-effective way of creating agricultural resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. At the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) this problem is being tackled

Onion Harvested at Phillipi Region 6 on two fronts. Firstly, there is an active programme of collection, storage and evaluation of accessions (cassava, sweet potato, pepper and tomato) for future use. Secondly, there is a programme to introduce new germplasm into the cropping system to

diversify its base. Creating genetic diversity could aid in disease suppression and increased production and stability, and this has been positively linked to increases in mean household income and stability in income. Farmers are encouraged

to diversify their cropping base, targeting import crops. Some crops within the diversification programme include onion, Irish potatoes, carrots, quinoa, and purple passion fruit. Some successes were obtained in onion cultivation locally as elaborated below. Onions: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable cultivated and used around the world, and is widely consumed in Guyana. Majority of onions (white and red varieties) found on the local markets are imported from the United States of America, Canada or India. Guyana has the available land and soil quality (loamy sands and sandy loams) along with climatic suitability to successfully cultivate onions on

a large scale and satisfy its local demand. Research has shown that short-day varieties of both white and red onions can be successfully grown under shaded and open- field conditions. Farmers in Regions Three, Four, Six and 10 have successfully cultivated ¼ area plots of onions under open-field conditions. Areas planted included Supply, Jonestown, Canal # 1, Parika, Free and Easy, Nurney, Kildonan, Bush Lot, Bright Town, Light Town, Phillipi, Transport and West Wootaka. Onion cultivation will support the agriculture diversification programme that seeks to reduce the number of onions imported and provide food security,

especially in hinterland areas. The cultivation of onions under shaded and open field conditions will make all-year-round production possible. Varieties that are adapted to local soil types and ecological conditions are Mercedes, Red Creole, Yellow F1 Granex and Texas Early Grano. The sourcing of new varieties with desired traits and incorporating them into the already successful varieties provides a way of securing our future. Strengthening crop resilience, however, will require a combination of actions, including maintaining and expanding crop portfolios using both traditional and innovative approaches.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

THE SEAWALLS FOREVER!

THE Seawalls lie deep in the consciousness of Guyanese people, but especially Georgetowners. Yet it has rarely been noticed by the news media and the last time it was mentioned as an item of national concern was five or six years ago when the Ocean overtopped the wall and flooded the yards parallel to the Public Road. This was the first time in living memory that there was such an occurrence and it led to great panic. The authorities hurriedly constructed a barrier of standing concrete slabs on the Walls to counter such overtopping. In the last few weeks, the Seawalls have again featured in the news, but in a happier vein. From Camp Street to the Demerara River, the wall had become disfigured by an accumulation of unsightly garbage and no one assumed the responsibility of cleaning it. A homeless man, Carl Melville, who sometimes slept there was noticed by Dwayne Hackett trying to clean the garbage and immediately volunteered to help him. Hackett placed the incident on social media and immediately numbers of persons volunteered their services. First Lady Arya Ali was one of the first to volunteer and the Ministry of Public Works, the Director of Solid Waste Department of the Georgetown City Council and the Fire Service became involved with her. The Fire Service cleaned the bandstand and in a few days all the garbage was removed and Seawalls appeared as if they had always been maintained! Many have been high in their praises of this example of civic responsibility. The Seawalls had always been the promenade and park for the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from the last quarter of the 19th century and continued to be so until the 1960s when the country became plagued with political tension and there were robberies on the Seawalls. For most of the 1960s, therefore, fewer and fewer people visited the Seawalls. In its heyday, the Seawalls were the most delightful place in Georgetown. The vast openness of the seascape and the surrounding landscape, the blue skies and silver clouds, the ever-present seagulls and the steady flow of the health-giving trade winds and the enveloping peace and quietude attracted hundreds of people at all times of the day. The beach which

today is rather muddy was once covered with seashells and there would always be children exploring and picking up seashells of different colours; sometimes they may find large conch shells. The foreshore or continental shelf gradually rises and falls every 20 years and today, the foreshore land between Camp Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to the height of the wall and coconut trees and other vegetation grow on it.

Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land along the Kitty Seawall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial building is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, but the sea is under it. Old fishermen who set their nets on the foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and fall of the beach. The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enthusiasts. Many would go there to practise deep breathing of the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before

the sun had risen. On moonlit nights the Seawalls were always a crowded promenade. Many went to socialise with friends, but all went to enjoy the beauty of the moon rising from the sea and the blue-green moonlight which was brighter, since there were no road lights to dilute it. Others would enjoy the various phases of the New Moon with the background of purple skies embellished with thousands of stars which appear brighter since there were no city lights. Others would go to the Seawalls in the late afternoons to admire the sunsets gradually transforming into the blue light of dusk. Another of the joys of the Seawalls were the early evening Sunday concerts given by the Militia Band and the Police Band at the Bandstand which attracted hundreds of people. Their repertoire consisted of light classical music such as Strauss’ and other waltzes, ballet music such Delibes’ pizzicato and Sylvia, at least one English patriotic song such as “This royal throne of Kings” and Guyanese and Caribbean folk songs. The concerts were arranged for early evening so that children could attend; many Guyanese in later life have admitted that their first exposure to classical music was from these Bandstand concerts. On Easter Monday thousands of kite-flyers turned out from five o’clock in the morning. Kites were all hand-made and were in a variety of shapes such as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predominant shape was the Guyanese octagon and in a variety of colours. Singing engines, a kite which made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular. Kite-flying was always combined with picnicking. The Easter kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday. As mentioned above, the political tensions and criminality kept people away from the Seawalls in the 1960s. By the 1990s life had become more stable and people again began to frequent the Seawalls, but the ambience had changed. There grew up stalls lining the parapet of the Public Road from the Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and all of these stalls were well-lit. The character of the Seawalls had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. Now that the tourism industry is being revived, the Seawalls still offer an attractive attraction.

Research work helping curb... From Page III

timate for that area and in the space of 18 months, some 33 Giant Anteaters were identified. According to Millar, researching the animals included going out on horseback and following them from a distance to be able to stock up on more scientific information. One of the things they discovered is that the animals love to climb trees. “Everyone across the Rupununi assumed it was jaguars when they saw huge scratch marks on trees, but now we know that it could’ve been the anteaters, because our research shows that they love to climb trees,” Millar disclosed. The final stage of the research is what they’re doing now -- setting up a safe

zone in the village. “So we will work with the villagers to create certain rules and help them to know what they should and should not do. For example, no one is allowed to kill them, keep them as a pet, destroy their habitat, and light a fire in certain places, so that we can further protect the population.” The SRCS has been granted two years of additional funding from the Small Grants Programme Guyana to expand the project to three more communities, namely Shulinab Village, Wariwau Outstation, and Sawariwau Village. The SRCS uses the funding to pay the local rangers stipends and in some cases, hire them fulltime. The team has also recently released

several short documentaries called the “Secret Life of Giant Anteaters” and each episode focuses on different aspects of the work being done. Two more episodes are expected to be released this month. The team also does a lot of awareness work, including environmental education. They have another project for which they have designed an environmental education curriculum that has so far been implemented in four schools in the Rupununi and come this September, depending on the coronavirus pandemic, will be implemented to 12 other schools. “The wildlife is there. Guyana is so fortunate to have this rich biodiversity and we really shouldn’t

A close-up camera trap shot of a Giant Anteater (SRCS photos)

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CHRONICLE 10,20, 2021 CHRONICLEPEPPERPOT PEPPERPOT― ―Sunday, Sunday,January December 2020

THE MYSTERY SYSTEM OF CHRISTMAS The fraternity of the arts, Guyana A tale- of the From 2021human onwards... ethos

OF course, a commerTHAT we areit’s here is not cial period thatworld from of my unknown. The husbands theperspective, arts exists, whether in should the attention ads, skits,keep on Main Street in of stands on theat shelves theirorwives home of rather Austin’s Book Store,downand than walking through venues on town. I other think from experiRegent Street, or as ence that there arewalkmany in spirits galleries, in reference embodied in what to isthe brothers whospirit walkof defined as the and sell their work. We do Christmas, like the muses exist, but in the minuscule they have different catepercentage the national gories of of inspiration one consciousness as ‘beings’ of is ‘Shopping beyond the some importance. That we boundaries of necessity’ have marginalised ourselves and that inspiration tarby not being vocal is our getsThus, women. Mostredemen fault. we must have a list that includes the fine and explore the platstress-related bills, the last forms that can link us to the record read, realms of Ithe Artsmentioned beyond that men die more from the semi-exotic accommodastress-related illnesses than tion appendage designed for that’s because us women; during the colonial era, we’re born list and adjust, and with assertthis a new of not-to-dos define interpretation forthat ourselves. ‘manhood’: whine, Who are the don’t souls in the Fraternity of the Arts? Basicomplain, beg, cry, and cally creative minds, a stratum realise that there are no of ‘Sugar humanity that, for examMamas’ only ‘Sugple,arfrom the reference apex Daddies’ don’t become that designed one, or the Pyramids stress willand desculpted sacred imagery, and stroy you. wrote This medical that is a papyrus phenomenon influenced the ancient world, of Christmas not only in this referenceGuyana, but ‘Imhotep’, from larger then da Vinci; the musician and mathematician, Albert Einstein and numerous others across Asia and Mesoamerica, across timelines. In Guyana, this group is defined by playwrights, actors, artists, writers, IT designers, furniture designers, jewellery and fashion designers, industrial designers, engineers, recipe chemists and all who evolve with new and revolutionary

economies that to I’ve in items beneficial ourlived exisfor a while, wherejourneyed the enthutence who have siasm ofhard the work seasonbased compels through on an intoxication of unproven shopping. inspiration against ideas labouring the realms They, however,inhave a conofsumer the Intellectual privilege to Property take back Estate creating, items,towards rebalancing thefrom budwhich we/they benefit get into reality,should that provides livelihoods. What and where a favourable sober-up reare the places the landprieve. Fromand the beginning marks that human the creative minds of time, governance must venture into, and pay has instilled in populations attention to? for Theredemption; answer is the longing simple, and yet it requires thus, more so the longing an for inner spark of observation to divine intervention. Somebe cognisant of. These places how this has accounted for and landmarks constitute all theenvelopes remarkable that the presence moving, of shepherd Elders across changing world around and cultures. I inherited about us that impedes aonbook the published 1913 memory on comhistorical andin social parative religions Rev. challenging retainableby against Charles H. Vail titled ‘The forgetfulness, exploring the World Saviors.’ It tookthat me triumphs and tragedies some years to explore its constitute the national ethos, narratives and in-depth and the accomplished and conceltent on the similarity of ebrated presences that are the proven standards, from which unusual revolutionary souls the evolving elements of our that have emerged across all aesthetics must persevere human variations, Prophets, along sustainable guidelines, Messiahs, Avatars etc. It therein reststothe intuoccurred meultimate that cynical itive creative as Ichallenge am, thatfor it the is doubtful mind, as navigator and prothat there was a global extector of our ‘national change of this idea,being.’ since The currents the creative people hardlyoftravelled over mind flow into the awareness of those struggling against all odds to preserve who we are, the narratives that comprise the essays and records of our yesterdays, yes I empathise with the national archivist and share her rage on the loss of valuable records as a result of ignorance and absolute insensitivity to the obvious. Why this is even more necessary is the factor that

100 referred miles to to go on anywhere, I‘ve several except bywe seadon’t routes, occasions, keephere reand there, example, the cords; all ourfor pictorial records entireinBiblical geography reside private hands and are on It is of is eBay. located onthe theinterest African the individuals intend to continent. Thewho remarkable pursue film, graphic thing iscareers that ininthis very book storytelling even for docand others and after, there was umentaries we begin of to a common that denominator, understand the concept of aucommon birth timing, based thentic recordedastronomical graphic and on a specific illustrated reference records. uniformity for all these savI’ll However, share thisthe experience iours. essence my mother toldwho me of the birthalways of Jesus this story in good humour: would become the ‘Christ’ is she sang as a young girl, and rooted in our human culture there was this event when of the sacred, that echoes Johnny Mathis sang at City the relevance of areligion Hall, that she was part of. and the of Well thisconstant was longquest before change when the illuminathe television was a common tion dims, and said the business thing, and she that the of man-contrived gods usurp “pass for whites all crowded theinhigher exup front,responsibility believing he was pounded atsothe of the Caucasian, youbirth should see manifestation. their faces when he came on also that envestageChristmas and they realised he was Black.” lopes the old harvest fesThiscustom was a very humorous tival through the story to her.and After she passed cleansing preparing of away, I decided explore the home, whethertoowned or that other Georgetown;that her rented, acknowledging a Georgetown; a good way house is not aand home, a home to was to havewithin a lookthe at is start an environment the poster of that event. On walls, of souls with shared arriving Citycompassion. Hall I began empathyat and my enquiry, where I was met by curious expressions of bewilderment and what I call cordial confusion. No one knew what I was talking about. To my relief, after going a little further to convince myself that my mother didn’t make this story up, I went to the office of the late Town Clerk Mr. Fausette, who I knew well, who confirmed that the Town Hall was a

In another age,back we cleansed cultural haven in the andand treated tribal farmlands ‘40s ‘50s and yes, he had and waterways, shared food heard of the Johnny Mathis and gifts those less proevent. Butforunfortunately, noductive, bold records kept thatwe with are Christmas celebrate that aspect of the are still cued to the profound history of City Hall, for a symbolism that has or sustained matter nowhere us through the else, ages.as I’ve experienced not season Transport The Christ sumand Harbours, not Guyana Airways, and barely the birth to the current slow dying of our trade unions from a historical perspective, both

mons otherwise deeper text and the pictures/illustrations, contained of sad our where does it aspects exist? The nature: weshould think of gifts to fact is, that a young persons who have affected filmmaker decide to recreate any beyondtothe pastfami20 usscript positively, our years options would lies--his/her meaning spouse and beoffspring difficult. About threeothers; years -- and ago, I wassocial coming down despite media, we Smyth Street with by a close are still inspired beauyoung relative who I told that Saint Phillips once had a timid forest of Silk Cotton trees and some fool cut them all down, she replied “why?”

relevant I tiful reallyand didn’t want tofunny talk cards. WeI just must also think about it, so changed the of those out of employsubject. ment, those relatives I can for create a record beyond articlewe to illustrate andthis friends, apply an what I’m saying, especially old family custom; we do tothat thesub-ration minds involved in ‘thing.’ And the creative works of this See Page XXII nation, the responsibility lies in our hands, as Fanon prophetically stated: “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it, in relative opacity.”

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

Reckless and irresponsible behaviours in a pandemic

THE pandemic has forced me to constantly readjust my expectations of returning to normalcy because it has been such an enduring phenomenon. We’re living in these strange circumstances that we have to contend with, so that we can keep ourselves and the people around us safe from the devastating effects of COVID-19. And I understand how frustrating it is, but that does not warrant reckless and irresponsible behaviours. Last weekend was the ‘New Year’s’/ Old Year’s’ weekend and the weekend before, there were the Christmas festivities. These are usually times for social activities -- parties, religious services, and family gatherings. But this time around we were supposed to reduce our involvement in these activities, keep our celebrations small and avoid spreading the virus. We were expected to do these things to keep safe and there were even national guidelines in place, but we didn’t. As per the gazetted COVID-19 guidelines, we have a curfew in place from 10:30 PM to 4:00 AM and there is a litany of restrictions on social gatherings. Rum shops, bars, and such entertainment activities are a no-no. But it would appear as though these are just words printed onto a piece of paper and published into our official gazette for publishing’s sake, because these restrictions are being breached all the while. The massive gatherings continued and increased during the holiday season. And if that wasn’t bad enough, we’ve never been people who were diligent users of face masks and shields, and who knows how intentional we’ve been in sanitising ourselves frequently. It was both reckless and irresponsible because it meant that we were knowingly contributing to the spread of a virus that has claimed the lives of more than 160 Guyanese since March 2020. This pandemic has dis-

rupted the entire world, but for the sake of ‘vibes’ or a ‘good time’ we didn’t care if it meant we were exacerbating the situation in Guyana. Recently, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said that the health sector was preparing for a spike in the number of local cases, following the Christmas season activities when many persons failed to adhere to the national measures. The incubation period for the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) is approximately 14 days and this means that anytime we should start seeing an increase in the number of infected persons. Not only does this mean that more persons will be infected

sibility has always been paramount. Wearing my mask, sanitising often, and avoiding gatherings have been choices I made because I don’t want to contribute to the spread of the virus. And I think it has to be the same for us all. We have to be intentional about our efforts to protect against COVID-19. We can’t just wait on the President, the Minister of Health, or some public official to flip some switch and immediately cure Guyana of the coronavirus. It won’t happen. We cannot continue to be irresponsible with this virus and more so now that there is news of a more transmissible variant. This is, also, a new virus. This means that we

and possibly suffer from mild to severe symptoms, but it also means that there is a chance that persons who are vulnerable to the more devastating and life-threatening effects are increasingly at risk. Again, it was reckless and irresponsible to engage in these activities. I remember a few months ago, as I interviewing persons about their perceptions of the virus and the pandemic, they said things such as, “the government isn’t doing a good job” and “the government gon get money if plenty people get sick.” Then, towards the end of 2020, many persons hopped onto social media and called out the “double standard” of the enforcement authorities because entities were flagrantly disregarding the guidelines, while it seemed as though the average citizen was supposed to rigidly follow them. Public officials, too, were openly breaching these guidelines. For me, personal respon-

don’t wholly know the longterm effects it can have on each of us. Our best and safest option is to try, as much as reasonably possible, to safeguard against contracting the virus and help to mitigate the spread of it. Please continue wearing your masks, maintaining an appropriate physical distance, sanitising often and avoiding large gatherings. Protecting against COVID-19 is not only for our individual safety, but also for those around us. If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480, or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy. If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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HUSH, MY BEAUTIFUL ... From Page XII

was on his way home after a hard day’s work but he could not leave, a woman and child so late on the road. “Where to?” he asked. Priya gave instructions to her husband’s home. On the way, the cab driver shivered a little at the sudden chill in the car and noticing the tense silence of the woman and child, he said in casual conversation, “It’s a sad thing, the home you’re going to, the man’s wife died a week ago.” “How did she die?” Priya asked, her voice just above a whisper. “It is being said she committed suicide.” “Sad, indeed.” She agreed, in a sarcastic tone. The driver looking through the rearview mirror could not see her face clearly through the thin veil of shadow and realizing she wasn’t interesting in talking, he turned on the radio. A little while later, he turned off the main road, into a street, stopping at the second corner. “Your stop,” he said turning and saw to his surprise, the child was not in the car. “Where did she go?” he asked, puzzled. “She has returned to wait for me.” “What? How did she if I did not stop anywhere….” His voice trailed off, confused. Priya pushed the hair away from her face, the shadows lifting and words died in the driver’s throat as he looked into her, cold, haunting eyes, her voice, a hoarse whisper.

Guyanese Patriots with a Passion ... From Page II

involved must be applauded. “It was a great example of what can be readily achieved, when the public and private sectors make the effort to collaborate and support each other, for the benefit of the citizens and general environment of our Dear Land,” Ming emphasized. Since the original environmental upliftment of the area, Mings Products and Services (MPS), continues to clean and maintain the surroundings, setting an example for other corporate citizens. Part of the ongoing project is to remove rubbish weekly. I have seen this operation on many occasions and actually spoken with the MPS workers as they were carrying out their functions. Other corporate citizens that contribute to the on-going cleaning process of the city include Action Tyres, John Fernandes Ltd. and BANKS DIH, Ltd. I have witnessed BANKS DIH Ltd. workers cleaning the pavements around DEMICO in the Stabroek Market area regularly. The answer to the question as to why there are so many citizens who litter and build mounds of garbage with impunity is simple. They know that they will not be made to be accountable for their actions. If for example, a law is enacted by which anyone caught littering is taken to the City Police Station which is located in the City Hall compound and made to spend, let’s say just one hour seated on a bench, their photograph taken and filed in a “Book of Litterers”, such a practice should bring the unhealthy practice to an end. Of course, there will be those who will attack such actions by the authorities. There may likely be voices raised about “Human Rights.” But then why complain when the lawless continue their lawlessness! As the saying goes, “Strong medicine for serious sickness.” This article will be incomplete if I fail to mention that a very high percentage of pavement vendors clean up their immediate surroundings regularly. That is something which I have witnessed and checked on many occasions over the years. The hope is that many other corporate citizens will follow the example of Mings Products and Services Ltd., BANKS DIH, John Fernandes, Action Tyres and others in their efforts to improve the environment of the City of Georgetown.

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January 10, 2021 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student,

THOUGH

T FOR TODAY 1) Optimism is leads to achievethe faith that ent. Nothing can be donm e hope and confidwithout 2) Often, we loo ence. at the closed do k so long do not see the o or that we e that has been openednfo HELEN KELLErRus.

Welcome, dear friend. We are excited to have you continue employing the language this new year with our guidance. Did you find some time for useful reading during the Christmas holidays? We hope you picked up a novel or two from your bookshelf and found that they need light reading. Some can

be finished with, in a few hours. Such reading has value. Reading novels is another interesting way to fuel your story writing. Be committed to learning something new regularly. Love you. THE PASSAGE Reading for inference and other purposes Palmyra, our huge Shepherd, came home one evening with a severe limp. We washed and disinfected his cut paw, bandaged it, and watched him hobble into the living room where he stretched out to snooze before the fireplace. Next day Palmyra was still lolling on the living room floor – and the next day, and the next. Eventually, however, we decided that Palmyra would have to exercise his paw to prevent it from stiffening. When finally, he did consent to venture out, it was with the air of a martyr. Just as Palmyra tottered outside, our other two dogs spied a rabbit. Off they started with wild ear-splitting yelps – and in a second Palmyra joined them, tearing across the landscape, as limpless a dog that has ever chased a rabbit. When the three returned, Palmyra was frisking and cavorting in fine fettle. Suddenly he saw me watching him. He stopped dead still; his tail slowly dropped between his legs; his “injured” paw was lifted piteously. Tragically, Palmyra hobbled toward me, all set to be once a confirmed invalid with special pampering, which he had learned, accompanied with favoured status. (Adapted from story by Hildegarde Lemcke) Questions 1. Why did Palmyra stop suddenly? (paragraph three) (A) His paw was hurting. (C) He knew his master had caught him. (B) He was tired. (D) His master was angry. 2. Why did Palmyra go outside “with the air of a martyr”? (paragraph one) (A) His paw was hurt-

ing. (C) He wanted to fool his master. (B) He wanted the other dogs to feel sorry for him. (D) He wanted to chase the rabbit. 3. Why did Palmyra chase the rabbit? (paragraph two) (A) He forgot about his paw. (C ) He loved to eat rabbit. (B) He wanted to keep his paw from stiffening. (D) He was tired of resting. 4. Choose the best title for the passage: (A) “The Rabbit Chase” (C) “The Martyr” (B) “The Injured Paw” (D) “Caught in the Act” 5. This story was written to tell (A) why bogs need exercise. (C) about a very special dog. (B) about rabbit hunting. (D) how a dog tried to fool his master. POETRY The best words in the best way Let us turn your attention again to poetic writing. You were told that some masters of language describe poetry as: the best words in the best way. And you have already seen that some poetic works are profound in thought and therefore need deep searching to understand their levels of meaning. There are techniques that you can use for reading poems. And eventually, after much careful reading and studying of different poems, you become at home with the language. You begin to make meaning of what you read. You then see that a word or phrase, however it is used and wherever it is placed in a line is doing a specific work for the poet’s intensions. If you fail to work with the writer as you read, you may end up not appreciating the work and so lose a worthwhile experience. For instance, the poem below is deep, very deep. Read it [HW1]well, and read it long, and secure success in finding what ideas the poet is coining. ing

Not Waving but Drown-

Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larking And now he’s dead It must have been too cold for him; his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning) I was too much too far out all my life And not waving but drowning. (Stevie Smith) Something to Do 1. Let us talk about this three-stanza poem, each of four verses, written by an English poetess, Stevie Smith. Her work follows a rhyme scheme which deviates a little as she goes on expressing her thoughts. Discover the abcb scheme in the first stanza, defe in the second stanza, and gbhb in the third stanza. 2. Let us find out what power of thought is packed in this simple-looking poem. Are you now seeing the poem as very tragic, when you were thinking at first that it is lighthearted? What is tragic about it, and what makes it look lighthearted? Write your responses and then tell them to a study partner. 3. Let us talk about the reality that not all people you see leading a jolly life are truly happy, jokey, and secure. Talk about how pretense and bravery in a life of tribulation are used by some people you know. At what point in life do you think the dead man’s pretense began breaking down? Where in the poem is the dead man’s signal received as a friendly wave? How is the dead man described by the people? 4. The dead man is speaking to readers today even. Why is this depth of thought value-added power to the poem? Support your answer. [HW1]

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, January 10, 2021

How is your breath? HOW is your breath? Not sure? No doubt at some point each of us has had bad breath (halitosis) unwittingly, only to subsequently be embarrassed by the reaction of those around us. For any individual, the exact status of one’s breath can be difficult to determine. The reason for this lies in the fact that the oral cavity, the source of our breath, is connected to our nose by way of an opening which lies in the back of our mouths in the region of our soft palate. Since noses tend to filter out and ignore background others, it tends to filter out our own bad breath too. This means that a person can have bad breath and not be aware of it. If our noses can’t reliably help us judge the quality of our own breath, how can we determine if we do have bad breath? One solution is to ask the opinion of a spouse or significant other. In lieu of the availability of these individuals, you

might ask a friend or your dentist or dental hygienist at your next appointment. If you find this too personal a question to ask an adult, don’t overlook asking a child. As we all know, sometimes the least inhibited and the most honest responses come from children. Is there the way a person can test their own breath? There are ways to accurately smell your breath; however, you have to take a slightly indirect route. If you have decided on someone to give you an honest opinion as to whether or not you suffer from bad breath, then there is a scientific way to do the assessment. The test must not be done when you have just awoken, brushed your teeth, eaten anything within two hours or rinsed your mouth with water or mouth rinse. Next, do the test in a non-breezy environment. Have the person be in a position in which their nose is not more than fourteen inches from your mouth. Go ahead and speak normally. I suggest, for example, the National Pledge, the Lord’s Prayer, a popular poem, etc. There must be at least one minute of talking. The person doing the test must objectively analyse the smell of the breath of the person taking the test. Also, you may try this technique. Lick your wrist, wait for about five seconds while the saliva dries somewhat and then smell it. What do you think? That’s the way you smell, or, more precisely, that’s the way the end of your tongue smells. (Your tongue’s “anterior” portion). How was it? Did you pass this first check?

Now do this experiment? It will check the odour associated with the back of your tongue. (Your tongue “posterior” aspect). Take a spoon, turn it upside down, and use it to scrape the very back portion of your tongue. ( Don’t be surprised you have an active gag reflex, while the spoon is back there). Take a look at the material that has been scraped off, usually it’s a thick, whitish material. Now, take a whiff of it. Not so bad? Pretty nasty? This smell, as opposed to the sampling from the anterior portion of your tongue, is probably the way your breath, smells to others. A chemical known as volatile sulphur compound is what we smell in bad breath. Now gadjets are being sold online to test the presence and amount of this compound. So now you know, the fundamental cause of bad breath for most people is the whitish coating which covers the surface of the posterior portion of their tongue. More accurately, most people’s bad breath is caused by the bacteria which live in this coating. The second most

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common fundamental cause of bad breath is bacterial products which live and accumulate elsewhere in a person’s mouth, such as in cavities of decayed teeth, plaque on and between teeth, tobacco, alcohol or some foods such garlic or even, more rarely, diabetes.

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