Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 02-11-2025

QC 50th Anniversary Reunion brings inspiring family back to where it all started

By Frederick Halley

GUYANA’S most prestigious school, Queen’s College, recently celebrated 50 years of co-education, bringing together alumni to mark the transformative introduction of girls to the school in 1975.

An exhibition at the school highlighted this story and the alumni’s stellar achievements. Students celebrated with tea parties in their classrooms, resplendent in their finest, wandering through the exhibition to

London, UK, and Dr. Vivian Rambihar, a cardiologist from Canada — like Roxanne, were Guyana Scholars, a feat that would be extremely hard to match.

The brothers Rambihar made it a point to attend and honour their late siste,r Roxanne, who sadly passed away from renal failure a few years ago. Brian will run the London Marathon in 2026, fundraising in her honour. Running led them to a serendipitous meeting and photo opportunity with the President of Guyana just

the first person the President approved to run across the bridge. He still plans to make that run one day.

Dr. Vivian Rambihar has also had his share of serendipity and achievement. He is a well-known Toronto cardiologist who cares for many Guyanese, both in Toronto and in Canada.

He was among the first to research and advocate for culturally sensitive healthcare in Canada and received the University of Toronto’s highest alumni honour in June 2005 — the Carl Mitch-

engage with the alumni and hear their fascinating stories.

Among them is the inspiring story of three brothers who came from abroad to celebrate their sister Roxanne Rambihar’s historic achievement in the first co-ed class in 1975, when she was one of the first female Guyana Scholars at QC, along with Indra Gopaul.

Roxanne’s three brothers — Compton, Vivian, and Brian — are also distinguished alumni: All were teachers at QC, all studied medicine, and two — Dr. Brian Rambihar, a senior Occupational Health and Revalidation Specialist from

hours after their arrival. Brian joined a small group lining up to meet the President at the end of a business conference. He told the President he was inspired by his speech at the opening of the Demerara Bridge, and, as a runner, he wanted to run across it — but that part was closed. The President immediately said he would try to make that happen.

Unfortunately, because of literal roadblocks, it could not happen during Brian’s visit. Undaunted, he ran the Breast Cancer Walk through Georgetown the next day, claiming the historic achievement (in his mind) of being

ell Award for Community Impact, named after the late former U of T Alumni President.

He has received numerous awards, including the Guyana 50th Anniversary of Independence Award (2016) and induction into the Scarborough Walk of Fame for Health and Science in 2024. These accolades recognised his pioneering work on diversity and health, community engagement, and the new science of chaos and complexity — a field that received the 2021 Physics Nobel Prize for its role in climate change. Dr Rambihar was the first to apply it to medicine. He

credits this “out-of-the-box” thinking to his strong foundation at Queen’s College, especially in mathematics.

As the 1969 Guyana Scholar, Dr Rambihar was awarded a prestigious scholarship to study any subject at any university in the world. He chose the University of Toronto, arriving in 1970 as an 18-year-old after a year of teaching mathematics at Queen’s College.

At University College, U of T, he pursued a multidisciplinary course of study in premedical subjects, mathematics, physics, and biomedical engineering, before enrolling in the revolutionary new McMaster University Medical School, graduating in 1975, and training in cardiology at both McMaster and the University of Toronto.

Dr Rambihar began his cardiology practice in Scarborough, Canada, in 1980, during a period of TURN TO PAGE XV

Planting Possibilities

Open Doors Centre for Persons with Disabilities is Cultivating Independence Through Agriculture

By Shaniya Harding

AT the Open Doors Centre for Persons with Disabilities, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Here, students are being taught the value of self-sufficiency through agriculture—a skill that not only feeds families but builds confidence and independence. Under the guidance of instructor Michael Trotman, small backyard plots have become living classrooms where persons with disabilities learn to grow vegetables, nurture fruit trees, and understand the science of food production.

It’s a quiet but powerful effort that mirrors the spirit of Agriculture Month, highlighting that healthy food and meaningful work can grow hand in hand from the same soil.

The Open Doors Centre, formally called the National Vocational Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, has been empowering persons with disabilities since its opening in May 2001. Instructor at the Cen-

tre’s Thomas Lands location, Michael Trotman, has been a part of the institution for years. Initially, “Sir Trotman,” as he is known to his students, focused on woodwork, including carpentry and joinery—one of

the many courses offered by the Centre. Today, however, Sir Trotman is leading his students into a new venture: agriculture. “One of the areas I work in is agriculture. I am the person in charge of all the agricultural work at my

location, which is on Thomas Lands. In the same compound, we have the growth centre, and all the students in the carpentry class have an opportunity to see what agriculture is all about,” he stated.

The Open Doors Centre offers a two-year course in areas such as garment construction, information technology, and beauty care. After completing the twoyear programme, students leave with a renewed sense of purpose and independence, equipped with the knowledge and skills to work for themselves, many of whom are deeply passionate about their chosen field. “At Open Doors, in all the courses, it’s a two-year programme, and within that two years, they are prepared for the world of work. That means they are going to be on work attachments. It depends on those who show the ability to work with others and carry out instructions. At Open Doors, every student will have the opportunity to go on work attachments,” Sir Trotman explained.

Apart from his love for agriculture, Sir Trotman introduced the course as a way of helping his students try something new and equipping them with a skill that could lead to independence and self-sustainability. “Agriculture is a science and it TURN TO PAGE XVI

Championing Smarter Poultry Nutrition and Stronger Agricultural Minds

By Shaniya Harding

FROM Berbice to the global stage, poultry nutritionist, Dr Colwayne Morris, is transforming how farmers view poultry nutrition— and how young people view agriculture.

As Guyana closes the curtains on Agriculture Month, Dr Morris is proving that what’s good for the chicken is good for the nation. The Berbice-born poultry nutritionist, now based abroad, has built his career around understanding how feed quality shapes not only animal health but also the food security and livelihoods of those who depend on poultry production.

With a passion that stretches from the lab to the classroom, Dr Morris is helping to shape both stronger flocks and sharper agricul-

tural minds.

Dr Morris did not enter the agriculture field intending to become a poultry nutritionist and admits that his interest developed years later. In his interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, he explained that his first step into agriculture began at the Guyana School of Agriculture, where he initially aspired to enter veterinary science. “I started out wanting to become a veterinarian. I went to the School of Agriculture and did a diploma in animal health and veterinary public health, which kind of prepares you for being a veterinary technician or assistant. During that programme, that’s when I kind of fell in love with nutrition itself because I was doing nutrition there as a course as well,” he stated.

After finding his passion, Dr Morris took the next step with new determination, pursuing a degree in agriculture at the University of Guyana. From there, he delved deeper into nutrition and eventually specialised in poultry nutrition. Today, he is part of a growing field of agricultural nutritionists—and one of the few Guyanese in it—but his passion for his work has pushed him even further.

“When I had the option to go do my master’s, I focused on monogastric nutrition, which is both swine and poultry, specifically in mineral nutrition. And then for my PhD, I focused a lot more on poultry nutrition and did a lot of work with broilers, layers, and turkeys,” he explained.

“I’ve been in animal science for over a decade, but I’ve been a PhD poultry nutritionist since 2020.”

While the term poul -

try nutritionist may seem self-explanatory, the work of people like Dr Morris is vital—not just in raising healthy chickens for farmers, but in ensuring that healthy chicken reaches our homes and plates. “A typical nutritionist formulates diets,” he said. “I simplify it by saying it’s like making a cake. We have all the ingredients to make this cake that we want, but let’s say we don’t have wheat flour—we may have almond flour or some other alternative.”

In assessing the nutritional needs of poultry, Dr Morris considers a wide range of factors. His work balances both the scientific and business aspects of agriculture, ensuring that chickens are well-fed without putting farmers in debt.

“As a nutritionist, there are some key factors we look at—what is available, the nutrient requirements for the animal we’re feeding, and the quality of ingredients that go into the feed. Every animal has various nutrient requirements at different phases of their life, so we make that ‘cake’—the feed— based on their nutritional needs,” he said. “We use a least-cost method, meaning we want to use low-cost, good-quality ingredients to produce good-quality feed. Feed is the biggest expense in production, so efficiency matters.”

While agricultural nutritionists like Dr Morris are helping farmers raise healthy livestock, they still face several challenges. One major one, according to Dr Morris, is that farmers often underestimate how much livestock care depends on TURN TO PAGE XXII

Local agro-processor stands by his brand of beetroot, banana, and pineapple powders

By Michel Outridge

INSTEAD of allowing his fruits to perish while refrigerated, Saul Kerry Dass came up with the idea of dehydrating them into premium powders—a process that birthed a small agro-processing business.

Dass explained that he was accustomed to buying fruits only to see them wasted away in cold storage. “The idea started because of my lifestyle. I had everything on hand, but in this fast-paced environment, time waits for no one. I wasn’t able to utilise the fruits I bought, so they went to waste. I thought about what I could do to make them last longer, and the idea was conceptualised—to have them processed into a powdered product that can be used at any time without having to worry about it perishing,” he said.

After much brainstorming, Dass decided that his best option was to dehydrate the fruit and process it into a

fine powder.

The 32-year-old explained that the process is tedious. After sourcing fruit from local farmers, he handles every step himself because his operation is still new. As he expands, he intends to hire two reliable staff members he can depend on.

Dass told the Pepperpot Magazine that once the pineapples, beetroot, and bananas are washed, they are processed to remove all moisture while retaining nutrients— making them easy to use once ground into a fine powder. He added that the powder can be used as a drink by simply adding water or blended into smoothies, as it retains its full nutritional value.

The product is packaged in food-grade pouches of 200 grams and retailed locally, especially at pharmacies and the Guyana Shop. Dass revealed that he will receive the “Made in Guyana” certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) for his product in

early January or late December.

He plans to have his powders in all supermarkets and shops so they are accessible to everyone. For now, they are also available at Go-Invest, and he looks forward to participating in the upcoming GuyExpo to network, market, and showcase his products.

Dass pointed out that he became an agro-processor about six months ago and currently processes his fruits at the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Hope Dehydrating Facility at Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara.

He stated that much work goes into producing beetroot, banana, and pineapple powders, but he finds it fulfilling.

“It promotes good health in a quick, easy way and is also nutritious for just about anyone,” he said.

“Agro-processing is a lucrative small business once you know what you are doing and are committed to producing a high-quality product that can become a best-seller locally before seeking export opportunities. We can show that we can produce good quality products to high standards, and I am really pleased with the government’s support in adding value to the brand,” Dass added.

He said the support from local agencies motivates him even more to increase production. Dass’s brand is K’s Our Flavour beetroot, pineapple, and banana powders.

The product boosts health naturally—the beetroot powder helps lower blood pressure, boosts energy and brain function, and aids digestion. Beetroot is packed with ben-

efits you cannot miss. It is a local product made at the GMC’s Hope Dehydrating Facility in Guyana. Government intervention through the Ministry of Agriculture actively promotes and supports agro-processors with policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural value chain. Key elements of this support include financial incentives, infrastructure development,

technical training, and facilitation of market access.

Agro-processing and packaging facilities: Investments have been made to establish and operationalise new agro-processing and packaging facilities across different regions. In 2022, $96.5 million was designated for facilities in Sophia, Parika, and Mabaruma.

Facility upgrades: In October 2025, Guyana and India

announced a collaboration to modernise the Central Packaging Facility with a US$1 million investment. This project aims to boost processing efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.

Drying facilities: The government has also invested in dehydrating facilities and solar dryers to help extend the shelf life of perishable agricultural goods and reduce post-harvest losses.

By Michel Outridge

WHEN Dr Johaine McAllister walks into the Veterinary Services Laboratory (VSL) at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), she carries more than a title. As the Acting Laboratory Manager of the country’s only certified public veterinary diagnostic laboratory, she represents a new era of leadership—one defined by precision, compassion, and perseverance.

For Dr McAllister, her journey from the quiet rice-farming village of Mahaicony to national leadership in veterinary science is more than a career—it is a calling, a reflection of the values she inherited from generations of agricultural pioneers. “From my earliest memories of Mahaicony to every stage of my career, agriculture has always been part of who I am. It’s not just a profession—it’s service; it’s purpose,” she reflects.

Rising from the fields of MahaiconyBorn and raised in the sister villages of Catherine and Calcutta, Mahaicony, Dr McAllister’s roots run deep in Guyana’s agricultural heartland. She grew up surrounded by family members who lived by the rhythm of the land—rearing livestock, tending rice fields, and nurturing crops.Her grandfather, a government agricultural professional at the Burma Rice Mill, and her parents, both trained agronomists, set an early example of discipline and service.

When her parents left for Russia to pursue their

Breaking barriers, building legacies From Mahaicony roots to national leadership in veterinary science

productions—a surprising passion that enhanced her confidence and communication skills, both of which would later serve her well in leadership and teaching.

studies, young Johaine was raised by her grandmother, who instilled in her humility, respect, and resilience— traits that would later guide her through the rigours of scientific and professional life.

She recalls her time at Novar Primary School as one of cultural discovery and personal growth. As the only Afro-Guyanese student in her class, she learned empathy, adaptability, and respect for diversity—lessons that continue to shape her leadership style and professional philosophy.

The science of compassionDr McAllister’s fascination with animals and agriculture deepened during her formative years at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), where her parents later worked.Immersed in a world of researchers and livestock scientists, she came to see agriculture as a science capable of transforming lives. Before pursuing her veterinary degree, she volunteered at the Guyana Zoo, where she worked alongside local and international veterinarians.There, her compassion for animals evolved into a mission for animal welfare and public health. Her curiosity also led her to train in cattle artificial insemination under Dr Nicholas Walrond at the National Dairy Development Programme—an experience that strengthened her technical expertise in livestock management.

Outside the laboratory, Dr McAllister explored her creative side through theatre arts, performing in stage

Breaking barriers in Cuba and beyondEncouraged by her uncle, James McAllister, she pursued Veterinary Medicine in Cuba, where she excelled academically and graduated with the distinguished Título de Oro (Golden Title)—an honour reserved for outstanding students.As one of the few women in her programme, she broke barriers through discipline, intellect, and determination.

While studying abroad, she served as a student assistant in the Department of Pathology, sharpening her diagnostic and laboratory skills.Her experience in Cuba prepared her not only for the science of veterinary medicine but also for lead-

ership in a field historically dominated by men.

Leadership and stewardship at GLDAUpon returning to Guyana in 2010, Dr McAllister joined the GLDA as a Field Veterinary Officer. Her work took her from urban clinics to remote farmlands—supporting farmers, improving animal health, and safeguarding food security.

Her diligence and scientific acumen earned her steady promotions, and today she serves as Acting Laboratory Manager at the VSL—the country’s only GYS 170:2021-certified public veterinary laboratory.

This certification ensures that the VSL operates within a robust quality management framework encompassing rigorous quality assurance and control measures, guaranteeing reliable and accurate test results.

By implementing best laboratory practices, the VSL

delivers high-quality services to farmers, veterinary professionals, and wildlife exporters.The laboratory plays a critical role in supporting livestock health and production across Guyana. It bolsters the livestock industry by conducting disease monitoring and control, providing diagnostic testing, and facilitating research relevant to national animal health and food safety.“The work we do here is about more than just science,” Dr McAllister explains.

“It’s about food security, livelihoods, and the well-being of our people. Every test, every diagnosis helps strengthen Guyana’s livestock industry.”Dr McAllister takes great pride in her team and their shared commitment to excellence.

She credits the dedication and professionalism of the laboratory staff as key to the VSL’s success.Together,

they continue to improve diagnostic capacity, respond to emerging animal health challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the development of Guyana’s livestock industry.Her leadership is marked by empathy and mentorship. She acknowledges the guidance of GLDA CEO Dr Dwight Walrond, Mr Michael Welch, Dr Colbert Bowen, and Dr Meghoo in her professional growth, and credits former CEO Mr Nigel Cumberbatch for nurturing her early research interests.

Her scholarly contributions include co-authoring the study “Assessment of Coccidia in Poultry in Guyana” (Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences, 2022) and supporting Bounty Farm Ltd. in producing local vaccines to combat Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) during a national outbreak in 2023—a TURN TO PAGE XXIII

Multi-skilled Sandvoort resident invests in beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood

By Michel Outridge

DIANE Leitch-Hinds, a resident of Sandvoort Village, West Canje, Berbice, Region Six, is a shining example of how passion, dedication, and family collaboration can transform a home-based enterprise into a thriving livelihood.

As a mother of five, LeitchHinds used her free time as a housewife to establish Diane’s Business Enterprise—a family-run honey and beeswax operation hosted from her backyard.

Leitch-Hinds explained that the business is a collective effort: she, her husband, and children care for the hives, catch bees, extract honey from the comb, and bottle the product.

Beyond honey, she takes pride in producing high-quality local beauty care products, including soaps infused with honey, neem, turmeric, lemon, and carrot, as well as

neem oil for hair and skincare. Raw beeswax is also stockpiled and used for various items such as candles, lip balm, hair vaseline, and shoe polish.

Leitch-Hinds began her honey production in 2023, motivated by a desire to maximise the use of honey by-products, even on a small scale.

She has participated in marketing events such as GuyExpo 2024, collaborating with fellow villagers to showcase honey, oils, soaps, lip balms, and other items under a shared booth. These experiences enabled her to build connections and expand her market visibility.

Currently, Leitch-Hinds manages five of her seven backyard hives, housing Africanised bees among mangroves, wildflowers, and vines situated deep in the backlands, away from public interference. During the first honey flow of the year,

she harvested honey with a distinct black sage flavour, reflecting the bees’ foraging on abundant local black sage plants during the dry season.

Leitch-Hinds is preparing for her first participation in Honey Fest 2025, hosted by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) in partnership with the Guyana Food Safety Authority on 31 October at the GLDA, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.“I feel both excited and nervous, but I believe I will manage, especially with the support of other beekeepers and fellow villagers,” she said.

She appreciates that Honey Fest, now in its second year, is a valuable platform for networking, sharing ideas, and learning about the development of the apiculture industry. She looks forward to marketing opportunities at the event and anticipates promoting her TURN TO PAGE XXIV

The Environmental Crises We Do Not See Coming – Creeping Crises

AS I reflect on the damage, loss, and pain behind the hurricane for our Caribbean friends in Jamaica, I feel a deep sense of sadness. Structures and infrastructure that took years—possibly decades—for Jamaicans to build were gone or damaged within a few days. It all happened very quickly. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to predict catastrophic environmental impacts until it’s too late.

As I read the posts online, one Jamaican expressed, “No amount of preparations could’ve prepared us for this.” Many of these events are beyond our control and require measures beyond what we, as humans, are capable of.

These thought-provoking realities are what inspired me to pen this week’s column on the concept of “creeping crises”. I came across the term recently in my studies and thought it appropriate

to discuss it in light of the recent events in Jamaica, to raise further awareness of environmental impacts worldwide—not just in the Caribbean.

“Creeping crises” is perhaps self-explanatory in its name—slow, steady, subtle, quiet changes in our environment over a period of time. Initially, these challenges might seem insignificant and, as the name suggests, simply “creeping”.

Until, of course, one day they are not, and they disrupt our entire lives and everything around us. It might sound like a cloud of gloomy realisations, but I urge you all to read until the end.

Let us consider our own homeland as a case study. I would often listen to stories about how our shorelines in Guyana decades ago were different—filled with more biodiversity than they are now. I also heard stories of the “creeping” impacts over

time, where many people encountered slow yet increasing difficulties over the years due to our decreasing shoreline— from the loss of landmarks or infrastructure to a decline in certain activities on parts of the coast, such as swimming. There are even satellite images to prove that Guyana’s shorelines are receding, yet how often do we consider this an urgent issue? You see, creeping crises are not sudden like hurricanes or floods. They will not be announced on the television with a warning, but the changes in our environment happen slowly over years or decades. Nonetheless, they should be classed as a crisis due to their deadly impacts. Due to the slowness of creeping crises, over time, the effects are normalised and classed as the “new normal”. We must remain vigilant to the world around us and the environmental impacts we might be facing—without

The changes of the shoreline at the Shell Beach Protected Area between 2019 and 2022. Photo by the Protected Areas Commission

even knowing it. From observing the yearly increase in temperature during the dry seasons to noting that the canals are not filled as they were before, or that there are now only three mangroves left instead of five on a specific part of the shoreline, it is important to remain vigilant and raise collective awareness. It is also important to reflect on our individual actions and how they affect the environment we live in.

I want to use this opportunity to call our relevant authorities to action: recognise that creeping crises are just

as important as sudden crises, and further develop holistic policy and enforcement actions to reflect such.

In the case study of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, we see that, over time, environmental degradation, increased land and water use, rising economic activity, and a lack of awareness of creeping crises led to the unfortunate creation of a “dead” sea.

I challenge you all to watch a video or read an article about the Aral Sea and reflect on the slow yet deadly decline of a once-great sea to

better understand creeping crises. I also urge Guyana, the Caribbean, and the rest of the world to heed these examples and learn from them to better adapt cultural beliefs to environmental justice.

I also want to highlight the official hurricane relief link from the Government of Jamaica: supportjamaica.gov.jm. Kindly donate, pledge to donate, or share the link with your friends and family as we join hands with the wider Caribbean community and the world to aid the safe rehabilitation of our fellow Jamaicans.

Dream Big and Live Your Dreams Dream Big and Live Your Dreams

WITH their passion, idealism, and determination, dreamers have the innate ability to achieve their goals. They must, however, be prepared to work hard for what they want, as the path to personal success is often fraught with obstacles. Along the way to achieving their goals, dreamers will undoubtedly encounter toxic people, selfdoubt, time constraints, and failure.

Importantly, none of these should be deterrents; rather, with renewed purpose, dreamers can overcome these challenges and accomplish their goals.

By cultivating valuable habits—such as time management, confidence, and positive thinking—dreamers can pursue their goals more actively. Having big dreams is only the first step; people must also have the skills and the desire to act on them. To be successful, dreamers must be intentional and cannot allow fear to prevent them from living the life they have always imagined. Though the journey may be long and difficult, the end result—the achievement of a lifelong dream—is more than worth it.

1. Having a Dream

Having a big dream does not mean that someone has to sleep and then wake up with great ideas and inspiration. People can dream with their eyes wide open. Dreaming does not have to occur at night but can happen at any time during the day. Everyone needs to have their own dream. For those who have not yet dreamed, they need to start dreaming.

When a person has a dream, it challenges them to change many aspects of their current situation to confirm the direction they will soon have to take. Because of their dreams, some people do not

settle for mediocrity. They are often challenged to keep going after their dreams.

A big question for future dreamers: What would you like to do? When people know what they want to do, they will have the courage to live up to their dreams. However, if a person does not know what they would like to do, they will be comfortable doing the same old things for years.

Every dream has a pull factor in the dreamer’s life, which makes the dreamer uncomfortable. While others are comfortable with their current state of affairs, those with dreams often want to work towards them, which can leave them restless days and nights. Everywhere they go, they are reminded of their dream.

People can change their clothes in order to look different. However, even when people change their clothes, they still have the same desire to accomplish their dreams. A person’s dream is not extrinsic to them; it is intrinsic. Therefore, their dream is always within them, and they cannot run away from themselves.

Oftentimes, dreamers want to be perceived for doing something important or different and to have a great impact on others’ minds. Dreamers know they may have only a short time to make a great impact on others, so they may be stirred to make that impact as soon as possible.

They know that they do not have the luxury of time on their side. They may feel that if they do not pursue their dream, someone else will do what they wanted to do. They want others to know them as the one who implemented or first started something important. When they have a dream, people have to decide where they want to go. While oth-

er people may be relaxing, dreamers have places to go. Once they know where they want to go, they must get there quickly. Getting to their destination is pivotal for them. The road may be long, but they are willing to accelerate their speed to get there.

2. Avoid Negative Thinking

Not everyone believes in themselves when they have big dreams. As a matter of fact, some people start to doubt themselves. They think about their background and all the negative things that have happened to them, and they second-guess themselves.

Those with big dreams may share them with friends, and if those friends respond negatively, it may cause them to doubt themselves. When people keep doubting themselves about their big dreams, they will not work to fulfil them.

Many people will listen to the daily news or read newspapers. Radio, television, and newspapers will include good and bad news. People must be selective in terms of what they listen to or read. To avoid negative feelings and thoughts, certain news reports must be avoided.

For example, the news may report on vehicular accidents, murder, divorce, domestic violence, poverty, economic hardship, etc. Reports about these news items may make the listener very sad rather than happy.

3. Writing Down Your Dreams

Oftentimes, people have greater success when they are disciplined. One thing disciplined people do about their dreams is write down what they plan to do. They may not have all the details, but writing down their dreams now will help them determine how they will pursue them. Writing down dreams can

be done in detail or summary. However, whatever is written down must be sufficient for the dreamer to know what the dream was and what they plan to accomplish.

For example, if a person’s dream is to complete

their master’s degree, writing it down will remind them that they have something to work towards. They may also dream of building the perfect house. After they write down what they will need to construct the house, they will have to gather some details about the dimensions of the house.

People must write down their dreams as early as possible. If they allow too much time to elapse, they may

TURN TO PAGE XI

The lesson will be taught --but all will not heed or follow

BOTH my father and godfather taught me truths that have helped me to repair ill will and persuaded me, at times, to reluctantly understand the nature of those who have surprisingly offended. To understand the value system behind the offence—and more importantly, to understand the personal gift of forgiveness. In some cases, it could also be expressed as farewell with a smile.

Even with family members, there is a common forgetfulness of deeds done yesterday, but it doesn’t require one to linger with a broken heart.

When saddened, reminiscences return with a pointing finger, and regret and reproach are not rec -

ognised for the value they represent. It’s a big world, and everything you think is exclusive to you has been multiplied in legions—so move on.

One’s inner strength and those troubling past experiences will echo resilience: to smile with caution and to explore every landscape that will woo at the cost of one little sacrifice of conscience—without bearing in mind that a sacrifice of conscience does not depart easily, if ever.

And as my godfather once said, “The biggest jumbie that will haunt yuh is a troubled conscience. So, measure what is in your power to do, provided that you’re normal, because science has discovered that there are people wired, brain-wise, differently. They’re called psycho-

paths and sociopaths.

Theirs is a dim dimension, with the simple reception of a smile. Such things you must prematurely understand so as to be aware to step away from.”

My older brother’s passing taught me, and at least one younger brother, a grim lesson; to understand that the creatures that roam the labyrinths of classic mythology do exist. In many ways, the very creatures of mythic realms are summoned by our own actions.

Because their characteristics exist in the human nature of our world—within whom you least expect—and some people know how to summon their true nature.

We had this chat, and he ignored

the analogies, leaving himself open to pay the price. The arrogance that goes with the assumption of knowledge does not always yield fruit. The knowledge of the procedures of every engagement is a priority; the perspectives of one’s ego and dependence on so-called friends shall mislead, sometimes too late for redemption.

But through negotiations over logic and legal procedure toward rational adjustments, one can avoid premature conflict.

Why I chose this topic is rooted in the number of people I’ve met who wish to have things done but demonstrate no respect for, or shared value in, the dual reward of collective satisfaction. Over

the years, I’ve learnt that no human business arrangement can be one-sided.

And some, once commenced without the valued paperwork and understanding, will most likely not yield a worthy memorandum or any clarity of understanding in shared satisfaction, because it was never meant to be.

Always remember that human culture is as diverse as our moods and always requires keen observation and, ever so often, further clarity. It’s all in the culture, and not just in anticipated expectations. Pay attention, and you will see all our folk creatures where least you expect—before you err and regret.

Searching art for life

PLATO was an ancient Greek philosopher considered one of the foundational contributors to Western philosophy. He brought forth many ideas and discussed many theories, but he was also the subject of a well-known anecdote centred on his definition of a human being.

Plato defined a human being as a “featherless biped” and was celebrated widely for the formulation of this definition. However, in blatant rejection of Plato’s statement, a quick-witted philosopher known as Diogenes presented himself to the academy holding a plucked chicken. Interrupting the philosopher’s lecture, Diogenes declared to him, “Behold! I have brought you a man!”

Of course, being a tale from thousands of years ago, we can never know whether it was true. Yet the whimsical story draws our attention to the vastly different ways we interpret the world around us. While one perspective can reduce the existence of a human being to nothing more than the number of feet he has, others may produce definitions so complex that it is simply easier not to define man at all. This difference in

interpretation of life is what makes it so beautiful. If we were not capable of seeing even the simplest things differently from each other, we would be condemned to imprisonment within the limitations of our own minds forever.

Perhaps this is why art has become an integral part of every culture worldwide.

Even the primitive civilisations whose remnants are now nothing more than archaeological artefacts display evidence of some form of art. Art is shaped to imitate life, and it is how we have learned to conserve meaning in our societies.

One can pour his grief into a poem, and another may find hope whilst reading it. One may sing of hatred and war, and another may somehow find love in it. We form emotional connections with art in the way we weep for a character in a book or laugh at the irony in a film.

In essence, we use art to search for life—and more often than not, it is where we find it.

Nevertheless, over the past few years, there has been a bizarre invasion of the space for connection that art has provided us with. We

may encounter pieces of art, usually on the internet, and find them stunningly beautiful and interesting. However, as we continue to examine them, we often realise there is a strange, uncanny quality to them. It feels as if they were made by someone who could not possibly understand the emotions they are trying to evoke through their art—it feels inhuman. Then we discover that our intuition is quite correct. We have begun consuming art made by Artificial Intelligence, and it is changing how we connect with each other.

Most art forms begin with the intention of conveying something to an audience. Artists do not create merely to evoke emotions or responses, but to share their worldview and emotions.

In exchange for the time we take to absorb and analyse someone’s art, we receive new perspectives, new information, and a connection with the world that we could not have achieved solely through our own experiences. Art, in a way, is an extraordinary exchange of emotions between people who may never meet each other in their lives.

When Artificial Intelli -

Dream Big and Live Your Dreams

forget what they want to accomplish or where they want to go. Everyone must treat their dream as something critical for their future.

When dreams are written down, it is often important to set timelines. Many dreams will not be accomplished within a few seconds.

There may be a series of activities that have to be completed for the dream to be realised. With timelines, people know they have work to do to make their dreams a reality. Even if they were undisciplined before, once they

have timelines, they will be pressed to meet them. Whenever research is done, it is important to eliminate any alternatives that are too time-consuming or costly.

After eliminating some alternatives, the dreamer will have a narrow focus on what has to be done. Therefore, all resources will be aligned with a single alternative so that their dream can be accomplished promptly and at a satisfactory cost. When dreams are written down, the mind and body synchronise. Instead of going in a different direction,

FROM PAGE IX

the body will conform to what the mind wants to do. There is so much effort people must put in just to make sure their dreams are realised. When the mind and body are aligned, people become disciplined. For more information about Geary Reid and his books, please use the following contact information: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/gearyreid; Website: www.reidnlearn. com; Facebook: Reid n Learn; Email: info@reidnlearn.com; Mobile #: 592645-2240.

gence is added to the mix, art becomes less meaningful. It is transformed into a materialistic and one-directional vacuum.

There is rarely a sharing of emotions or connection, but it draws our attention away from real people capable of producing profound creations. When we consume

art created by robots, we feel hungry and empty, as if we have just eaten a meal made out of plastic.

As we navigate the 21st century, we face unusual dilemmas for which we do not truly know the remedy. Perhaps Artificial Intelligence can make art more accessible to people.

On the other hand, it may ruin the careers of talented artists. It can be a useful tool, but it can also be a weapon that erases human creativity. For now, let us stick by each other and look for meaning only in places where we are sure to find it—in the voices and hearts of human beings.

Everything Burns: S.A. Cosby’s King of Ashes

A review by Berkley Wendell Semple

A CREMATORIUM plays a central role in S.A. Cosby’s searing new Southern noir novel, King of Ashes (Headline, £17.96). It prefigures the hellish terrain of this violent, morally charged thriller. The crematorium, as one diabolical gangster in the story calls it, is a place where

“everything burns”—even the living. The title could not be more fitting: there is fire, there is heat, and there are plenty of bodies to feed the flames in this scorching thrill ride of a novel.

This is Cosby’s fifth novel, and as with his previous works, the American South serves as both setting and

character—a haunted land of ghosts, sins, and men who know only how to answer violence with more violence. In King of Ashes, these men wield not just guns but also garden shears, hammers, crab mallets, and, fittingly, the consuming fire of the crematorium itself.

Cosby’s South recalls that

of James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series (Heaven’s Prisoners, A Morning for Flamingos, Purple Cane Road), which meditate on violence and evil’s moral resonance, and of Daniel Woodrell’s Appalachian noirs (Give Us a Kiss, The Death of Sweet Mister, Winter’s Bone), where a gun is often the first—and last—word in any argument. Like those worlds, Cosby’s is thick with outlaws and sinners, a sultry inferno populated by men and women whose hands are never clean.

At its core, King of Ashes is about violence and the warped masculinity that feeds it. It is a revenge tale, but one steeped in sorrow—a story of hard choices and human failure. Yet, as in all of Cosby’s novels, family remains the beating heart. His breakout book, Razorblade Tears, told of two fathers—one Black, one white—avenging TURN TO PAGE XIV

YESTERDAY IS GONE

“AND I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me, but your memories will forever live in my heart, my son,” Melissa voiced in silent grief as she looked at her son’s portrait on the wall.“Happy birthday in Heaven, baby.”

Life had been so good and promising—her enthusiasm and love for her job as a schoolteacher, being a mother, and the bliss of marriage—until disaster struck. She had been on her way home from school with her son when the minibus they were travelling in crashed head-on into a loaded Canter. It was a horrific accident, and the last thing Melissa remembered was hugging her son close to her.

Two days later, she regained consciousness, crying in extreme pain from the serious injuries she had sustained, asking for her son. She was told he was okay as

doctors worked to save her leg, which had been crushed in the accident. Her recovery was closely monitored until the doctors thought it was safe enough to tell her the truth about her son.

The news that he didn’t make it devastated her so much that she screamed uncontrollably until they had to sedate her again. A few days later, she had calmed down a little, the pain tying knots in her stomach.

At his funeral, she could barely cry, having lost her voice, and she moaned, “My baby boy, don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”Her husband, who had been working overseas, stayed by her side, sharing her grief and pain, offering supportive words of comfort.

But when the doctors explained that the injury to her leg would be a long road to recovery, and that she might not walk the same way again,

it brought a change over him. He slowly drifted away from her and returned to America.

“So much for love,” Melissa bemoaned.It was another devastating blow

for her, but she had cried so much for the loss of her son that she had no more tears left, and her heart could take no more grief. The road to recovery—mentally and

physically—was not easy, but through therapy, support from women’s groups, and her colleagues, she made it through.Her husband did not return, asking her instead for

a divorce.

“So now, I’m alone,” she sighed deeply. “Lost my son, my husband, and the beautiful life we had.”She had to start all over again, and, one day at a time, got her life back as a primary schoolteacher.

She rented an apartment and moved around with an electric scooter because of the limp she was left with.

“It is God’s will that you survived,” were sentiments expressed to her by family and friends. “You’re still young, and you have your whole life ahead of you.”She smiled at the kind words, but within her was silent pain and no joy.“I feel so empty and lonely,” she said with deep sadness.

All she had left was teaching, and she dedicated her time to that. Her students achieving excellent grades became her happiness, and TURN TO PAGE XXI

Everything Burns: S.A. Cosby’s King of Ashes

the murder of their married gay sons, and was praised by Barack Obama, among others.

King of Ashes is a different book but equally compelling—a story of revenge and damnation, rooted in a Black, middle-class Virginia family that owns a crematorium.

The Caruthers family has earned the American Dream through hard work and sacrifice: a father, a mother, and their three children—Roman, the eldest; Nevaeh; and Dante. But when the mother disappears without a trace, that dream begins to decay.

The family carries on, but the

warmth and closeness erode. Roman leaves for college and becomes a successful money manager for rappers and athletes, while Dante and Nevaeh remain behind, tending to the family business and its endless parade of ashes. The novel quietly suggests that achieving the American

Dream is hard—but keeping it alive is even harder.

Twenty years later, tragedy strikes again. The Caruthers patriarch is run off the road and left comatose. Roman returns home from Atlanta, only to discover that his brother Dante, now a drug addict, owes a

dangerous sum to ruthless gangsters—a “family” of a different, blood-soaked kind. The novel’s tension turns on Roman’s desperate attempt to save his brother and what remains of his family from certain destruction.

Violence, in Cosby’s world, is always the first resort, and it arrives here with shocking suddenness and devastating impact.

Cosby is a master of pacing and atmosphere. His depictions of violence are visceral yet never gratuitous; the emotional toll is as vivid as the blood. Nevaeh’s own quest to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance adds another layer of pathos and tragedy—what she discovers is deeply human, and what she does about it is unforgettable.

Shock and sorrow course

through King of Ashes like a steady drumbeat. The prose, as always with Cosby, is lyrical and finely tuned— metaphoric, muscular, and steeped in Southern cadence. His work stands as proof that crime fiction, at its best, can be both literary and thrilling. King of Ashes accomplishes what great thrillers should: it grips, surprises, and leaves the reader both shaken and moved. Its characters are complex and achingly real; its momentum, relentless. This is Southern noir at its finest—philosophical, propulsive, and unforgettable.

Dark, tragic, and deeply human, King of Ashes shows us the terrible cost of survival and the consuming fire of love and loyalty. Everything burns—and yet, somehow, something still endures.

QC 50th Anniversary Reunion brings...

growing population diversity. He started community engagement and health promotion, advocating for systemic and policy change to address high rates of premature heart disease and diabetes — especially in immigrant and South Asian communities in Canada and globally, including many Guyanese.

Dr Rambihar had the honour of delivering the University College, University of Toronto, Spring 2025 Commencement Address to Science graduates. He reflected on his own days at QC and U of T, and the difficult early choice between mathematics/physics or medicine — saying he chose both, merging maths-based chaos and complexity science with health promotion in novel and inspirational ways. He extended this to a “Global Heart” concept after the 2004 tsunami, detailed in his book Tsunami Chaos Global Heart, available free online. He advised graduates to start early in preventing heart disease and diabetes — both increasing in Canada, Guyana, and globally — noting they are mostly preventable. He advocated healthy living, no smoking or vaping, more physical activity, and reduced alcohol intake. Dr Rambihar suggested that learning outside one’s field would prove valuable later in life, invoking Steve Jobs’s famous Stanford Commencement Address line: “The dots will connect themselves later.”

Like the three brothers graduating in medicine, Vivian’s three daughters are also graduates of medicine in Ontario, Canada, and Assis-

FROM PAGE II

tant Professors of Medicine at the University of Toronto: Dr Sherryn Rambihar, a cardiologist; Dr Nadira Rambihar, a physiatrist (Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine and Sports Medicine); and Dr Vanessa Rambihar, a family physician at Women’s College Hospital. Dr Brian’s daughter Sophie is also a family doctor in the UK.

Drs Vivian, Sherryn, and Nadira Rambihar were part of an inspiring Heart Health Symposium in Guyana in March 2025, sponsored by Chirosyn Canada Inc, and attended by over 600 delegates both in person and online, with Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony among the speakers. The year 2025 is also significant for the brothers’ return: Vivian celebrates 50 years since his medical school graduation, Brian turns 65, and Compton turns 75. Equally important, they say, is being in Guyana to celebrate the historic achievement of their sister Roxanne and to share their stories — hoping to inspire QC students and Guyanese alike.

The source of their inspiration: their mother, Iris, who raised eight children who all attended Bishops’ High and Queen’s College, and their father, William, a teacher, Education Officer, and UG graduate in the university’s first class.

He attended UG at QC at night while Vivian attended QC by day, taking the ferry every day across the Demerara River that Brian hopes one day to run across — teaching at La Grange and later Zeeburg by day, then attending UG in the evening.

Planting Possibilities

comprises a lot of technical work, but out of that area, they can do some type of agriculture work at home to offset some of the finances when it comes to food,” he said. “Food security is very important, especially for persons with disabilities, because it helps to offset some of their expenses. Those who cannot work or whose in -

come is small will be able to do some type of agriculture.”

While the students have seen the fruits and vegetables of their labour today, Sir Trotman explained that the first step was hard. Beginning with land preparation, he guides his students on their farming journey from seed to harvest. “Some students will be very hesitant

because first they have to work in the sun. The start is always the roughest part of the subprime because they have to get their hands dirty, and that is meals we are talking about. After a while, they will develop that rhythm,” he said.

That rhythm comes from a carefully crafted routine designed by Sir Trotman.

Students start with the basics—preparation and understanding what makes the perfect farming conditions.

From there, they are guided through the daily routines of watering, monitoring, and managing their plants.

“The basics are going to be introduced to them, such as prepping the place, cleaning the surroundings, watering

your plants every morning and every afternoon. Simple introductions, and they will take that home with them. If they have plants at home, even if it’s just flowering plants, they know in the afternoons they have to water them. And from there we take it to another step—we have to groom the plants,” he shared.

At Open Doors, the students, aged 16 to 40, have cultivated a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables. As Sir Trotman explained, the Centre is home to thriving plots of cabbage, sweet peppers, hot peppers, celery, mint, squash, beet, ginger, okra, and bell peppers, along with fruit trees such as pineapples, cherries (both local and Suriname), papayas, soursop, box and spice mangoes, and, of course, water coconuts.

With only ten students in each class and dozens of successful plots, the students sell their produce to staff, family, and friends when they harvest—a small gesture with a big impact on their sense of independence.

For Sir Trotman, agriculture and carpentry are more than just vocational skills—they are personal outlets and tools for empowerment. “Carpentry and agriculture are ways for me to detox, I would say. They help me personally, so I can give more.

It grounds me; it gives me a way to express the

skills that I have and to show people that despite your situation, there is something out there that you can go and do to get 100% of it. There is something out there,” he explained. His work with persons with disabilities is guided by empathy and the understanding that they are just as capable as anyone else, and that anyone could one day find themselves in a similar situation. “Dealing with persons with disabilities, anyone can be in that position. So I would urge all persons to get involved in agriculture. Because at some time, you may find yourself in that position,” Sir Trotman added.

To him, agriculture is not only practical but also therapeutic. “All persons who have a disability, or even if they don’t, can find themselves in agriculture. It’s a broad area and very important to the body. You get in touch with the earth, that can take away those negative charges within you and discharge them,” he said.

The Open Doors Centre demonstrates that agriculture can cultivate more than food—it can nurture confidence, independence, and a deeper connection to the world around us. For Sir Trotman’s students, every seed planted and every vegetable harvested is a step towards self-reliance and tangible proof that meaningful growth is possible for all.

YESTERDAY IS GONE

the school itself earned greater recognition.The years went by, and during that time, she changed apartments three times for better convenience and comfort. Then one day, she received a call from the Ministry of Housing, telling her that her application for a house lot had been approved. For the first time in a long while, she felt a special joy in her heart.

The process for a bank loan took some time; then it was about getting a contractor to prepare the land and build.

She rediscovered her enthusiasm for something new—on-site daily to watch something she could now call her own take shape. One year later, she moved into her dream home during the Christmas season so the lights and décor could bring a spark into her life. During that blessed season, she adopted a puppy born to a stray mother.

He was so cute and chubby that she named him Bubbles. He would cuddle on the sofa with her when she was reading or watching television. Some nights, though, she would hear him whimper and wonder, “Is he missing his mother?”

So one day after school, she drove back to the compound where the stray mother had given birth and saw her sitting there, so lonely, for all her pups had been adopted.“Are you missing your babies?” Melissa asked, stroking her head.

The mother dog looked at her with longing, soulful eyes, and she decided to take her home. It was such a joy watching the mother-and-son reunion—it brought tears to Melissa’s eyes.“Well, at least you have one of your sons with you, and we’re now one family.”The mother dog, named Penny, overjoyed, lifted herself up on her hind legs to lick Melissa.Melissa hugged her, saying, “I know how it feels to lose your child.”

They were now a family, and it gave her quite a nice feeling to take time out in the afternoon for walks.“And when,” her mother asked her one day, “are you going to find someone to share your life?”“Am I not happy and comfortable as I am?”“Yes, but you know…”Melissa interrupted her, a little teas-

FROM PAGE XIII

ingly, “Don’t worry, Mum, a nice guy may walk into my life one day, but right now I am not looking.”

Two months later, someone came by—but it wasn’t a nice guy. It was her ex-husband on holiday, wanting to see how she was doing.“I survived,” she told him, “and found some joy again in my life.”

“That I can see,” he said. “Happy for you. I’m sorry—”She lifted her hand to stop him. “Don’t say it, I don’t want to hear it.”He sighed with a wry look on his face and took out two bags from his SUV.“I brought a little something for you.”“No, thanks,” she said with a kind smile. “I’m doing okay.”

That night, lying in bed, she sighed, “The nerve of him; he didn’t even mention our son.”That Sunday, whilst she was walking her dogs in the park, a man exercising smiled at her as he walked by.“Nice guy,” she said to Bubbles and Penny. “What do you think?”Bubbles showed his appreciation by making a little woof.

When he came around again, he stopped and said, “I may be wrong, but aren’t you the young teacher who had an accident some years ago?”“Ah, yeah,” she answered, surprised.

“How did you know that?”“I was an intern at the hospital that day when they brought you in.”“Oh,” she sounded even more surprised, “and you remembered me from so long ago?”“I know it sounds strange,” he laughed a little, “but it kinda impacted my mind that day when you were crying out for your son, not knowing he was gone.”That stunned her a little, and she smiled with tears in her eyes. “Those words just touched my heart.”He smiled and said in a sincere tone, “Good to see you.”

That night, sitting on the sofa with Bubbles snuggled next to her and Penny at her feet, she said to her son, “So many things have happened over the years, my son, and I held on to yesterday, but now I see yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may have something good and refreshing. But your memories will continue to live in my heart forever.”

Championing Smarter Poultry...

proper feeding. He explained that feed accounts for more than 50 per cent of total operating costs. “In poultry production or in any sort of monogastric operation, feed is about 70 to 75 per cent of your total operational costs. I think that’s where some folks get pulled off—not realising

that these animals need to be fed, and feed should always be available, especially for broilers. They’re producing meat, so feed should always be available.”

Good nutrition for chickens is about more than growing them fast—the food they eat profoundly impacts

the meat, and by extension, the people who consume it. While bigger chickens may be better for the farmer, poultry nutritionists like Dr Morris are equally focused on ensuring the meat is safe and natural, avoiding the use of unnatural steroids. “Some folks may get into poultry

production on a small or midsize scale, not understanding all the facts about feed and nutrition. If you don’t have control over your nutrition, you are likely to run into trouble with growth performance, birds meeting the right weight, and even disease challenges,” he said. “The feed and the quality of feed are very important in poultry production because if you don’t have the right nutrition, you cannot grow to meet your true genetic potential. And that goes for anybody or any living thing.”

Another hurdle often faced is the lack of farmer education and in-depth knowledge about the food, additives, and nutrients required for livestock. Speaking to small farmers in particular, Dr Morris urges them to take a closer look at what they

or improper brooding.” He added, “Brooding is that first phase where you try to create an environment like what the mother of the chick would provide—heat, comfort, water, and everything else. If that is not done correctly, you run into problems later on.”

Ventilation and humidity are also crucial factors, Dr Morris explained. Rearing chickens to their full potential requires balance and consideration for changing conditions. “If it’s too humid, some folks may feel that because it’s cool outside, the birds would be comfortable, but that cool air can be trapped in the barn, causing wet litter where microbes and pathogens multiply. Common diseases like coccidiosis and chronic enteritis can result in mortalities,” he said. “You also need to know when the

wanted to go to grad school,” he said.

Dr Morris mentors young minds through scientific research, writing, and conferences—all aimed at developing a new generation of skilled agriculturists. “I mentor them in reading scientific articles and research skills, then bring them up to the US for conferences so they can see students presenting at graduate and undergraduate levels. Based on their interest—food safety, nutrition, genetics—I connect them with professors at different universities,” he shared.

“Over the years, I’ve had quite a lot of students pass through. Recently, I had five students at Auburn University, two at Mississippi State, and one at the University of Georgia. There were two others at UGA who are grad-

feed their animals—and by extension, the nation. “Some farmers do not even know what’s in the feed. They just think it’s corn and soybean meal. They don’t know about the calcium, phosphorus, enzymes, or amino acids, which are critical components of the diet. They should at least have a fair understanding of the quality of the feed,” he said.

However, food is not the only factor that influences livestock health. As Dr Morris explained, there are many other contributing elements—some less obvious than others. Urging farmers to examine all underlying factors, from exercise and exposure to handling and health, he noted, “In most developing countries, we do not have the facilities to test feed quickly to confirm if it has the right levels of nutrients. So nutritionists and feed often get the blame, but there may be other challenges— management-related issues, problems when the chicks were hatched or transported,

birds are supposed to be out. If the birds are generally supposed to be finished in six weeks, you don’t need to have them beyond that. The bigger they are, the more feed they need, so you lose money.” While he is working to ensure farmers raise healthy chickens, Dr Morris is equally focused on raising a new generation of agriculturists.

“I strongly believe that agricultural education is one of the best investments anyone could make. My passion is people and human development. This is just stuff I do on the side, with my own resources,” he said.

For the past several years, Dr Morris has served as a mentor and guide to many young Guyanese seeking to pursue degrees in agriculture abroad. “It started during my master’s programme, mentoring minorities in STEM at the University of Missouri. From there, I started doing similar work with Guyana and UG. I have friends who are lecturers at UG, so I’d have them help me select students who

uating this November. They did their final-year research there and are both starting graduate programmes soon.”

From a young Berbician to a leader and mentor in his field, Dr Morris has become an advocate for the opportunities that come with studying agriculture. While the sector may seem like simple farming or livestock rearing, he believes it is much more—a foundational pillar of national development and a path to personal growth.“For me, it’s about leveraging my network within academia and the industry to tap into the talent we have in Guyana, whether from UG or GSA, and giving them exposure to what’s possible in agriculture and animal science,” he said. It’s a really good feeling to see people tap into their potential and passion because I know what it did for me, coming from Berbice. I was always dreaming big, but I know what it did for me and my family, and I know what it can do for them.”

Breaking barriers, building legacies

landmark achievement in local veterinary innovation.

A woman in science, a mother in serviceDr McAllister’s accomplishments are even more remarkable given her commitment to balancing professional leadership and family life. Married to civil engineer Eric Morris and mother to a 14-year-old son, she continues to pursue higher education while fulfilling her demanding professional duties. “Motherhood taught me discipline in a different way,” she says. “It gives you perspective—it reminds you why you work hard and who you’re working for.”

As a lecturer at the Guyana School of Agriculture, she teaches Veterinary Pathology, Parasitology, and Animal Health, nurturing the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Her students often describe her as passionate, firm, and deeply invested in their success—qualities that mirror her own academic journey.

Shaping the future of livestock developmentDr McAllister’s leadership aligns closely with Guyana’s national agenda for food security, livestock productivity, and sustainable agriculture.

As a professional, she is desirous of contributing to the strengthening of diagnostic systems, advancing biosecurity, and promoting responsible antibiotic use to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).“Agriculture

FROM PAGE VI

is not just about production,” she emphasises. “It’s about people, communities, and the legacy we build for generations to come.”Further, with the guidance of Dr Dwight Walrond, she and her team will continue to work ardently at the VSL to expand its diagnostic and research capacity—reinforcing GLDA’s mission to promote animal health, improve productivity, and enhance public confidence in the nation’s livestock sector.

A legacy of leadershipAt just 39, Dr Johaine McAllister stands among Guyana’s most accomplished female veterinarians—a symbol of resilience, intellect, and service.

From her humble beginnings in Mahaicony to her current stewardship of the nation’s premier veterinary laboratory, she continues to inspire a new generation of women in science and agriculture.

Her story is not merely one of personal success but of national contribution—a reminder that true leadership grows from integrity, purpose, and the unyielding desire to serve.

“I’m proud of the work we do at the Veterinary Services Laboratory,” she says. “Every effort my team makes contributes to the development of Guyana’s livestock industry. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable future for agriculture.”

Multi-skilled Sandvoort resident invests in...

products at the Christmas niche market, recognising their appeal as excellent gift items.

The GLDA has supported Leitch-Hinds by providing three bee boxes last year, enabling her to gain practical experience in bee rearing. To ease labour-intensive tasks, she invested in a honey extractor, which she uses extensively to efficiently process honey from the comb. As a self-taught beekeeper, she learned through research, guidance from fellow villagers, and government training programmes. Today, she also serves as a mentor to teenage beekeepers in her community.

Beyond apiculture, Leitch-Hinds is a successful cash-crop farmer, cultivating cabbage, celery, peppers, tomatoes, and boulanger, which she sells to wholesale buyers. She emphasises that financial independence has strengthened her confidence as a woman entrepreneur and a member of Guyana’s apiculture sub-sector. She is confident that the apiculture industry is on a positive growth trajectory and is increasingly viewed as a viable

FROM PAGE VII

primary livelihood, rather than merely a supplemental income source.

As an apiculturalist, Leitch-Hinds supports the implementation of standards and good agricultural practices, including a traceability system to ensure that honey supplied to the market is safe and of high quality, giving consumers confidence in their purchases. Looking ahead, she aims to improve her product packaging and labelling to meet international standards and aggressively pursue new markets-- both locally and internationally.

Leitch-Hinds reflected on the personal fulfilment her work provides, describing the “adrenaline rush” of handling her bees, often assisted by her children.“Doing what I love, caring for my bees, and producing products that benefit my family and community is incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Looking forward, she hopes to expand her beekeeping operations to a larger scale, while continuing to innovate and contribute to the growth and professionalisation of Guyana’s apiculture industry.

STUDY SUCCESS

Welcome, dear reading friend. It is about time you become highly specific about your examination issues, concerns, or tasks. Go ahead. Identify your causes of anxiety and, alongside them, list helpful techniques of prevention and control, such as blotting out fear, overcoming cognitive difficulties, and addressing past negative experiences. Begin to study assiduously.

Include manageable routines such as note-making, self-testing, and tackling and submitting assignments. Overcome key issues like poor time management and ineffective study habits. Be wise.

Love you.

READING

Understanding facts in reading

Note: When we talk about understanding facts in read-

ing, we address the understanding of facts obtained from reading a text. To make sense of the text, we connect with facts such as: i) those that involve identifying verifiable information, ii) those that are distinguished from opinions, and iii) those that require comprehension strategies to be connected.

Facts are objective statements. They are proven true or false through evidence. Opinions are subjective statements of beliefs, feelings,

November 2nd, 2025

tastes, or interpretations of the person(s) proffering them. There are pure opinions that cannot be proven true or false. There are some based on facts, and others are predictive. These last-mentioned categories can be proven right or wrong through evidence.

Here are some performances that you can do to show that you read and understand facts:

i) Summarising the text’s main points, ii) Visualising what is being described,

iii) Asking questions to clarify, and

iv) Using graphic organisers to separate facts from opinions.

Read the following two short passages carefully and, with a keen understanding of facts, respond to the respective questions based on each.

Passage One

As they watched the sun rise across the lake, Mahroud’s father said to him and Sahram, “Come, my children, let us retrace our steps homeward.” As they journeyed silently, they watched their long shadows stretched out before them like three unequal minarets.

1. Was it morning or evening?

2. On which shore of the lake, east or west, were they standing?

3. Which was the way home: to the east or to the west?

Passage Two

When leaving the treetop, the heron did not fly directly to the water’s edge. He alighted some six to seven yards away from it and stood perfectly still for a few minutes. Then with quiet, stealthy tread, he glided into the shallow water without making a ripple and stood with his bill ready to strike at any living thing.

1. What was the heron waiting for in the water?

2. Tell the meaning of each word and phrase used: alighted, yards, shallow water, glided, bill.

3. These words tell what the heron did with stealth, while in the water. Choose the correct order: (A) walking, standing; (B) leaving, alighting; (C) standing, walking; (D) standing, alighting.

4. Explain and demonstrate to your study partners the actions in the following statement: “Then with quiet,

Scholars

dispute, and the case is still before the courts.

HORACE (65-8 B.C.) Ars Poetica, 78

stealthy tread, he glided into the shallow water.”

5. Why did the heron alight on the ground and not in the water’s edge?

(A) The ground was solid.

(B) He did not want to frighten any living thing.

(C) He was afraid of the water.

(D) He wanted to make some noise.

IMPROVING GRAMMAR

Looking at your progress in subject and verb agreement

Choose the correct verb in each sentence, then compare with your study group partners’ responses.

First Group

1. This dress suit, as well as my earring set and headdress, (is, are) newly arrived.

2. (Was, Were) Jackie Spenser expecting her young daughter to win a prize in the Teeny-Weeny sun-dress category?

3. There (was, were) very many of her rivals shopping late on the evening before the event.

4. The biggest problem (was, were) the absentees from the semi-final lists.

5. Our female group (has, have) won the “Best Uniformed” trophy three seasons in a row.

6. News (is, are) spreading rapidly on these new developments.

7. This new evidence (doesn’t, don’t) make any difference in the people’s beliefs on the matter.

8. Each of the pigeon peas bushes (has, have) differently shaped and colourful pods.

9. He is one of those husbands who (is, are) always challenging authority about employment terms for married men.

10. A number of accidents (has, have) since taken place at that junction of roads in question.

11. Johnson’s attitude, not yours, (is, are) the one thing the standing committee always (complains, complain) about.

Second Group Note: This group is provided to illustrate some uses of the colon (:).

1. After a complete sentence, followed by a list of items.

a) Doctors carry many things these days: manuals, notebooks, pens, and cellphones.

b) In the dead man’s briefcase were found these curious objects: a pair of small needlework scissors, two sizes of nail clips, a bottle of blue nail polish, and a half-finished bottle of crab oil.

2. To separate two complete sentences when the second sentence explains, amplifies, or illustrates the first.

a) Today’s single-parent mothers often find themselves with double jeopardy: they have low-paying jobs and disciplinary problems with their teenage children.

b) The young heirs of today often find themselves with many unsolved problems: they have property and no financial support mechanisms.

3. To introduce a long or formal quotation.

a) Article 1 of the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:

“All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representative.”

b) I am reminded of the words of Shakespeare: “This was the noblest Roman of them all; all the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great Caesar.”

4. After the greeting of a formal letter.

a) Dear Sir or Madam: b) Dear Ms. Williams:

Quality assurance in dentistry

WHENEVER you visit the dentist, do you know if you are getting value for money? Or better yet, how do you know that you are receiving the required treatment? Do we in Guyana have an institution, laws, or the means to evaluate the quality of dental treatment provided to the public? One factor that enhances the perception that a country is developing is the presence of a viable system of quality assurance for public services rendered.

During the last year, the State’s dental clinics provided the Guyanese population with close to 250,000 procedures. There has, in fact, never been an institutionalised strategy to analyse and account for the quality of service the public receives. Although the parameters of quality assurance are still evolving, the time is right for the first step in this direction, even if it is merely very serious consideration.

The economy, social values, and sense of distributive justice shape the philosophy underlying quality assurance. All of these, over time, define the purpose of quality assurance. For many years, the philosophy was simply that healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide care in the patient’s best interests and within the scope of scientific and clinical possibility.

At its core, this philosophy was an ethical principle—that healthcare, and the quality of it, was a somewhat private matter between the practitioner and the patient.

With time, the practitioner’s responsibility extended to society as a whole rather than solely to individual patients. Given Guyana’s contemporary political history of close interaction between the state and the people, there is a real justification for, and a duty to, account more explicitly for services delivered. At first, such public accountability was often more punitive and commonly referred to as an

effort to find the “bad apples in the barrel.”

Recently, however, the philosophy has shifted from quality assurance to quality improvement. This is a more educational, consultative, and problem-solving approach. The philosophy of quality improvement emphasises the goal of improving patient care. The responsibility for quality of care involves all aspects of the delivery system or organisation. Thus, the focus is on improving the system’s overall performance rather than identifying deficiencies in individual practitioners. Another hallmark of the quality improvement philosophy is the persistent attention to identifying areas that need improvement, analysing data to discern the factors contributing to problems, planning interventions, and checking the results of those interventions.

Quality assessment consists of methods and tools used for measuring the quality of care. The specific tools used in assessing quality of care include performance indicators, review criteria and ratings, benchmarks, standards, clinical guidelines, and practice parameters.

Issues regarding the quality of care are viewed within the context of the entire system. This assumes that patient care is achieved only through the interactions, collaboration, and interdependent functions of many people and departments. This means that if, say, the administration fails to provide an item for healthcare delivery, the practitioner shares the blame for the service deficiency—as they are part of the team—and vice versa.

One problem we face is that a major part of the philosophy originates in the United States, where there is no such person as a government dentist. In addition, financial constraints exert extra pressure on administrators, who are obligated to be very innovative for quality improvement to be a reality.