Sunday, January 6, 2019 Anna Collins graduated from the Xi’an Jiaotong University with a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics and is now back in Guyana eager to serve her country. (Delano Williams photo)
Excited to serve Guyana
Orthodontist Anna Collins returns home
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
The Library, the Novelist, the Community and the Movement
New Amsterdam-born, Guyanese novelist Edgar Mittelholzer
By Francis Quamina Farrier THE four elements listed in the headline above, will all be in their 110th anniversary this year. They are the National Library in Former Chief Librarian, the late Gillian Thompson(left) and Author ER Braithwaite Georgetown; the Guyanese nov- (right) after the staging of “To Sir, With Love” at the National Cultural Centre in 2012 elist, Edgar Mittelholzer, of New branches of the National Library have been established at New Amsterdam; the Village of St. Ignatius in Region Nine and the Guyana Scouting Move- Amsterdam, Linden, Anna Regina and many other towns and ment; they all commenced in the year 1919. Novelist Edgar villages in all the regions of the country. During to past decade, the library in Georgetown has upMittelholzer, of course, passed in May 1965. graded its services to the public with computer and other modern facilities. Some of the other recent special projects by the THE NATIONAL LIBRARY The Guyana National Library which is located at the corner library included a presentation of the poems of A.J. Seymour of Main and Church Streets in Georgetown was founded in entitled “See More Poetry”, at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in 1909. The 7,000 pound sterling cost for the construction, was Kingston, to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the donated by the Scottish-American philanthropist, Andrew Car- poet on January 12, 2012. Another stage production was that of negie. He had a passion for literature and for making it possible the best-selling novel, “To Sir, With Love”, which was staged for those who did not have the means to buy books for their at the National Cultural Centre, also in 2012, and was attended reading pleasure and information, to still be able to read the by the author ER Braithwaite. One of the saddest days in the history of the National Libooks they desired, by becoming members of “Free Libraries” so they could borrow the books they needed. Over the decades, brary was on December 24, 2013, when the Chief Librarian, Gillian Thompson, was killed in a vehicular accident on North Road in Georgetown, while on her way to work. THE NOVELIST, EDGAR MITTELHOLZER The Guyanese novelist Ed-
gar Mittelholzer was born in New Amsterdam on December 16, 1919. He began his writing career in the late 1930s with “Creole Chips” in 1937 and “Corentyne Thunder” in 1938, which signalled the commencement of the novel in British Guiana (Guyana). Mittelholzer - whose heritage is from Switzerland, France, Britain and Africa - served in the Second World War. He was in Trinidad when he met and married a Trinidadian young lady and together they became the parents of four children. Edgar Mittelholzer continued writing while he lived in Trinidad, but felt compelled to sail to Britain and settle there in order for his writing to flourish with a much larger reading public. With the writing and publishing of popular novels such as “A Morning at the Office”, the Kaywana Series and “My Bones and My Flute”, Mittelholzer became regarded as the first successful novelist from the Caribbean region. But as time went by, he became disillusioned by harsh criticisms of his works, and after one failed marriage and being labelled “a problem novelist”, Mittelholzer took his life on May 5, 1965. His many fans included the famous Guyanese Poet A.J. Seymour, who organised the “Edgar Mittelholzer Lecture Series” to his honour and memory. THE COMMUNITY OF ST. IGNATIUS, RUPUNUNI The Indigenous Village of St. Ignatius, which is located immediately south of Lethem in the Rupununi, Region Nine was established by the Indigenous Macushi nation with support from Roman Catholic priest Fr. Kerry Eluise, SJ. Over the past 110 years, the community has grown from just a few thatched roof dwellings to a settlement with many more modern type structures. There is a church of the Roman Catholic faith as well as a school and other institutions. Quite a number of Giant Ant Hills are also at St. Ignatius. The Rupununi Rodeo was previously held at St. Ignatius before it was transferred to a more spacious location in neighbouring Lethem. THE GUYANA SCOUTING MOVEMENT The Scouting Movement was established in British Guiana (Guyana) in 1919 - one year earlier than in the United States. It attracted many young boys into its fold. “As a Scout, I was in the Pelican Patrol and we had a 10-man rowboat and a small sail yacht named “Roseann” - the name of Skip Gomes’ daughter,” said Clairmonte Griffith, who went on to become one of the founding members of the Guyana Defence Force. Griffith was also one of the scouts who participated in a parade that greeted Princess Margaret of Great Britain, when she paid an official visit to British Guiana in May 1958. Griffith also referred to the regular weekend camps at Camp Jubilee at the Base, Atkinson Field (Timehri), back in the 1950s and 1960s. Records reveal that Mabaruma-born Aileen Hintzen, is at present, the longest-serving member of the Guyana Scouting Movement and has attended many Scout Jamborees in the region and beyond, including her interactions with the Scout Movement in Ghana. She recalls Scout Leaders of the past, such as Fr. Bernard Darke, SJ; Fr. Robert Chadwick, SJ; Michael Perreira; Elsie Taylor; Flavio Comacho and Frank Emery, who also gave many years of service to the Scouting Movement in Guyana.
New Year,same hustle Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
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-Homeless persons speak on daily life in the streets
A homeless man called Eon (Samuel Maughn photo)
who does more work for an acceptable fee. This is called ‘hustling’. One female vendor who works at a snackette on Orange Walk, adjacent to the market, affirmed that some of the homeless persons usually assist vendors like her by doing menial tasks for a cheap fare. Henry, however, believes that 10 years living on the streets and ‘hustling’ is far too long. “I think I’m getting out of here [this year],” he exclaimed. “I’m going to go by my sister- till up the East Coast- and try to work and see if I can get a place to stay and go back to my normal life. I can’t handle out here; it’s too much pain for me.”
But while Henry has found hope of a better life because his sister is willing to help him, many others are not as lucky. AN EXTRA HAND At Sharda’s Stall on Robb Street, a few homeless men were helping her pack away her provisions. For the past 12 years, Sharda and her family have been selling provisions at this same spot. And during that time, without fail, homeless persons from the area would help them with odd-jobs. “We does give them work on a regular basis- every day actually- they does full water and fetch things for us,” the vendor said.
Turn to page VII ►►► Junior provides his services in transporting the produce of a market vendor (Samuel Maughn photo)
By Vishani Ragobeer FOR the past three years, 56-year-old Andrew Henry’s right foot has been infected by what he can only presume is due to the unsanitary conditions he dwells in and his lack of footwear. Now, that infection has spread to his left leg and the man shared, as a result he planned on “ringing in the New Year” at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to treat his condition. Henry is a homeless man. He spends his days (and nights) on the pavements around the Bourda Market, in Georgetown. “I’ve been out here for 11 years because of circumstances. I lost my family: my son, my mother and my father, and then they took away the house because I wasn’t paying my mortgage,” the man related.
Andrew Henry (Samuel Maughn photo)
Before he found himself living on the streets, Henry was a farmer. He planted cash crops- a variety of vegetables that he sold at the market after harvesting.
But he was so overcome with grief after the loss of his loved ones that his depression led to him losing his home. Calling the streets of
Georgetown his home after those unfortunate events, he still worked to get by- to carry on with life despite the circumstances he was faced with. Dwelling around the market area, he found odd jobs to do. “Out here, they work me like a donkey. I does fetch a bag or two bucket water for $100, but sometimes I does get $40 or $60,” Henry highlighted. The man noted that he became a devout recycler of bottles and cardboards during this time as well. There is no standard payment system, however. The money that he acquires daily, the “small change” as he calls it, is given based on the discretion of the market vendors whom he assists. Added to that, there are scores of other persons like him around here competing for these jobs. As such, it boils down to who is the better worker- the person
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Amelia’s Ward becoming its own economic hub
By Vanessa Braithwaite
AN increase in business establishments resulting in heightened economic activities in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, is seeing the community being transformed into its own economic hub. Amelia’s Ward consists of smaller communities and housing schemes such as Brazina; South Amelia’s Ward; Central Amelia’s Ward; Self Help Housing Scheme; Lovers’ Lane; First, Second and Third Phases and the ‘New Schemes’. The community has three nurseries, two primaries and one secondary school, a police outpost, a clinic, several churches, a pool, a mall and a radio station. Amelia’s Ward is located about one mile away from Central
ty has seen major changes in this regard with the establishment of several shopping centres. These include two new supermarkets, one gas station, a first class restaurant and other culinary spots. One of the main junctions in the community has seen residents taking the initiative of creating a little ‘Amelia’s Ward Market’ with several greens, fruits and ground provision stalls, a mobile butcher shop, a wash bay etc. These have been established in the vicinity of the two supermarkets and gas station and according to sources, an ATM machine is expected to be installed at one of the supermarkets. These establishments are saving residents from travelling to Mackenzie to shop, thus they are able to save time, energy and money.
The Lover’s Lane Junction where several vegetable, fruit and ground provision shops have been established by residents
oping geographically and growing in population size, but this, he noted, should be done in tandem economically. While he awaits the commencement of the 11th Council, Simon said that he has already started work on the ground and behind the scenes to ensure that whatever economic development takes place, it must be done legally and systematically. He has already identified a plot of land that can be used as a permanent ‘Amelia’s Ward Market Arena’ where residents can establish stalls and it can be monitored by the LMTC. “I have asked for a layout because what I want to do is to take a systematic approach, use a guideline pattern in terms of businesses being developed, it must be something uniform and
Amelia’s Ward and for outposts of public offices such as the post office, national library and other facilities to be established. One of the vendors who established a mobile stall at Lover’s Lane junction while giving a comment under anonymity, said that she recognised the area as an economic hotspot, after two supermarkets were established and decided to take the risk of establishing her business and since then, several others have followed. “I felt it was a good spot to set up because is a main corner and since then, business has been going good. We were having a little fight down from the council, a set of shops were broken down and so but what I am saying is come up with a plan to help people,
One of the two supermarkets established in Amelia’s Ward
Mackenzie which is the main economic centre of Linden. In the past, the lack of major business establishments resulted in residents having to journey to Mackenzie to conduct business and to do their shopping. TRANSFORMATION As of the latter part of 2018, the communi-
Recently sworn in Amelia’s Ward Councillor Lawrence Simon, in an invited comment, said that he has noticed the economic potential of the community and has noticed the initiative taken by residents to become entrepreneurs, which brings empowerment to themselves as well as the community at large. The community has been no doubt develA resident of Amelia’s Ward purchasing from a mobile butcher-shop at Lover’s Lane. In the past she would have had to journey to Mackenzie to make such a purchase
in order,” Simon noted. He said that the vision is to empower residents, especially women, to become entrepreneurs within the community which will create an impact on the high unemployment ratio. Through a Women’s Entrepreneurship Association, Simon, with the help of the Council, is hoping to collaborate with the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) to roll out training in this regard for women and youth. “We are hoping to get this done in a timely manner, we have already gotten some green light here and there, so what we are doing now is checking feasibility and so on.” His vision is to have a similar set up as that of Merriman’s Mall and to have periodic Amelia’s Ward market days, to attract the masses to Amelia’s Ward and to see the potential the community and its entrepreneurs have. Simon will also be making representation for other services to become available in
help people get somewhere permanent rather than to come and just chase away and destroy people stall,” she reasoned. The youth are also calling for the establishment of more recreational facilities and community centres. First-time voter, 18-yearold Reniah DaSilva of Amelia’s Ward voted at LGE because she wanted the council to prioritise on creating spaces for youth empowerment, development and clean recreation in Amelia’s Ward. In 2019, however, Amelia’s Ward should see the construction of a community centre to be funded by the United States Armed Forces under a project called New Horizons. Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell would have highlighted the absence of community centres during a previous visit to the United States. Amelia’s Ward was one of the two communities chosen because of its growing population.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Excited to serve Guyana
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Orthodontist Anna Collins returns home
Anna Alicia Collins at her graduation from Xi’an Jiaotong University with a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics
ANNA Alicia Collins was a “thumbsucker” for as many as 11 years! A rather pronounced opening of her front teeth destroyed the looks of her beautiful face, causing her to quit smiling and become self-conscious. Throughout the ordeal, though, she’d never given thought to the fact that this may eventually result in something very beautiful. Her mom, Marilyn, longing to see Anna’s smile and cheerful disposition once again, thought that they needed to do something about the situation, and subsequently took Anna to a leading dentist for help. The kind of treatment that Anna received from this dentist inspired her to pursue a lifelong career in dentistry. “A lot of people are afraid of the dentist and I was too. But the dentist I visited, his personality was so
cheerful. He was so pleasant and would explain everything that he was doing. So my interest was gained and I thought to myself I want to do that,” Anna expressed, during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine. Having spent some nine years of her life pursuing such studies in China, Anna returned home last August as one of Guyana’s few Orthodontists; someone who deals with straightening the teeth and jaw to make them align again. Now based at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre, Anna was born and raised in Georgetown and attended Stella Maris Primary and St. Joseph High. She then pressed on to the University of Guyana right after and pursued a Degree in Biology. Fortunate enough to receive two Government scholarships, Anna went to the Wuhan University in China where she pursued a De-
Anna was the only foreign student in her class with over 50 students
Orthodontic Department classmates. (From left) Students from Yemen, Guyana, Sudan and Pakistan
gree in stomatology/Dentistry. Growing up, she’d change her mind about different careers. Anna went through university with bracers and kept them on for more than five years. Looking back, she observed: “Parents allow their toddlers to suck their fingers because they think it is for their comfort, but that’s where the damage is.” Anna left Guyana around age 20 to attend the Wuhan University on a government scholarship, where she would spend the next six years of her life pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree. She returned home and served the government for two years before applying
to do her Masters’ Degree in Orthodontics right back in China at the Xi’an Jiaotong University. “The first time I spent about six years; one for language and five years for the programme. The second time, I spent about three years,” Anna recalls. ONLY FOREIGN STUDENT Anna faced challenges that she initially thought were insurmountable. For one thing, she left Guyana without knowing anything about the Chinese language and depended on a one-year training to teach her the language. The one-year training, which preceded the five-year course, taught her basic things such as how to go shopping in China, how to go to the bank, bargain and so forth. It was quite something else when it was time to be taught in Chinese, and when she was expected to speak and write in the language. “I was the only foreign student in a class of more than 50 students and so everything was done in Chinese. It was extremely difficult,” she said, adding that the textbooks and courses were all in Chinese. It was double the work for Anna because it meant that she would need to translate all the material into English to be able to better understand it. “And our university was quite strict because if you failed, they would cut your stipend and if you continued to fail, they would cut your scholarship.” She recalls that her first semester was extremely difficult. “Culture shock was the biggest challenge; being away from family, the language, the food. It’s not the same Chinese food we have here at all; the taste is totally different. Even after spending five or six years, some have not yet developed a taste for the food.” Returning home without achieving what she went there for, though, was not an option for Anna. “But you have to adapt. You’re here; you have to make the most of it. No matter what the difficulty is, you have to overcome it. Just focus and put your all into it,” she said. Turn to page XXIX►►►
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Baldness in women can be involuntary
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
It has no boundary for age or ethnicity By M Margaret Burke THE situation of bald head women in Guyana and elsewhere has been seeing some increase. While some women desire to have naturally short hair, there are those who have no choice – the hair just drops off, in some cases, leaving them confused and desperate. The fact is that this condition does affect both sexes, however, it is, perhaps, more common to see the condition in men than in women. Yet many women are losing their hair to the point of baldness, as others hustle to seek the assistance of their doctors, herbalists, as well as other chemicals to aid them in stemming the fall of their hair. WOMEN ALSO LOSE IT Dr. Orrisha Denbow, in an invited comment, told the Pepperpot Magazine that although hair loss among men may seem to be more of a prominent problem, women have problems too. While many women also notice the trend of losing their hair – by thinning-out or complete loss more in their 50s or 60s, yet
many of them begin to have the slowdown in growth or complete loss since in their mid-thirties or thereabout. She added that one immediate solution would sometimes be to opt for using wigs and this is what sometimes makes it less noticeable. She said that the average human sheds 50-100 strands of hair per day. Hair loss commonly occurs when there is a disruption between the cycle of hair growth and shedding. The hair follicle is then replaced with scar tissue as a result. “Baldness, on the other hand, refers to the excessive loss of hair from the scalp, which can be the result of hormonal changes, hereditary causes, medical conditions or side effects of various medications. Hair loss can occur in men, women and even children. It can also occur in various patterns, some being temporary, while others permanent,” she explained. Dr. Denbow went on to explain that one’s family history can affect the age at which people lose hair, the rate of hair loss and the extent of baldness at a specified age. She explained that there are certain exceptional cases of women experiencing thinning of the hair
from as early as their late teens or early twenties. But such ‘extreme’ cases and how thin it will become are determined by genetic and hormonal factors, which she suggested should be checked out by a physician. She stated further, “Hormonal changes can be as a result of pregnancy and may occur with hair loss that follows childbirth; after the child is born estrogenic levels may fall back to normal and so additional hair foliage drops out… problems with thyroid is another situation that can cause hair loss – an under-active thyroid or an overactive thyroid can cause thinning of the hair,” she offered. She went on to state that infection may
Dr. Orrisha Denbow
GENERAL CONDITION AND CAUSES Hair thinning in women is different from that of male pattern baldness, where men’s hair tends to recede from the forehead or the crown of the head, women tend to notice thinning on the top third to one half of the scalp. In this case, women may see a part that is gradually becoming wider or see more of their scalp than normal when their hair is pulled back. Therefore, although the front hairline is affected to some extent, except in cases where there is a normal recession, which happens to everyone as time passes, the hair loss of the women, fortunately, rarely progresses to total or near total baldness, as it may be with men. Some other causes for hair loss or balding in women can be hair dyeing, weaving, hairpieces, or a change in hairstyle, which can affect the very root of the hair. The problem could be due to an illness that was previously
Baldness in the centre of the head
be another reason for hair loss in the female and even baldness, where various types of infections may invade the scalp, which can lead to hair loss. TRAUMA Dr. Denbow said that ‘Traction alopecia’, which is a situation most commonly present in persons who pull on their hair with excessive force, for example, the use of tight ponytails and cornrows, which causes individual hair strands to become weak and break off, can lead to loss of hair volume and loss of the normal hairline. She went on to explain that ‘Trichotillomania’, which refers to the loss of hair by compulsive pulling and bending of the hair; an irresistible urge to pull out hair, is a problem that is normally present around puberty, and which can result in temporary or permanent hair loss. The use of drugs is also another reason why people may experience hair loss. She said, “Any drug that affects the normal hormonal body balance can have pronounced effects on the individual, resulting in hair loss. For example, anti-hypertensives, oral hypoglycemic agents, steroids, hormonal replacement therapy, as well as chemotherapy can all result in hair loss.”
Extreme thinning of the hair
undetected, a hormonal imbalance, or poor diet, but the sooner you determine the cause, the sooner you can correct the problem and stop the loss. The factors listed above can cause disruptions in the growth cycle of the hair follicles and resolving the issues causing the disruption will allow your hair to return to normal. Dr Denbow said that all women should put aside special time to take care of their hair, which is a very important aspect of their entire presentation and daily lives, regardless of length and texture. “There is beauty there, take care of what you have,” she urged. mercilinburke2017@gmail.com
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page III
Navin’s partner changes the diaper of their two-week-old son on the pavement where they dwell (Samuel Maughn photo)
But more than just giving these persons some work to do, the family has established a relationship with some of those homeless persons. The vendor indicated that there are a fixed set of persons that provide help to them because the family members have grown to trust and rely on them. Eon and Junior, both men- who have been homeless for more than 20 years- depend on these jobs to get them by. “I normally clean up the stalls- sweep around and pack up- every day from morning hours and then again in the night,” Eon explained. The small amounts of money he earns from doing this each day is what he uses to purchase his ‘daily bread’. And this is the same for Junior, who functions as a porter. But then there are other market vendors who do not wish to employ the homeless. Another vendor, Maxine [not real name] explained: “Everyday people does come there and bring tea, lunch and dinner for them [the homeless persons]. Sometimes people does
even come and take them to bathe and give them haircuts and so.” According to Maxine, who also sells at the Robb Street section of the Bourda Market, these homeless persons are not helpless people. In fact, she said they are just unwilling to “get up and work” and prefer to have an “easy life”. It is not an easy life, though. At least not for all. THE HARD LIFE On the pavement next to Andrew, 45-yearold Navin Mohammed rests on his cardboard. Mohammed has made the pavement around the market his humble abode for approximately 10 years. Speaking about his life out there, he said: “It’s hard, it’s tough… You gah be strong ‘cause a lot of things does happen to people out here.” According to him, many persons disrespect homeless persons daily because of assumptions they have. At nights, young boys
would come around the market area and taunt the people and even throw stones at them, often causing injury. “It’s dangerous,” Navin emphasised. “A lot of people does feel pain. Some get broken bones and some does die.” Two weeks ago, Navin and a homeless woman who is his partner welcomed a boy child into the world. But life out here is not fit to raise a child and they moved to a small living space in Sophia. It is the money that he gathers from doing odd jobs around the market that is used to provide for his family. According to him, it is not much, but it has to suffice for he has no other family to provide him with assistance. Added to the money he acquires from doing these tasks, he also explained that almost every day persons would come around to the market area and provide assistance- either in the form of food, personal care or money. As such, the couple comes out here daily- with the child. A local civic engagement group, Potluck is one body that provides relief to homeless persons each week. Each Sunday, the group- which is made up of mostly young students of the University of Guyana- provides a hot meal to homeless persons at various locations in Georgetown. Periodically, the group may donate clothes and personal care items. “The basic aim of Potluck is not only to provide relief to these individuals but to bring
VII awareness to the public about these people who would’ve once contributed some way to society,” the group’s Public Relations Officer, Jalana Hartman said. Further, the young woman explained that members of the public generally believe that all homeless persons are homeless because of drug/ substance abuse. “Though this may be true for some, it represents the minority [and] Potluck represents the voice of those individuals.” Between the hustling and the benevolence provided, homeless persons like Andrew, Eon, Junior and Navin eke out their living each day.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Meet Divya Doerga A 17-year-old with big plans DIVYA Doerga is goal-oriented. At just 17 years old, she already has a good grasp of what it is that she really wants out of life, and by all means, she is determined to remain as focused as she needs to be so as to turn her plans into realities. Divya, born to parents Vishnu and Davitri, is the only child and she believes that this has contributed to a kind of maturity that she would not have achieved had she had older siblings to depend on or receive help from. “I had to learn responsibility from an early age,” she recalled during an inDivya Doerga. terview with the Pepperpot Magazine at her parents business, Action Invest Caribbean, on Parade Street in Kingston. Furthermore, her parents allowed her to do things for herself as opposed to doing everything for her. “Growing up, they’ve never left me out of anything. Even at the age of six, if they are having a business conversation my dad would still ask, ‘What do you think about this?’ as little as I was,” Divya recalls, adding: “I am an only child so I learned responsibility at an early age because I had no older siblings to learn from and get help. Also, my parents allowed me to do things for myself instead of doing everything for me.” Divya attended Skeldon Primary School in Berbice and then went to School of the Nations in Georgetown. “I am still studying at Nations Sixth Form College doing business, economics and sociology. I’m also doing Nations ABE Programme which is like a business management programme. They have different levels. I’m in Level Five. I just completed three subjects, so I will do the other three [beginning in] June. With that, I will be able to do my degree in business management,” she explained. Come November, Divya is looking forward to doing a business coaching training in Las Vegas. “So that’s the big goal for the end of this year, and with that, I might actually be the youngest business coach in the world.” Explaining a business coach, Divya said: “A business coach doesn’t tell you what to do, but would you the business owners the right questions; they guide you.” Divya developed an interest in business coaching after seeing the positive effects that it has on persons who would have been coached. “My parents have been in business for the last 20 years and my dad got into business coaching about four years ago. I personally found it very interesting, especially seeing the results and the progress that comes from simply following systems. That’s a really good feeling.” Divya will be able to begin business coaching once she gets qualified in Las Vegas later this year. Last August, she attended the John Maxwell international certification which allowed her to become a certified John Maxwell speaker and coach. “John Maxwell is just a leader that I chose to follow. So I can use his teachings to add value to myself and others.” Turn to page IX►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
At the John Maxwell international certification last August.
Divya likes learning from her parents Vishnu and Davitri, and other family members who have been into business for many years.
Divya also wants to do something that will make a positive change in society, but she has not yet decided just what it is that she will do. When she’s older, she also plans on opening an animal shelter, owing to her love of animals. “I really like helping. I always find joy in making somebody else happy without looking forward to anything in return,” Divya said, who is very outgoing, “very loud” and who loves music and dancing, said. THE RIGHT PEOPLE Divya said that she makes it a point to remain focused on the tasks at hand. “I just get what I need to get done instead of being caught up in partying or things like that,” she expressed. While noting the importance of having a social life, she said she’d more often than not rather finish the important tasks first before doing anything else. “I actually sit down and write out my current situation. I put it on paper. I separate things to see what I need to do and things that are completely unnecessary. Everyone needs a social life and you need a break at times. But at 17, I think we kind of overdo it and think we are just out of school; and want to live life,” she said. By writing down her thoughts, Divya said this is her way of keeping herself on track. “This way, not only do I think about it, I get to see it.” The most important thing, she believes is to surround yourself with the right kind of people. “Even if you have goals, it is really easy, especially being at a tender age, to get influenced and you just forget the track that you’re on.” Divya also feels that education is first. “In this day and age without education, there’s really nothing that you can accomplish.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
A boat ride to Supenaam on the Kanawan Ferry The journey across the Essequibo River
By Indrawattie Natram THE Pomeroon-Supenaam Region is perhaps one of the most beautiful regions in Guyana. It is known for its agriculture and of course, its cleanliness. The Region - which is connected to other regions by waterways - and can be accessed by plane, water taxis/speedboats or ferries. Gone are the days when persons had to spend hours on the popular “Malali” and “Torani” to get to the region. Now, coming to the Pomeroon-Supenaam has been made easier and less time-consuming. Visitors who are in a hurry can take the water taxis/speedboats which only take 45 minutes, however, those who have some time or are transporting cargo can opt for the Chinese-made ferries,
Passengers disembarking the Kanawan ferry
Passenger Seeta Natram on the ferry deck at the top, overlooking the Parika Stelling
The ramp on the ferry
the “Sabanto” or “Kanawan” which take 90 minutes. The ferries were introduced approximately eight years ago by the previous administration to assist commuters and businesses residing on the coastland. The ferries are currently overseen by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure through the Transport and Harbours Department. They are very affordable and convenient for anyone considering visiting the Pomeroon-Supenaam region. MEMORIAL On December 31, 2018 my family and I boarded the Kanawan Chinese ferry. It was a wonderful experience after being on vacation for almost three weeks in the United States of America. The journey was quiet and refreshing compared to the trip we had on the Staten Island ferry. On the honk of the boat horn, Captain Singh signalled that the ferry was ready for sailing. During the trip, you pass the Leguan, Tiger, Troolie and Wakenaam Islands among many others. They are basically agricultural areas. By half way into the trip, you will most likely pass the other ferry going in the opposite direction with its own passengers. On your way also, you will see many fishing boats, speed boats and other vessels crossing the same direction. Beautiful, colourful birds will also welcome you as you make your way to the Supenaam Stelling. You will also notice countless mangrove trees on your way that have formed into a natural sea defence. As the journey draws to an end, the captain would honk the boat horn making sure that his pathway is clear. At the end of the 90-minute journey, the mooring will take place. This is done by staff members unwrapping the ropes
Indrawattie Natram with captain of the Kanawan ferry, Mr Singh
and dropping of the ramp. When that process is finished, passengers are allowed to disembark followed by vehicles. The captain then comes down and ensures that everything is okay. After walking from the boat through the gates of the Supenaam Stelling you have arrived at the warming Essequibo Coast and will be approached by taxis or bus men who will take you to your destination.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
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Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha reaches out to Wakenaam children
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dr. Vindhya Persaud presenting one of the bags to a little girl on the island
The Dharmic Naujawan team that was involved in the Back-to-School drive on the Island of Wakenaam
CONTENTMENT was seen on the faces of hundreds of children living in the agriculture Island of Wakenaam in Region Three (Essequibo Coast-Essequibo Islands) when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dharmic Naujawan reached out to the children living on the Island. Approximately 180 children benefited from school supplies on the island. Joining the youths on the Island was President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dr. Vindhya Persaud who said it was a very fulfilling day for her, and she felt blessed to be amongst the people of Wakenaam. During her visit, she interacted with youths from the area and encouraged them to stay in school. Dr. Persaud said that the school drive which was hosted on December 29, 2018, was the drive for the Dharmic Naujawan which is
Children involved in a session of Yoga
the youth arm of the organisation- and she, therefore, congratulated the youths from both Central and Essequibo Coast for organising same. She also expressed gratitude to the president and members of the Melville and Zeelandia Mandirs for their support over the years. During the interactive session, youths were involved in games and yoga. Children received bags and other school items to start off their January school term. Many of them expressed gratitude towards the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for reaching out to them, especially during the busy holiday period. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a religious organisation that was formed by the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and is 45 years old. The Dharmic Naujawan has groups throughout various regions in Guyana.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
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‘You have to have a different mindset’ By Gibron Rahim
THE decision to start a business can be filled with uncertainty. There is a degree of self-doubt that must be overcome. This was definitely the case for Joan Butcher when she decided to start Butcher’s, her brand of seasonings. Joan is overcoming her doubts to establish a lasting legacy. The business is registered as Butcher’s Jerk Seasoning, Dry Spices and Flavoured Pepper owner Joan Butcher told the Pepperpot Magazine. The brand is known as Butcher’s, however. “Because I know I’m going to renew the licence this year, my brand is ‘Butcher’s’,” Joan said. She currently has two products she is preparing to offer to the market – Butcher’s Jerk All Purpose Seasoning and Butcher’s Jerk Seasoning. “It’s not launched as yet, it will be launched pretty soon.” She explained that once she acquires some final papers for her barcode she will be ready to launch. Joan’s idea for her business was born out of classes taught by Dr. Sonia Noel, the first of which was titled “Confidence Becomes You”. However, Joan noted that she was first inspired by Dr. Noel’s book “Living with Intention”. “It really opened my mind, it touched me,” Joan stated. She started to cry from the very first page. Joan explained that the experiences related in the book were similar to the difficulties she herself was currently facing. “I had some challenges and I didn’t know how to deal with it,” she said. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that people she would tell her story to would look down on her or laugh at her behind her back. Being a part of the Confidence Becomes You class inspired Joan. She recalled that one young lady in the class related that she loved cleaning. Joan related that Dr. Noel suggested to her that she open a cleaning service. This made Joan question herself to ascertain what her own strengths were. “And I said to myself ‘I like seasonings’,” she said. She explained that she had always enjoyed grinding and experimenting with her own seasonings. Joan decided that she would make that into her business. Joan’s first goal was to gain more knowledge. This she started by being part of the Women in Business Expo 2019 launch and the Women’s Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Both these experi-
There are multiple benefits to owning her own business, according to Joan. For one, it gives her something she can fall back on should her services as a teacher no longer be required, even as she continues to give her best in that capacity. “I will continue, and even better, to serve my country and to serve the school that I’m at,” she made clear. Additionally, “Owning my own business, my intention is always to leave a legacy,” Joan stated emphatically. She related
Joan’s seasonings
ences have been invaluable to her. Most profoundly, she recalled just sitting down one day and having the epiphany that she could make it. She recalled that her friend Melba Dabadur, a designer and entrepreneur in her own right, gave her insight and guided her. With her help and the encouragement and guidance of Dr. Sonia Noel, Dr. Colleen Bovell, Rehana Hodge, Latoya Barton and three colleagues, two named Reona, and Leslie Ann, as well as the help of her label designer Anil, Joan pushed forward with her business. Butcher’s had its true start one otherwise unremarkable morning, according to Joan. She recalled waking up one morning and deciding to go to the market to buy the ingredients she needed. She gave a few persons to sample. They were impressed and she was told her product would make the market. There were other steps, of course. Joan first had to register her business as well as acquire her food handler’s certificate. Joan’s journey so far has not been without its obstacles. She noted that she is a retired headteacher and is also currently a teacher at the Harold B. Davis Special School. Her job responsibilities have meant that she needs to manage her time carefully. Additionally, “I think I had the wrong mindset,” Joan said. “If your mindset is not right, there’s nothing that, for me, can make you go forward.” That is where Confidence Becomes You was a real help to Joan. She affirmed that the class changed her entire mindset. Joan also pointed out, “We have a way of looking for ‘big money’.” She explained that people often have the belief that they need a lot of money to start a business. However, she realised, “You can start small and from starting small you develop yourself and that is what I did.”
Joan Butcher
that, though she has no chil-
dren, her uncle Basil Butcher is a former West Indies cricketer. She hopes that her business will continue the family legacy. Overall, she said, “I would be a better person because I know what the sacrifices would be.” Joan’s advice to anyone looking to start their own business is to put God first. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything will be added unto you,” she said. “I am a disciple of Christ.” One’s relationship with God is very important
she noted. She also pointed out, “You have to have a different mindset.” A positive mindset is necessary. She noted that it may also be necessary to stop associating with friends who do not encourage personal growth and go for one’s goals. “You must know what you need to do in life,” she said. She added, “Once you’re confident about yourself, anything can be done. Know what you like or what you love best and go for it.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Accept yourself! I HOPE we are all keeping up with our resolutions. Many readers have shared their resolutions with me – to further their education, increase self-esteem, meet someone new, lose weight etc. Most of them are plans for the long-term but causing current distress. I realised that one resolution, at the backbone of them all, and that will ensure an easier transition from where you are now to where you want to be- a resolution of self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is crucial to good mental health and our general well-being. How many of us can say that we genuinely like our-
selves? That we like the way we think, look or speak? Sadly, my guess would be not many – which I hope will begin to change from today onwards. Self-Acceptance means that we embrace all parts of ourselves; that we unconditionally love our flaws and all. We often say to ourselves “I will be okay when I make more money”, “I will be okay when I lose 10 pounds”- this is not self-accepting. Rather, it is about being content with the here and now and not based on any changes in the future. It does not mean we become complacent and accept the things we want to change- we can still make efforts to change what we want to.
However, during this process, self-acceptance means we are fully aware of our weaknesses and limitations but do not let them define who we are. It means that we are satisfied with who we are, practice zero judgement and instead treat ourselves with compassion, understanding and empathy. If you currently do not practice self-acceptance, it may not be entirely your fault. Some theorists say that our self-acceptance is developed throughout our childhood and is largely determined by our relationship with our caretakers. If those relationships were unhealthy in any way- consisted of abuse, neglect, or unacceptance, it would be difficult to accept yourself or develop high self-esteem and self-worth. However, if this is your situation, it doesn’t mean that you are doomed as there are indeed things you can do to practice or increase self-acceptance. With self-acceptance come a happier demeanour, healthier emotions, regulated moods, better relationships, higher self-esteem and feelings of independence. This means that our feelings of fear, criticism or failure will decrease if not eliminate altogether. All of the above decrease the possibilities of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. When we accept and actually like who we are, we stop comparing ourselves to other people- something that many of us do and is a source of unhappiness. We break free of the prison we are in, that of wondering what other people think of us. Self- acceptance comes with the understanding that the only approval we need is our own. It may be easier said than done but anything is possible through practice. How do we learn to accept ourselves? Just like any skill, through rituals that we can practice every day. First of all, acknowledge what you bring to the table. What are your strengths? We all have strengths – what do you respect about yourself? What are you good at? What do people come to you for? What have you done that you once thought you couldn’t? If you are unsure, it’s okay to ask those around you. Everyone has a role in someone else’s life and recognising and accepting yours is a fantastic starting point.
I urge you all to consistently acknowledge and celebrate your strengths as many people tend to focus on negative characteristics. Everyone morning, write down a strength that you have and watch the list grow. It’s a feel good, reminder list so you can write down pretty much anything that makes you feel good - anything you have accomplished, all of the adversities you’ve overcome or any good deed you have done. Create a healthy support system and social circle. This means staying away from people who bring negativity or create self-doubt in your mind as you probably do that enough on your own already. Forgive yourself for any wrongs you have committed or any flaws you feel you have as regret that can prevent self-acceptance. Practice mindful meditation as it is specifically for acceptance. There are multiple examples that you can access online by a simple google or YouTube search. If you do not have internet access, it simply entails taking some personal time in a comfortable, quiet place. While paying attention to your breathing, focus on what’s going on around you and then on to what’s happening in your life. The point is relinquishing power to the situation and accepting it as it is- without judgement or plans to change for now. I found a brief exercise online that is recommended to try every day. “Find a comfy chair to sit in quietly for a moment and just notice your body, your arms, legs, torso and head. Then focus on your mind, your thoughts, feelings and sensation. Once you have done this just allow your self-awareness to sink in and then let a smile creep across your face as you tell yourself: This is me and I’m completely ok with that It may take a little practice, but once you are able to do this, and truly feel that acceptance of self-inside, it will give you a huge sense of relief. It’s like a wave washing over you, calming your body and mind because it feels good to be you.” Did you try it? Wasn’t it wonderful? Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
The power of the people EACH day brings new opportunities to be harnessed but I truly believe that there is just something about the earth making another complete rotation around the sun that makes the thought of a new year so special and inspirational. At Christmas time, I believe persons are inspired by the season of goodwill and that explains why many people are enveloped by this spirit of benevolence. But then comes the New Year, where it seems that people are now more focused on self-development. I mean, have you seen the gyms? Or the National Park at afternoon time? And people like me suddenly need a full six hours of rest, each night! I say both of these things to underscore that whatever people to do, they do- albeit, sometimes with a little external motivation. And that is truly the power of the people. Now on January 5, a meeting was set for young people to meet and discuss the way forward for youth in Guyana. This meeting was devoid of any political players and wholly organised by young people with the aim of fostering greater youth civic and political engagement. This mobilisation of young people came at the heels of the no-confidence vote brought against the incumbent government and the possibility of regional and general elections sooner than expected. I believe that for too long young people have been tokenised by politicians. Parties run on promises of jobs for youth, development for youth, training for youth and the whole nine yards. Young people even got a National Youth Policy which was supposed to guide efforts directed at youth development- yet, years after this was passed in the National
Assembly, it is mostly unheard of. It is at this juncture that the mobilisation of young people by young people on their own is brilliant. Instead of waiting to be tokenised once more, this demographic- which is both the largest demographic and arguably has the largest number of floating voters- will now call some shots. And rightly so, because they have become cognisant of their value and importance to any political party that aspires to claim the seat of government. This is truly brilliant and it is an amazing time to be a young person in Guyana. Over in Uncle Sam’s country, I was really inspired by the campaign run by now congresswoman (and the youngest one ever, as well!) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th congressional district. Ocasio- Cortez, supported by a large volunteer body, unseated a longtime Democrat by literally going house-to-house and soliciting support from people, one-by-one. Ocasio-Cortez also ran with the staunch mandate of not collecting donations from corporate lobbyists. Instead, she chose to tap into the ‘small’ men and women in her district. For me, personally, I admire the young woman’s approach. Though she stands on a socialist platform advancing policies that might not be easily digestible for all, she has effectively illustrated the strength found in the will of the people. And the final example of the power of the people I’d like to draw your attention to is the creation (or expected creation) of two new political parties. These parties: A New United Guyana (ANUG) and the Liberal and Justice Party (LJP). I won’t put my head on a block and say that these two par-
ties are going to be the solution that Guyana needs because I have no knowledge of their plans and proposed policies. What I do know, however, is that both of these groups were formed because of a deficiency they believed was found in the current political system and they responded to that. On the topic of the power of the people, I have spoken extensively on the efforts being made by youth. This is not just because I am more inclined to youth mobilisation outside the parameters of political bodies, but because young people are showing that you really have to just get up and go after the things you need- it will not just be given to you. My girl, Ocasio-Cortez has shown that as a public official, she understands how strong and effective mobilised people can be. This is a tactic that should be used by all of the political players- in the best interest of the people. All current political parties, in my opinion, are positioned to grasp the support of the people should they truly accept the power the people wield. And more importantly, people need to always remember the inherent power that they hold.
A unique eye for photography Ravindra Racktoo
A geologist that’s nifty with a camera. That’s the goal (at least for now) for 20-yearold Ravindra Racktoo. Currently, he is studying in the field of engineering at the University of Guyana (UG). Academics aside, however, Racktoo posits that he is a creative individual. He dabbles in photography, graphic designing, illustrating, video creation and traditional art. Of the set, he might be best known for his photography. “Trying new things with my photography is something that brings me joy. I really don’t like the clichéd things and try to avoid them as much as I can, and in doing so I try my best to be unique,” the young man related. In photography, he loves shooting landscapes but is also inclined towards street photography and portrait shots. And his love for the art form actually started out with him fiddling around on a Blackberry cell phone, a few years ago. “I was searching for a hobby and I knew I loved something within art
so I tried out mobile photography with my phone- which was a blackberry at the time. I loved the feeling which came after I took an image which I thought was amazing and I couldn’t wait to share it with everyone,” Racktoo noted. From there, he invested in camera gear and has worked to improve his craft each day since then. According to him, the aim has always been to create unique photographseven if the image is something (or someone) that has been portrayed over and over again. And there are a few things he does that makes him just a bit different from the multitude of young, local photographers. “I think what makes me different is my determination to be unique,” Ravindra said. “I never have one way of capturing or processing images. Every image, in my opinion, should tell a different story.” Whether it’s manipulating colours or identifying small components that make a big difference in a photograph, Racktoo strives to tap
into several factors to distinguish himself. Added to that, he believes what also sets him apart is his foresight ability. According to him, as he frames and captures an image, he already knows that he wants the final image to appear like. “My dream is to capture and create photographs which would hopefully be up for exhibition someday- or if possible, create my own gallery someday,” he shared. For him, there is probably no better feeling than finishing a piece and looking at it repeatedly and just thinking to yourself “I can’t believe I did that.” And the opportunity to exhibit those wow images is what he considers “the best thing ever”. And he wants to continue striving to create these unique images because each photograph gives him the opportunity to express himself since what people see is part of who he is, he affirmed. Additionally, he highlighted: “I hope that someday my photography can change people’s lives by hopefully bringing awareness to things
which might be having a negative impact on people.” Currently, however, the young man is not sure if he wants to make photography his full-time profession. But according to him, one thing is for sure- he will never let it go! In fact, photography ties in with his current professional aspirations in geology. “Ever since I was a child, I was always intrigued by the earth and I’ve always found its features quite fascinating. So I just wanted to be involved in a field which will bring me closer to the earth than ever be-
fore, and my job could possibly help me to understand it even more too,” he explained. Further, he said: “This also ties in photography for me because landscape photography is actually my favourite genre and it’s where I started before I did portraits and I continue to do it to this date.” In about another 10 years or so, he knows he is going to be rediscovering the earth like he’s never done before- and he’ll have his camera by his side to show everyone the planet the unique ways he sees it.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Investing in the Public Service PUBLIC sector employees are held to high standards for obvious reasons; after all, they form the machinery through which the Government serves its citizenry. A professional and effective public service is important not only in terms of the delivery of Government services, but it is also critical in ensuring that taxpayers’ monies are not wasted. In short, Governments are simply handicapped without public servants. In fact, there are no menial or less important public sector jobs. Every single tier in the public sector hierarchy is important. From earlier on, President David Granger recognised the vital role of the public sector and committed to building a public service that is well-trained, professional and “unbribable”. Today, this quest is more important than ever as Guyana prepares for first oil and to become the hub of the Caribbean with its enormous oil and gas potential. This sector will see an increase in the demand for a proficient, efficient and professional Public Service. Citizens’ access to public services – such as public education, public health, public infrastructure, public security, public telecommunications and social protection requires the existence of an impartial Public Service. Public servants are essential to the country’s administration since they exert direct and daily influence on the lives of Guyanese through various official agencies, boards, commissions, departments and ministries. It is, therefore, the Government’s mandate to ensure that a professional and efficient Public Service is created and the David Granger-led administration has given its commitment to ensuring that this is accomplished. To demonstrate its commitment President Granger, upon his assumption to office in 2015, established the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service (BCCPS), which has been tasked with moulding persons interested in joining the Public Service into efficient, professional, unbribable employees of the State. President Granger has described the Public Service as the muscle of public administration, noting that it serves the public good. “It ensures the efficiency and efficacy of the delivery of public services. It is responsible for advising and assisting ministers of the Government; implementing government programmes and projects; delivering public services such as defence, education, health, infrastructure; security; telecommunications and other services to the population at large and executing public policy are intended for the benefit of the people,” he said at the
President David Granger and members of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal
swearing in of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal in 2017. In his address to the National Assembly on October 13, 2016, President Granger said that the Public Service cannot be disassociated from the concept of public trust and must be composed of men and women of intelligence, integrity and impartiality if it is to enjoy public trust and to achieve its administrative objectives. “Public trust encourages active citizen participation in society and the economy. It makes public agencies more accessible and more accountable. Reliable public services inspire public trust and create a favourable environment for human safety and for the functioning of businesses thereby contributing to well-functioning markets, economic growth and, consequently, a high quality of life. Public services are essential to citizens’ quality of life. Public services involve public trust. Citizens expect public servants to serve the public interest with integrity and reliability in order to manage public resources efficiently,” he said. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who shares some responsibility for the Public Service, has echoed these sentiments, noting that the Government is looking for men and women with integrity to lead its public service. “The new Public Service, therefore, has to
be able to deliver in an administratively neutral way and has to be established firmly on the basis of merit and political impartiality. It must also possess expert knowledge and a high standard of academic education. In addition, it should consist of men and women of integrity who are reliable and willing to give advice without fear or favour, partiality or prejudice,” he said at a guest lecture in November titled, ‘the Realities of the Guyana Public Service’. TRAINING Executive Director of the College, Mr. Randolph Leitch, in an interview, said that although the initial training programme being offered will be focused on entry-level public servants, it will also be provided for those at the middle and senior management levels in time to come. This will be undertaken in collaboration with the Government of Canada and the governments of some Caribbean countries for high-level management Public Servants “to produce a quality of individual that can serve the Region”. “The Staff College is not just for the Cadet programme. It is for all levels but we are starting with the Cadet programme. It is for the senior levels, it is for the Middle and Junior levels and Technical levels, but we are only starting now because of resources. So, we are recruiting at the entry level and
down the line, we will go into it because everybody would have to be trained in the Public Service. We want to be able to get to the learning needs first because the learning needs are more than training needs,” he said. The one-year entry-level programme students are currently being trained in 17 subject areas in a format that includes six months of classroom training and six months of practical instruction. Among the courses being taught are Quantitative Methods, Accounting and Budgeting, Introduction to the Environmental Management and Conservation in keeping with Guyana’s push for a ‘green’ agenda, Social Studies, Language and Communication, Aspects of Guyanese History, Information Technology, Introduction to Public Service, the Economy of Guyana, Customer Service and Ethical Considerations, Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, Stress and Anger Management, the Legal System of Guyana, Leadership Skills for Public Servants and Local Government Systems in Guyana, among others. Mr. Leitch said that more than that, however, “we are also targeting attitudes, values and behaviour and making it into a total package. We are also looking at having counsellors…because we are bringing people from all backgrounds and our job is to mould them. So, it should be a total package,” he said. The Executive Director said the College
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The 2018 graduating class of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service
wants to ensure that jobs in the Public Service are not just seen as a means to an end but rather, a career path. The training, therefore, is aimed at creating and providing the motivation along this line. “Not everything is taught to you in context in high school so when you come here, we put things into context for you so that right off the bat you understand where you are and … you know what is happening around you. It is a systems approach that we are taking. We are giving them possibilities and helping them to see where they can contribute and how they can make that contribution,” he said. At the end of the training period, Cadets will be sent on three-month attachments across the various Ministries and Departments. At the end of this period, their performances will be reviewed and successful individuals will be permanently inducted into the system. The Staff College boasts 25 staff members, eight of which are Trainers and five of which are Study Coordinators. Mr. Leitch said that in order to ensure that the aims and objectives of the training are realised, the trainers are all skilled and qualified professionals. “All of them have Master’s Degrees … and they also have public service backgrounds. We’re also bringing in persons from the University of Guyana,” he said. While the College currently offers only a Certificate of Completion, the administration has designed the courses with credit hours and is assiduously working to acquire accreditation from the National Accreditation Council (NAC), in an effort to forge a partnership with the University of Guyana to afford successful Cadets exemptions in some subject areas at the tertiary institution should they choose to further their education. ENROLMENT PROCESS In order to become a trainee at the College, persons must follow the due process. Mr. Leitch explained that advertisements are made after which the applications are perused and shortlisted. These applications are forwarded to the National Panel, which consists of the Permanent Secretary, the Executive Director of the College and three other individuals. The applicants are then invited for interviews and then further shortlisted. The Executive Director said that the process is transparent and every individual is given an equal opportunity. While several studies have been conducted on the Public Service, the first of which was done in 1968 by the late Bertram Collins, after whom the intuition was been named, the College has been revamped based principally on the findings and recommendations of the 2015 Harold Lutchman Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service. The Government has considered this wide-ranging
report and plans to implement the 89 recommendations made therein in three phases to make the Public Service much more effective and subservient to the needs of the Guyanese people. The new entrants are particularly pleased with the level of the training to which they have been exposed over the last few months. Mr. Otto Vaughn, who hails from the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) area, in an invited comment, said that the initiative by the Government must be commended as it has now created opportunities for the younger generation. “I think that this programme is wonderful. When I came to the interview and they told me what all of it was about, it raised my interest and I started thinking about what it
and to reform the Public Service. The experience has been new, good, empowering, edifying, it had truly been an educational journey. I think this is a very good initiative especially since it focuses on the young minds because we know that the young people are the future and we need young, vibrant minds to go and reform the Public Service,” she said. In December last year, the College churned out its second batch of 60 graduates, all of whom are ready to contribute meaningfully to the Public Service of Guyana. The BCCPS is intended to be the driving force to transform Guyana’s Public Service into a professional institution to serve every citizen with integrity, impartiality, objectivity and corporate identity. Additionally, President Granger in 2017,
to challenge unfair and unjust promotions, dismissals and other disciplinary action by the Public Service Commission,” the President said. He also swore in the Public Service Commission, where he stated that the Public Service Commission’s task is to ensure the establishment and existence of an impartial Public Service by insulating public servants from political influence and interference. “The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Article 201 (1)) vests the Public Service Commission with “... the power to make appointments to public offices and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices…”. The Public Service Commission promotes a professional Public Service by en-
Public servants at a training workshop
can do for me. I would like to applaud the Government for this initiative because I was unemployed for about three months and I saw the advertisement and decided to take a jump at it. It is wonderful what they are doing and they should continue doing things like this,” he said. Ms. Ashmina Hassan is looking forward to creating a new environment in which public services are delivered and she is optimistic that through the training and opportunities provided by the Government, this can be achieved. “We are the first batch and we are looking forward to going out there when we graduate
swore in the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, which is required to hear appeals from any decision of the Public Service Commission in respect to the “appointment by promotion of any person to a public office” and the “exercise of disciplinary control over any person providing or acting in any public office.” “The Public Service Appellate Tribunal is an essential element in the system of public administration. It is a necessary mechanism for ensuring professionalism and fairness in respect to promotions and disciplinary actions in the Public Service. It affords public servants recourse, other than through the courts,
suring that its appointments are based on the principle of merit rather than political patronage and that disciplinary action and removals, when necessary, are just. The Commission can enhance the professionalism of the Public Service by appointing public servants who evince the qualities of impartiality, integrity and intelligence,” he had said. Members of the Public Service are the backbone of most, if not all Government offices. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of public agencies. Their service to the country is invaluable and the Government of Guyana is fully cognizant of this fact.
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Region Two mothers usher in 2019 with their bundles of joy
Shameeza Yusuff and her relatives excited over her newborn
AFTER months of anticipation and preparation, three mothers living in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) expressed joy and
excitement after being blessed with newborn babies for 2019. Delivering the first baby girl was 18-year-old Inez Benjamin of Riverstown Village on the Essequibo Coast. She had a C-Section and during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, she explained she was in pain but was excited to begin the New Year with a baby. She said her husband, Kishan Lall, was excited having heard the news of their second baby. Benjamin’s baby weighed approximately 1.4 kg (3 lbs) and was categorised as premature. When asked how was the experience delivering a baby for the second time, Benjamin said that it was quite an entirely new experience for her, “I think this pain was more than my last baby’s pain but it’s all part of the process. I endured and I am happy it’s over with,” she said. The second baby was delivered by Shameeza Yusuff around 04:05 hrs on January 1. Yusuff was excited for her seventh child. The 30-year-old mother said that she loves children and motherhood is something that every female should expe-
rience. She had a normal delivery and her baby girl weighed 2 kg (4.4 lbs). The third baby was delivered by Samantha Miguel from Lower Pomeroon at 05: 23 hrs on January 1. Miguel’s baby was the heaviest and weighed 11 pounds. That mother endured the pains and underwent C-Section. At the time the Pepperpot Magazine visited, the mother was in the emergency room and the baby was being taken care of by nurses in the ward. The mothers explained that having a baby on the first day of a New Year is truly a divine intervention and blessings directly from the Almighty for them. All the mothers were in loud praises to the nurses and doctors attached to the maternity ward of the Suddie Public Hospital. The mothers said the nurses displayed patience and care during their stay. For these families, having received a newborn for the New Year is the most precious gift they could have been given. The mothers said they now can enjoy the beginning of the New Year with their bundle of joy at their side.
Nurse Carol Lowe holding Samantha Miguel’s baby
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
Tommy Orange’s “There There” REPRESENTATION is important, and when I say ‘representation,’ I am, of course, talking about people from diverse backgrounds having a marked presence in the media – whether it’s visual, textual, or any other kind that is made for consumption by the general public. However, it is important for us to appreciate the fact that representation when it comes from those very diverse and underrepresented peoples often captures the most poignant of truths, simply because no one can come close to speaking for and representing those people who belong to the environments that they seek, and deserve representation. If one does not know Guyanese culture, for example, it is possible to replicate the same by conducting much research. However, such work may never be as good as something written by the authors who actually live within, and come from, this society. There’s also the matter of the way in which an underrepresented community can become further known if the creator of the media that represents the society is him/
herself from that society. His/her exposure, acclaim, and awards all stem from that society he/she represents and, in a way, the creator represents his/her peoples and society not only in the creation of their work, but also by choosing the role of creator, by working to advocate the concerns of his/her people, culture, and environment through the creation of something artistic. A notable creator – an author – who recently emerged is Tommy Orange, the Native American (Cheyenne and Arapaho) author of “There There,” a novel about the Native American experience or, rather, several Native American experiences, within contemporary America. His novel is narrated by multiple voices, 12 characters, that represent themselves throughout the text, forming an honest and heartbreaking, if sometimes overwhelming, tale of a people who, despite eras of mistreatment, continue to demand their own presence in the world, by hoping, by working, by fighting, by speaking, and by existing as authentically as they know how to. The characters in the novel – though plentiful and brimming with a plentitude of stories – can be overpowering in the sense that it can be difficult sometimes to keep track of everyone, as well as their location, people related to them, their conflicts, and other particulars. However, I do believe that this may be exactly what the author wants to convey: this giving of a voice to myriad people who have traditionally not been represented, people whose stories are not told, people who are often ignored and not given a voice. Orange allows his characters to speak, finely crafting each persona and assuredly pulling the story out of that persona for the reader. One such persona is Orvil, a teenage boy who secretly wears his grandmother’s powwow costume and desires to dance in the Big Oakland Powwow, where generations of native American people from all over the country and all walks of life will meet to celebrate their culture. Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield is the sister of Orvil’s grandmother, Jacquie Red Feather, and it is she who takes care of Orvil and his brothers after they are deserted by Jacquie. Blue is a woman trying to build herself again, after running away from an abusive relationship, by finding employment and managing the Big Oakland Powwow. Edwin is the man who is yearning to meet his adoptive father at the Powwow. Thomas Frank is set to play the drums at the event. Dene Oxendene is an artist recording the stories of
“There There” by Tommy Orange, 2018, Harvill Secker
his people, giving them voice and representation. Tony Loneman is the gunman who joins a gang intent on robbing the Powwow of the prize money it has set up for the event. To say that the violence that erupts in the novel’s climax is horrific, when almost all of the characters we have spent hundreds of pages with, learning their stories and dreams and fears and desires are finally brought together in such an important event – a Powwow – something that is sacred to Native Americans, would be truly accurate. This violence reminds us not only of the history of Native peoples all over the world, burning into our minds, as quick as a gunshot, the notion of thousands of stories abruptly coming to an end – much like those of the characters in the book – because of the very real institution of colonisation is not something that is lost on me. The ending is simply too horrific to bear alone, weighing with so much sadness that later, in retrospect, I have been forced to acknowledge the fact that I am in sorrow and shock for these few characters when many, many more people have died in real life in similar situations, for similar reasons. The violence in the novel is condemned in this way, but there is no denying that, within this condemnation, there are specific condemnations, of the violence of the coloniser, the violence of the oppressor, and, also, a condemnation of those emulate and copy the violence of the coloniser/oppressor. I like Tommy Oranges’s book, but I’m not going to deny that it made unbearably sad.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Tourism in Guyana
GUYANA, as we know is an undoubtedly beautiful country with many sites of attraction. Tourism is when persons travel and stay in places outside of their normal environment. As a columnist who writes on international and local issues based on the perspective of youth, it is true to say that tourism is not talked about amongst young people unless it is a school-related topic or assignment. Guyana has an entire ministry committed to business and tourism. This should at least be the first step, to compel us that tourism is important to our country’s GDP and economic growth. Tourism and business surely go handin-hand as they encourage more foreign exchange in the country and also help the country to gain international recognition. According to the Guyana Tourism website, Guyana provides a vast and diverse array of tourist attractions. Some of which include: our exotic wildlife and rainforests; our reputation as the land of many waters (there are 300+ waterfalls); mountain ranges; Safaris outings; the Rupununi Rodeo and our many towns and cultural festivals.
Tourism has many categories and I will be sure to write on them in future column pieces. Guyana may not be blessed with blue waters and other beachfront properties; there may be eye-catching resorts but many are away from the coastland. Perhaps, that is one issue that we face; the majority of our tourism sites are not close-by. Transportation is either by boat, plane or rocky trails and also tourism’s factors of production are often times very expensive for investors to invest in. Apart from sites and places, our citizens also have a major role to play in the development of tourism in Guyana. The way in which Guyanese treat tourists is very important. I have noticed that Guyanese vendors oftentimes exploit the spending of tourists. Despite this downfall, the label of Guyanese being hospitable is no lie and we surely live up to that name. The Government of Guyana needs to implement better tourism policies when it comes down to the environmental risks and inflation of prices that are caused by tourism.
While all that I have said are all shallow insights of the topic of tourism, I hope it shines some light on the fact that our country can benefit in many aspects of it. The main point is to be authentic and to sell our aesthetically pleasing flora and fauna. Guyana is unique as she stands and there are many things that she has, that many countries lack. From the St. George’s Cathedral to the majestic Kaieteur Falls; the ancient county of Berbice and the Kunuku Mountain range, there are many things to see.
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I have mentioned this before but I’ll say it again, next time you think about going on a vacation, pack your bags and travel to visit Guyana. Many of us live for years here and we perhaps never even visited all three counties. If by chance you are a future tourist of Guyana, reading this, it is better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times. All the good reviews of our beautiful country are only one aspect, but coming to visit us is even better!
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Greening your New Year’s Resolutions
AS we begin a New Year, the Management and Staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wish all of our readers a prosperous 2019. Traditionally, the beginning of a new year is dubbed the ideal time to start a new chapter in our lives, hence we set our resolutions for the year ahead. We hope you have set goals to enhance your personal and pro-
fessional development and wish you well in achieving your desired goals. The EPA hopes the last 12 months of learning and reinforcing how fascinating nature is, were rewarding; moreover we hope you better understand your role in protecting and managing our environment. It is our desire that some of your new year’s resolutions involve becoming good stewards of the environment. Let’s call them our “Green resolutions” for 2019 onwards! Greening your resolutions will not only go a far way for the environment but will also help to make your surroundings a safe space for yourself and family. It will also save you some needed cash. Here are some small changes you can make to see big results: Turn to page XXIV►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
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NEW YEAR PROSPECTS THE world has just entered the New Year 2019. Consumer advocates have always welcomed the New Year as presenting the opportunity for a better life, not only by correcting the mistakes of the past year but being creative in the new. At the end of last year, Parliament on the basis of a no-confidence vote, decided in effect, to have national elections earlier by almost two years. These national elections are scheduled to be held in the first quarter of the year. The Guyanese electorate has shown a great deal of maturity; they are not becoming excited or excitable with the approach of national elections as used to be the case even 10 years ago. And it seems that all the stakeholders, though concerned and involved, seem to be quite calm as obtains in developed countries in similar circumstances. On the other hand, the no-confidence vote is being challenged by the governmental parties and if the grounds are found to be valid, then the situation would be regarded as having returned to the status quo and there would be no new elections. The populace looks forward to Constitutional Reform which will enable all political parties represented in Parliament to participate in government, so as to bring about greater political cohesion resulting in greater national unity. Guyana in 2019 will then be on the road to closer social and political unity and a happier country. The economy has again begun to grow and the international financial institutions have predicted growth to a respectable 5.5 per cent. There would be more employment and greater involvement of young people in small industries. Many new opportunities for the acquiring of new skills by young people have already been presented and it is expected that they would begin to take advantage of these opportunities. The ICT culture has been intensified by giving laptops to school teachers and by the extension of computer teaching in the school system and by the establishment of hubs countrywide, and these measures have laid the foundation of an ICT revolution. An ICT revolution would have far-reaching effects on the economic prosperity of Guyana and bringing the country into the modern world. The Health System had shown improvement in 2018 and it is expected that the same tempo of progress will be made in 2019. The methods of acquiring drugs for the Health Service have been improved and shortages are rare. New surgical operations were being performed and the complement of doctors is adequate. The Guyana Health Services compare very favourably with those of most developing countries. The education system will continue to improve in 2019. The intake of the Teachers Training College has been growing and there has been curriculum reform, so that Guyana’s schools could keep abreast with the best in the Caribbean. School buildings have been kept in good repair and every effort is made to have all schools fully equipped. One notable reform has been the introduction of the teaching of Amerindian languages in some schools in the predominantly Amerindian districts. A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Georgetown Municipality had been appointed under the chairmanship of a distinguished retired judge. Over many years now, the City of Georgetown had been declining in every way - in its physical environment, in its drainage, in its administration, in its accountability. It had earned the reputation of being one of the worst managed cities in the world. The Justice Kennard Commission which the Government had appointed was meant to provide an agenda for the renewal of the City, and it is expected that in 2019 the reforms will commence in earnest. It is hoped that the City Council would be able to enlist the talents and advice of able citizens in this movement to renew the city. Resuscitation of the Friends of Georgetown Committee would help in this regard. There have been attempts to produce a national cultural policy and the statements of Ministers of Government and
officials have invariably pointed to the need for a plural national cultural policy. It is hoped that in 2019 a comprehensive national cultural policy would be adumbrated. Most progressive countries have moved away from having one over-riding culture in the nation; the current wisdom is that a plural cultural policy results in a richer national culture and greater national unity. The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy had made some progress towards a solution in 2018 when Guyana referred the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Venezuela has however refused to
participate in the Court, though referral to the ICJ was part of the Good Offices Agreement which had been made shortly after Guyana became Independent. The recent threat by the Venezuelan navy to the Exxon-contracted ship working in Guyana’s territorial waters evoked the United States affirming Guyana’s sovereignty over its territorial seas, and the CARICOM countries reiterating their support for Guyana. It is expected that in 2019 the matter would make further progress towards a solution. The prospects for 2019 are optimistic.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019 RESOLUTION 1. CHOOSE REUSABLE OVER DISPOSABLE During the past year we talked a lot about the importance of choosing reusable items over disposal ones, here is another chance to put it into practice. Choosing reusable products like bottles, cups, batteries, shopping bags, hand towels, cloth napkins etc., can significantly reduce the amount of waste you generate on a daily basis and save you needed cash. RESOLUTION 2. USE LESS, SAVE MORE (ENERGY AND WATER) A great way to start conserving on your electricity and cashing back big on your electricity is by simply designing your space to be energy efficient. Use more natural light during the day, plan well and ensure you turn off and unplug all appliances. Be smarter when you shop: looking for those appliances with the energy saving star is another great idea on how you and your household can become more energy efficient for 2019. It’s a new year, so it’s time to fix those old leaking faucets and broken pipes around the home. Ever heard the saying, “a small leak can sink a big ship?” Not only is having leaks around the house a wasteful and careless practice, but it can also cause a significant spike in your water bill. It’s also time for you to stop doing the dishes, laundry and brushing your teeth while leaving the tap running. Did you know that brushing your teeth and leaving the tap running causes you to waste at least 5 gallons of water? Water is life so save it! RESOLUTION 3. EMBARK ON A COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Are you wondering about a meaningful activity for your community? Embarking on a community enhancement project such as planting trees, clean-ups, parks and green space restoration are great ideas for making your resolution a bit greener and helping to restore the neighbourhood to its former glory. This will also give you a chance to connect and even reconnect with members of your community. A cleaner community means cleaner air and water for biodiversity to flourish, and people to be productive. RESOLUTION 4. JOIN OR START AN ENVIRONMENT CLUB This is the perfect “do good, feel good” opportunity to make a fresh start for 2018. Joining or starting an environmental club will help you learn and teach others about the amazing services our environment provides to us free of cost, and what we can do to help take care of it. What better way to learn about your environment through a fun and interactive way by using the environment as your classroom. You will also help to build your communication and other social skills. If you’re wondering how to locate or start an environment club in your community give us a call at the EPA or visit our Facebook or Instagram page and leave us a message for more information. Finally: Stop littering and encourage others to do the same By now you all should know that litter is bad for our health, the economy and the environment. It costs the government unnecessary spending to clean up when that same money can be used to build road, schools and health centres, etc. in communities across Guyana. Apply these simple but practical resolutions and you’re sure to have a refreshing year ahead! You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
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Do not expect the impossible of whether or not dental work could be guaranteed. Try asking a salesman whether the television or stereo set you bought is guaranteed against breakage. It is the same thing as asking if the dentist could guarantee that the filling placed in your mouth would last as long as you would like it to. The simple answer is that it is up to you. I have placed
MILLIONS of women are reasonably fascinated with their faces and bodies and play the genetic cards they are dealt. Certainly, they all fuss with themselves a bit: a hairdo here, some makeup there, with a new fashion look now and then. Similarly, hundreds of thousands of men lose their hair each year and do not care or even know why. Then there are others who become quite focused on their impending baldness and set out to do something about it. However, some people seem to be obsessed with their physical appearance in general, and their mouths in particular. Unfortunately, their obsessions often obliterate reason. But yet we may all learn something important from it. A patient whose age I estimate to be 45 came to see me at my office recently. “Hello. I’m here for your opinion,” she said, revealing 10 upper teeth all bonded white and even. Her handshake was firm. “ How can I help you?”I offered pleasantly. I slipped on a fresh pair of gloves and slid my stool across from her. Sneering her lip away from her upper front teeth, she said, “ I want you to change the look of my teeth”. “ What did you have in mind?” “ Can I ask you a personal question first?” “Sure”, I said, folding my arms. “ Who is the best dentist for you?” “ I have never given that serious thought,” I answered honestly. “ Anyway, I want to talk about my lip perimeter with respect to my face and tooth shape and lower face prominence. I want to discuss making my front four teeth longer. I have a strong upper face that I accentuate with my hairstyle and I’ve always had a longer-than-average nose. My lower face is out of balance; it’s too weak so I want to darken my premolars and force my mouth open with long incisors, thereby bowing my lower lip. The end result should create a lower face length and strength.” I stared at her genuinely dumbfounded. Indeed I was impressed. “Tell me exactly what is it that you require?”I mumbled. As if she did not hear me, immediately she asked, “ How long do you guarantee a filling to last?” Now my encounter with this patient can serve to teach us three lessons. Firstly, patients need to understand that their perceived desire is not necessarily understood and or accepted by their dentist. Moreover, their request often may not even be possible. Although it may be difficult for one to appreciate, we occasionally believe that dentistry is a profession capable of producing miraculous results. For example, many wealthy patients sincerely feel that their strong financial ability is enough to pay a dentist to provide them with a smile replete with youth, beauty and sex appeal despite prevailing negative attributes of age, neglect and self-abuse. The second lesson to be learnt from my patient is that if someone visits a dentist with enough knowledge of dentistry to more or less startle his or her dentist, that patient gets enough approbation to place them on a level of mutual understanding and respect. This state of affairs could be beneficial for the patient. Finally, patients need to understand fully the question
fillings in teeth of my father’s friends when I was a dental student well over a quarter of a century ago and they are still in good shape (referring to the fillings). A dentist can only work with that condition which the patient presents him or her with, simply because that practitioner is only a dentist, not God.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
E S FILES A C T COUR Full Court rejected compensation award ‘68
By George Barclay
Magistrate’s ruling based on unjudicial reasoning
THE Full Court in 1968 set aside a magistrate’s award in a case of workman’s compensation, after it was found that the magistrate had reached his conclusion of fact by a process of “unjudicial reasoning.” As a consequence the workman, Kanhai Singh who had been awarded compensation for injury to his knee during a fall while working with the Demerara Company, Ltd., had his award taken away, after it was proved that his illness was due to osteo-arthritis and not a fall as alleged. The Full Court rejected the magistrate’s decision and ordered the Respondent Singh to pay costs to the Appellant … the Demerara Company Limited. The circumstances of the case were of such as to justify an Appellate Court to disturb the findings of fact.
The facts of the case disclosed that the respondent had claimed compensation in the Magistrate’s Court under the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, Chapter 111, for an injury which he alleged was caused on the 4th December,1964, when he fell and struck his right knee, in an accident which arose out of the course of his employment with the appellants. The magistrate gave judgment in his favour and the appellants appealed to the Full Court. The respondent Singh had received periodic payments from the appellants for two weeks after the accident, during which time he was being examined by their doctor. The doctor ordered an X-ray examination and his ultimate diagnosis, some two weeks after the accident, was that the appellant was suffering from a pre-existing disease, viz, osteo-arthritis. The respondent claimed that
the pain continued and he consulted another doctor who diagnosed traumatic arthritis. He arrived at this conclusion without the aid of any X-ray pictures, and, although asserting that he found no evidence of osteo-arthritis, said that even if his diagnosis was wrong and the respondent had been suffering from osteo-arthritis, it had been aggravated by the accident. The magistrate found that the respondent had been suffering from a pre-existing disease as diagnosed by the appellants’ doctor, but that the accident had materially contributed to his existing condition. The Full Court held (i) a magistrate in arriving at his finding of fact was entitled to disbelieve portions of the evidence, but there must be some logical basis for so doing; (ii) it is not the function of an appellate tribunal to substitute its own finding of fact or to interfere with those of the court of trial merely because it took the view that had it heard the matter at first instance , it may have come to a different conclusion; (iii) in the present case, however, the magistrate had arrived at his conclusion of fact by a process of unjudicial reasoning. APPEAL ALLOWED. Solicitor General, Mr. G.M. Farnum, Q.C., represented the appellants while Attorney-at-law, Mr. Derek Jagan appeared for the respondent. The Full Curt was constituted by Chief Justice H.B.S. Bollers and Justice Akbar Khan. According to the judgment of the Full Court the evidence which was led in the magistrate’s court, disclosed that the respondent on the 4th December 1964, while fetching a bundle of cane and crossing a dam on a plank, slipped and fell and hit his right knee. It became swollen and pained him. He reported to the driver who referred him to the dispensary at Pln. Farm. He was then referred to Dr. Weinstein, the estate doctor , who examined him on the 5th December, 1964 and ordered an X-ray. On the 15th Dec., 1964 the respondent was again examined by Dr. Weinstein, who told him to report to the manager on the following day. On the 16th Dec., the manager informed the respondent that the estate doctor had found him fit for work and discharged him, and therefore he must report for work The respondent maintained that his knee was swollen and still pained him. On the 23rd Dec., 1964 , the respondent was examined by Dr. Hugh, a private practitioner, who examined him, recommended six weeks temporary disability and issued such a medical certificate . This certificate, the estate authority refused to accept and the respondent was informed that if he failed to work, he would no longer be employed. The respondent decided to go back to work and did forking and planting of cane.
He was assisted in fetching the cane tops a distance of 18 to 24 rods by his son but he found that he could not plant the cane tops as he used to, as his knee was still paining him. He maintained that he could not fork and plant as well as he did formerly. According to the judgment of the Full Court it is apparent from the findings that the learned magistrate accepted the diagnosis of Dr. Weinstein that the workman was suffering from osteo-arthritis as being correct, and rejected the evidence of Dr. Hugh that he was suffering from traumatic arthritis as being incorrect, but accepted Dr. Hugh’s evidence that there was tearing of the ligament of the right knee, and arrived at the conclusion that the pre-existing disease of osteo-arthritis had been aggravated as a result of the accident . The appellants (employers) now appeal to the court on the two grounds available to them, that is, that the decision was wrong in law in that there was no evidence to support the finding of the magistrate, and secondly, the decision was such that the magistrate, viewing the evidence reasonably, could not properly have so decided. On the second ground, counsel for the appellant has argued that the magistrate’s acceptance of Dr. Hugh’s evidence that the respondent was suffering from torn ligaments and experienced limitation of movement was unreasonable as it was based on false premise, that is to say, a faulty diagnosis, and therefore was not open to the magistrate to rely on Dr. Hugh’s evidence. The Full Court said, “We are of the view that the magistrate in this case erred in his approach to the evidence when he accepted the evidence of Dr. Weinstein, as to his diagnosis that the respondent was suffering from osteo-arthritis and proceeded to reject the doctor’s evidence that there was no tearing of ligament, but accepted the evidence of Dr. Hugh that there was a tearing of the ligament and limitation of movement. There was no logical basis for the rejection of the evidence of Dr. Weinstein, that there was no torn ligament, when it was he who had diagnosed correctly the condition of the respondent and had first seen and treated the respondent over a period of time and had taken the trouble to order x-rays which confirmed his diagnosis, “In our view, we can safely say that the magistrate’s view was based on such disregard of evidence, to which no reasonable man could come when he disregarded the evidence of Dr. Weinstein that there was no torn ligament, with the result that the inference he drew, that the incident caused the incapacity, was so violent that we could properly interfere with his decision. “For these reasons, the appeal must be allowed and the order of the magistrate set aside with costs to the appellants fixed at $25.00 plus the cost of the record $7.20. The appellants will also have their costs in the court below fixed at $75.00
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel ... Inspiring lives through fashion
Higher grounds for us in 2019 OUR New Year’s Eve Service at Love & Faith was incredible but that was no surprise because Pastor Brooks was delivering the message. We are blessed to have great leadership at our church. My daughters were also in charge so that added to a great entrance into 2019. I entered this New Year with gratitude, great optimism and a next level attitude. This is my time and I encourage you to affirm the same. “THIS IS MY TIME.”
Everyone is going through some degree of change so you are not alone. Without a new mindset to go with the New Year, you will never get the changes you desire. Let this be the year we give the world a higher and better version of ourselves. The possibility of change and the desire for transformation can be intimidating but if we do what we have always done we will always be where we have always been. Turn to page XXIX►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Chinese phone maker Huawei punishes employees for iPhone tweet blunder
China’s Huawei Technologies has punished two employees for New Year greetings sent on the smartphone maker’s official Twitter account using an iPhone, an internal memo showed. Huawei, whose P-series handsets compete with Apple’s iPhone, on New Year’s Day wished followers a ”Happy -2019” in a tweet marked sent ”via Twitter for iPhone”. The tweet was quickly removed but screenshots of the blunder spread across social media. “The traitor has revealed himself,” quipped one user on microblog Weibo, in a comment ‘liked’ over 600 times. In an internal Huawei memo dated Jan 3 seen by Reuters, corporate senior vice-president and director of the board Chen Lifang said, “the incident caused damage to the Huawei brand”. The mistake occurred when outsourced social media handler Sapient experienced “VPN problems” with a desktop computer so used an iPhone with a roaming SIM card in order to send the message on time at midnight, Huawei said in the memo. Twitter, like several foreign services such as those from Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc, is blocked in China, where the Internet is heavily censored. To gain access, users need a virtual private network (VPN) connection. Huawei, which overtook Apple as the world’s second-largest smartphone vendor by volume in January-September, declined to comment on internal issues when contacted by Reuters. Sapient did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via the contact form on its website. Calls to its Beijing office went unanswered. Huawei in the memo said the blunder showed procedural incompliance and management oversight. It said it had demoted two employees responsible by one rank and reduced their monthly salaries by 5,000 yuan (RM3,016). The pay rank of one of the employees – Huawei’s digital marketing director – will also be frozen for 12 months, it said. It is not the first time use of the Apple product has given cause for embarrassment. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of nationalistic tabloid Global Times, was mocked online last year after he used his iPhone when expressing support for Huawei and domestic peer ZTE Corp. He later said his actions were not hypocritical as foreign brands should not be discriminated against. – Reuters
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page XXVII
Remember the real battle in your mind. You will never be defeated by what people say about you but they will by what you say about you. Never forgot that you are enough and you can do it even with the daily challenges. God wants us all to live the abundant life and with a few changes, we can. Start now and your life will be barely recognisable at the end of 2019. Some of the things that keep me on course are: life is a privilege and if I face life casually I will end up a casualty. I am not above counsel no matter what I achieve. Wrong environment and choices can destroy good destiny. Talent alone is not good enough but the attitude that goes with it. Have a teachable spirit and show appreciation. Be intentional and responsible for my actions. I am nothing without God in my life and we need each other to achieve greatness. One of the words we constantly talk about in a New Year is CHANGE. Change is inherent and will happen with or without you. Without change, there can be no improvement but not all change is improvement, advancement or development. Change is necessary but it must be regulated by boundaries. Life is full of tradeoffs and we don’t have the time to do everything. We often say we need to start doing this or that but we also need to stop. For example, stop doing the things that are keeping us from our growth. A lot of times we need to say NO to some things so we can say YES to the things that will really make a difference. Sometimes we confuse change with growth. I am working on my first class for the year using content from the 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C Maxwell (one of my favourite mentors). Maxwell is an internationally recognised leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold millions of books. His organisations have trained more than five million leaders worldwide. I love to share info that has benefitted me and know I can do the same for others. I will be sharing the laws in this column through this month. 1. The Law of Intentionality Working hard doesn’t guarantee success and hope isn’t a strategy. Growth doesn’t just happen. You must be intentional about your growth. If you focus on goals, you may hit ◄◄◄ From page V
Anna during a thesis lab experiment
“You are expected to perform as a Chinese. The teachers are quite strict. They say why did you come here? If you didn’t understand, why did you come here? Go home,” Anna added. After completing her Masters’ Degree, Anna has to give the government another five years of her service. “I want to broaden the scope of orthodontics in Guyana because a lot of people are not aware of what it is and what the treatment entails. Dentistry in Guyana is now developing. The bachelor’s programme is offered at UG, but not the Masters level,” she explained, adding, “I am excited to serve Guyana and put these skills to use,” Anna expressed.
goals – but that doesn’t guarantee your growth. People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they, therefore, remain bound. 2. The Law of Awareness To grow, you must know yourself: your strengths and weaknesses, your interests and opportunities. You must be able to gauge not only where you have been, but also where you are now. Otherwise, you cannot set a course for where you want to go. And of course, every time you want to learn
XXIX something, you must be able to take the new thing you’ve learned today and build upon what you learned yesterday to keep growing. That’s the only way to gain traction and keep improving yourself. If you are interested in learning more join on the FB page Living with Intention Ambassadors. Let’s be intentional about our growth plan for the year and be consistent as we continue on this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
English
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STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, If you are aware that the first step to learning a topic is by understanding it, then you have probably been stepping in that direction with good results following. If you have tried cramming, you maybe have proven its long-term downside. But maybe you have also discovered its shortterm function if at first you understand a matter and need to have its points at your fingertips. Keep away from stressful and regretful situations. Have adequate recreation and sleep. Be wise. Love you.
THE PASSAGE Mrs. Nurmi was out in the yard by an old wood stove which she still used for boiling the vegetable dyes for her weaving, or steaming scraps for the hens… She followed Helvi, calling out to her husband to come and see this strange animal washed up by an unfamiliar, swift-surging river. He came, with his unhurried countryman’s walk and quiet thoughtful face, and joined the others to look down in silence at the small limp body, the darkly plastered fur betraying its slightness, the frail skull bones and thin crooked tail mercilessly exposed. Suddenly he bent down and laid his hand lightly on it for a moment, then pulled back the skin above and below one eye and looked more closely. He turned and saw
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Helvi’s anxious, questioning face close to his own, and I wish either my father or my mother, or inbeyond that her mother’s. “Is deed both of them, as they were in duty both a drowned cat worth trying to save?” he asked them, and equally bound to it, had minded what they when her mother nodded, bewere about when they begot me. fore Helvi’s pleading eyes, he LAURENCE STERNE (1713-1768) Tristram said no more, but scooped the Shandy (1760-7), bk. 1, ch. 1, soaking bundle up and walked back to the cabin, telling Helvi opening words to run ahead and bring some dry sacks. ? When you name yourself along with He laid the cat down in a sunny patch someone else, always name yourself last. by the wood stove and rubbed it vigorously ? Sometimes we or us is used before a with sacking, turning the body from side to noun: side until the fur stood out in every direction i) We ladies worked late at night to and it looked like some disheveled old scarf. complete crocheting the bride’s bedspread Then, as he wrapped the sacking firmly on time. around and her mother pried the clenched ii) The group leader discussed the latest teeth open, Helvi poured a little warm milk school-feeding issue with us volunteers. and precious brandy down the pale cold throat. SOMETHING TO DO She watched as a spasm ran through the A. Write each sentence and use the corbody, followed by a faint cough, then held rect word or words in brackets. her breath in sympathy as the cat retched and 1. (Princess and I, Me and Princess) had choked convulsively, a thin dribble of milk waited for a clear directive from the sightappearing at the side of its mouth. Reino seeing team-leading group downstream. laid the straining body over his knee and 2. Team leader, Daniel Dundas, soon pressed gently over the ribcage. The cat explained to (we children, us children) that choked and struggled for breath, until at last schools of manatees will be met about one a sudden gush of water streamed out, and mile away. it lay relaxed. Reino gave a slow smile of 3. Later, (me and my partner Simone, satisfaction and handed the bundle of sackmy partner Simone and I) wrote a poem ing to Helvi, telling her to keep it warm and about the schools of manatees our team quiet for a while – if she was sure that she encountered. still wanted a cat. 4. (We two partners, Us two partners) (From Sheila Burnford’s “The Incredible saved the poem for publishing on our return Journey”) to college. B. Use I or me to complete each senA WORD ABOUT THE PASSAGE tence. This extract is part of a prizewinning 1. The guide showed _____ a model of novel that has been translated into sixteen the respiratory system. languages, and even made into a movie. 2. Mrs McDonald told Angelena and Have you seen Burnford’s clear description _____ that the sun is actually a star. of people, places and things? Not really? 3. Colin Haynes and _____ gave an opinPlease read again with purpose. ion about a school rule we disagreed with. 4. Some farmers and _____ were encourWHAT TO DO aged to plant large marigold farms. 1. Put a description to the old stove you C. Sentence correction think Mrs Nurmi was using for making dyes 1. Examine the sentence below, and then and steaming food for hens. Discuss this decide if it contains an error in standard Enwith your study partners. glish usage. Mark the correct letter. 2. Consider the author’s description of a. All the trainees who attended the asthe cat when it was discovered. Use vivid sembly were instructed to leave his or noun, adjective and adverb phrases in telling a b it to a friend. Further, probably sketch the c picture your mind has captured. her baggage in the large cabinet at the 3. Write notes on the interesting individentrance. No error uality that the writer particularly bestows d e upon each of her three characters, (farmer b. Decide whether the underlined portion Nurmi, his wife, and daughter)? of the sentence below needs correcting. Pick 4. Write a story (of your choice) with the best correction from the choices that great description to show some experience follow. resembling the above excerpt. As public outrage over contaminated tinned vegetables becomes stronger, people GRAMMAR who will demand more organically grown Pronouns ‘I’ and ‘me’ vegetables and fruits. 1. Use pronouns correctly when you i. people demanding speak and write. iv. people will demand ? Use I in the subject of a sentence and ii. people who demand me in the predicate. Use we in the subject of iii. people who have demanded a sentence and us in the predicate.
Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019
Cassava Pone
INGREDIENTS 2 medium sweet cassava 1 small dried coconut 2 tbsp butter or margarine 6 oz sugar 1/4 tsp spice and black pepper 1/2 tsp essence 1/4 tsp salt INSTRUCTIONS Peel, wash, grate and mix the cassava and coconut together. Work in the butter with a fork. Add the other ingredients and enough water to bind stiffly. Put the mixture into a greased dripping pan, where it should be about 1 inch thick. Bake in a moderate oven until crisp and brown on top. Cut into 1 to 2 inch squares before serving.
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Chronicle Pepperpot January 6, 2019