Guyana Chronicle Pepperopt E-Paper 07-08-2022

A day out at ‘Esau and Jacob’ and ‘Wash Clothes’ Villages

Brian Persaud (left) of Esau and Jacob Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony, is just 14 years old, but has already taken up big responsibilities in helping his parents on their farm. In this photo, he is seen on horseback alongside a farm employee. They are heading five miles into the backdam to bring their cows home (Carl Croker photo)

Sunday, August 7, 2022

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Big bands and the August boat excursions in ‘BG’

THE headline certainly reflects on an exciting part of life and living in British Guiana (BG) in the month of August during the colonial era. This feature article will focus mainly on the popular ‘steamer’ excursions during the August holidays. There were two types of river activities in which the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) ferry boats were chartered by private citizens who held functions on our waterways. There were the “Mid-stream excursions”, when the steamer would simply leave the T&HD wharf in Kingston, on upper Water Street, and go out into the middle of the Demerara River and drop anchor, where music and dancing and drinking and romance blossomed, and everyone had a great time. Those events, which went way past midnight, were provided with live music by one of the popular bands of the day. ‘Tom Charles and the Syncopators’ was the most popular of the big bands in the colony during the 1950s and 1960s, and his band was always hired. Of course, there was the archrival big band, ‘The Washboards’, which also got bookings for river excursions. Both ‘bands’ drew massive crowds whenever and wherever they played, be it on land or one of the waterways. Both ‘bands’ had their loyal followers who faithfully attended those river excursions. Those “mid-stream” river excursions provided lots of jollification, and the steamers were usually packed to capacity. Nonetheless, they were usually safe, since all precautions were put in place to ensure the safety of the revellers. At times, there were boat excursions from Georgetown to Leguan, at the estuary of the Essequibo River, as well as to the historic Fort Island, a few miles upriver. There were

Tom Charles, left, being presented with an Award by Major Henwood of the BG Militia Band also excursions from Georgetown to Bartica, located about 50 miles up the Essequibo River. The ferry boats would depart Georgetown, sometimes before sunrise, especially those excursions to Bartica, which is about 80 miles from Georgetown by water. Many of those who attended usually took their own food and drinks. However, the music was one of the most popular elements of River Excursions, especially during August, in the olden days. There were occasions when promoters chartered two boats to accommodate the hundreds of those who attended those popular boat excursions. There was that occasion when a two-boat excursion from Georgetown to Bartica caused a very awkward comedy situation. About 60 persons had travelled to Bartica on the first boat. I was on that second boat which was running a bit late. Those persons who had travelled on the first boat had decided that they would “jump ship”, so to speak, and remain at Bartica and return to Georgetown on the second boat on which The Tom Charles Syncopators band was. When that second boat arrived at Bartica, the first boat had just departed on its return journey to Georgetown. The Captain of that second boat realised two important factors: If he docked, passengers would go touring around the (then) village and delay the scheduled return of his ship. As such, he decided not to moor the ship at Bartica.

So, as the steamer slowly sailed past the Bartica stelling, there were screaming persons who had deserted their ship for the second one. Some were using colourful language, demanding to get on board. They were still shouting and using all the expletives, both local and foreign, but to no avail. That second boat just did a ‘U-turn’ as it commenced its return journey to the city. That situation provided much fun for us on that second boat. As the steamer sailed out of the Essequibo River and out into the rough Atlantic Ocean, Tom Charles and his Syncopators were taking a well-deserved rest. However, as the steamer completed the Atlantic leg of the return journey to Port Georgetown, a mutiny of sorts erupted. One man decided that it was “time for some music”. He demanded of Tom Charles to provide “some sounds”. Tom yawned, and slowly nudged one of the band members. The patron decided that the great Tom Charles’ actions were not sufficiently responsive, and began to rain down some expletives on the celebrated Guyanese musician. “Wake up you [so-and-so] boys, and give we some sounds, Tom. Or [you so-and-so] want mutiny on this boat?” Five minutes later, Tom Charles did have some genuine musical sounds as the August excursion T&HD ferry boat sailed incident-free into the well-lit, no-blackout, clean-as-a-whistle Port Georgetown, the Garden City of the Caribbean.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Stroke survivors support group now official

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--persons needing help encouraged to join

THE Stroke Survivors Support Group, officially launched recently, is continuing to make a real difference in the lives of many patients who would’ve suffered a stroke or neurological disorder, and needed practical help to recover after being discharged from the hospital. The 60 or so registered members of the group were fortunate enough to be referred to it, since there are many patients across the country who are unaware of the services being offered, and how they can access them. “There are lots of people who are not aware of our services, or are in the far-flung areas and are unable to have access to a department. So they just lie there thinking that’s the end for them,” Rehabilitation Assistant Gra-

Some of the members of the Stroke Survivors Support Group cella Bacchus has observed. She was present last Wednesday at the Soup Kitchen, based in the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, with Physiotherapist

Elton Newton assisting patients with their exercises, which many of them diligently show up for every Monday and Wednesday. Once recently discharged,

Group President Michael Edghilo (right) and Secretary Raymond Bovell

Exercise in session last Wednesday

bigger group that has already made progress that Gracella and Elton allow more freedom to do the exercises on their own. “Some of them have balance problems, especially the ones who were recently discharged,” Elton pointed out as he noted some of the other purposes that the group serves. “Many of them have high blood pressure and diabetes, and if not controlled, they are at risk for another stroke or medical condition, so we are here to remind them about that, and to make sure that the exercises are done safely.”

“We have patients here who had neurological conditions; not all are stroke patients. Some would have had traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, etc. After they would have improved at the Palms clinic, they join the group, and come here two times a week for an hour each to do the therapy exercises,” Gracella explained. Having been working with persons with disabilities for the past 15 years, her role is now to help the patients go through the exercise programme, get registered with the Disability Commission, remind them about their

Rehabilitation Assistant Gracella Bacchus (right) and Physiotherapist Elton Newton they’d need a significant medication, the need to bring amount of help to do the exACCESSING THE their necessary equipment to ercises that are so essential to SERVICE therapy, take their ‘meds’ on their recovery, but there’s the time, and make arrangements for them to see a doctor at the Palms. “Depending on the part of the brain that is damaged, some of them don’t understand what you’re saying, and it takes a long time to get the process going. Some of them seem fine, walking and so forth, but they may have communication problems,” Gracella shared. Elton spoke about some of the benefits that members of the group enjoy. “When they come here, they get to socialise and know they are not the only people going through this. Many of them are at home all the time, and this is the one or two times a week that they get to interSEE PAGE XXIV

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

New ‘Book A Ride’ service shifting culture of local transportation

PERHAPS you just want to get to work because you’re late, or you just want to get home because you’re not feeling well or had a bad day. But the taxi driver just won’t stop talking or trying to engage you in conversation. The feelings can be overwhelming and, more so, irritating. Book A Ride, the new talk of the town, promises that you’ll not have this and suchlike scenarios to deal with once you download their app and give them a try. They’re big on training their drivers, Public Relations and Marketing Manager Jocelle Archibald shared with Pepperpot Magazine. With the influx of tourists and oil executives pouring into the country at the moment, the management of Book A Ride is cognizant of the fact that these individuals are accustomed

to a certain level of service back at home hence the need for training of the local drivers. “We allow you to rate your driver. So based on the ratings is how we’ll know if we should keep the driver. If you keep getting bad ratings, then we can’t keep you. We also provide training for the drivers on how to use the app; hospitality training, how to deal with customers if they’re having a bad day or don’t want to talk, and how to read the body language of your customer,” Archibald, a former news and radio personality explained. Having been in the media for 15 years, things became too routine for Archibald. She found that she was doing the same thing every day. Wanting a challenge and to do something different, she opted for marketing and public relations. Book A Ride is just the kind of thing she wanted. “The first thing that we worked on is getting Guyanese to catch up with the world. We are here creating a culture shift in terms of how persons get transportation in Guyana. For the longest while, we have been picking up the phone to call a taxi. We are allowing persons to be more tech-savvy. So if you want a car, you use an app to book your ride instead of calling a service.” According to her, safety is the number one priority of Book a Ride. The safety aspect of the app is in fact, making everybody gravitate towards it. “You get to see your driver, the license plate of the car that’s coming for you, the type of car. You don’t have to wonder where your taxi is or what it looks like. From the minute you book your ride and it’s confirmed, you can track your driver.” Female taxi drivers have also been tapping into Book A Ride because of the safety features. “We have a 24-hour A new culture of transportation is being created monitoring system. We boast

Public Relations and Marketing Manager Jocelle Archibald about our safety features. There’s a panic button on the app. If there’s any emergency while traveling in one of our cars, you hit that panic button and we’re going to get you help. So it’s not just you and the driver and god, we are monitoring you in case anything happens.” The pricing is also very competitive, Archibald noted, as the ride would cost basically the same or even cheaper than those at regular taxi services. “So far we have over 40 drivers, and we are looking for more drivers, especially those with their own cars. You don’t have to leave your base, you don’t have to leave your job. Once you have a hire care license, you can come off your 9 to 5 and start working for us right away,” Archibald pointed out. A lot of people are excited about the new venture because everyone is on their smartphone right now. “The rest of the world is moving ahead and we are very behind,” Archibald observed. So far, 2,000 persons have downloaded the app.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

All about the close-knit communities of ‘Esau and Jacob’ and ‘Wash Clothes’

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Ideal for farming and a simple way of life The Pepperpot Magazine journeyed by road to the farfetched villages of Esau and Jacob and Wash Clothes, Branch Road, Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to highlight the way of life of the locals. To get there, you have to take a long winding road which is about seven miles from the main public road, and it is the last two villages that are accessible by road. Beyond that is a cluster of small riverine villages and the only way to get there is via boat. Along this stretch of road, there are two large rice mills, a few shops, vast rice fields and farmlands and dwelling houses that are scattered along the way. The most populated village on that road is Perth Village and there are about 10 villages, some very small with just a few families and houses. Esau and Jacob/Wash Clothes are agricultural villages where they cultivate rice on a large scale, grow vegetables, and fruits and rear cattle, poultry and livestock. Following the flood last year, these communities were heavily affected and the livelihood of many was at stake because the flood waters stayed on the land for four months. Almost all the livestock and crops perished and the locals were forced to restart their lives by re-planting and replacing the animals they depend on to make a living. When the flood hit, things became quite bleak for the residents, who counted their losses, and some moved out of the area while others stayed and tried to rebuild their shattered lives. Recently, another flood caused crops to be destroyed, and the water only receded a few days ago, so there is no harvest and rice farmers complained that it is more costly now to replant rice since they have to pump water off the fields before planting. It is noted that it puts additional pressure on their equipment, and it requires more labour and manpower. The farmers are semi-self-sufficient, and they rely on the weather for a good harvest since it is their only source of income. The residents would commute via taxis or their own vehicles to central Mahaicony, where there are supermarkets,

The main access road and dirt pathway in the village

hours of working on the farms and rice fields and tending to livestock. Due to the rainy conditions, they have to check on cows daily and often have to relocate them to higher ground. The men in the family would journey via horseback to tend to the cows and relocate them constantly. The women would assist on the farms tending to crops, and livestock as well as complete the household chores and whatever else needed attention. It was noted that, despite the odds against them as a result of flooding, the people are determined and would bounce back after suffering from many Locals going about their daily activities in the village (Carl Croker photos) losses. stores, a market and other busiThe locals hardly have any time to idle since they are nesses to buy essentials. always doing some work in and around the house or on the The people of these villages farms. are normal everyday, down-toearth hardworking folk whose All the lands that are used for farming are privately owned, lives revolve around farming. and they are quite vast. They (the lands) go as far as the eye They come from a long line can see, and they accommodate large-scale farming, whether of farmers and have lived all it is rice, cattle rearing or cash crops. their lives in the community The village has electricity, potable water and internet they call home. service provided by a private company. There are no The villagers lead simple landline phones but some reception via cell phones on both lives by going about their dai- local networks. ly chores, which include long

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Enduring the test of harsh weather

By Michel Outridge

FOR Kishan Deonarine Persaud, farming is his way of life. Having spent all his life in Esau and Jacob Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony, this is the most practical way for him to earn. The 34-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has some cows and he has a cash crop farm and he makes ends meet. Persaud stated that he has his farm behind his house, and just over the road, he has some more farmlands which he utilises for rearing cows and farming.

The cow pen

Farmer, Kishan Deonarine Persaud (Carl Croker photos)

Farmer, Rishi Persaud and his wife, Nyoka Persaud

The father of two added that life is not very fastpaced in that community, but it is suitable for him because he is accustomed to his space, privacy and no neighbours. Persaud would sell his vegetables right in Branch Road. He does house-tohouse delivery via his motorcycle, and he has the support of his wife, who tends to the cows and crops with him. “I am blessed because the people in this community support me by buying my vegetables, and I don’t have to leave the village to sell and that suits me well,”

he said. The farmer related that life is fair in that section of the country, but the

village and is awaiting a good harvest. With that harvest, he will be able to reap every other

current administration. The 44-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is originally from Wash

Brian Persaud in the company of a worker heading to the back lands to tend to the cows

Kishan Deonarine Persaud tending to his cows

only worrisome thing is the floods. From December to June, they suffered two floods which caused his crops to be destroyed and his cows had to be relocated to higher ground to survive. Persaud feels there is a need for better breeding stock in cattle rearing to sustain his livelihood. He has about 60 cows with 20 milking cows, and he would also sell the milk in the village. “I like the quietness of this place. It is just perfect for a simple life, no neighbours, no noise and it is a place fixed in nature,” he said. Persaud, like many farmers, has now re-planted following the flooding in the

day to upkeep his customers. He would also be tasked with taking his cows out to graze in the back lands via horseback daily and allowing them to feed for four hours before he brings them into the pen. Nyoka Persaud, the village volunteer Nyoka Persaud is a mother, housewife and also a volunteer who lends her time to assist in community development. Presently, she is involved in distributing the government’s cash grant of $25,000 per household for riverine and hinterland, and she goes out daily to riverine villages in the region to distribute the cash facilitated by the

Clothes, the neighbouring village, but got married and settled in Esau and Jacob for many years. She related that during the flood, when the administration visited to distribute hampers to residents she was asked to assist in the venture during the four months the flood waters remained on the land. The mother of three stated that due to the frequent flooding in the village there is a need for an upgrade in the drainage and irrigation system to minimise the effects of widespread flooding. It was noted that due to climate change, the creek cannot take the water off the SEE PAGE XIX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

A trip to Wash Clothes Village, Mahaicony

By Michel Outridge The thought of having to relocate to a thickly populated village is very daunting for Jenny Balkaran of Wash Clothes Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony, who has lived her entire life in the community. The 55-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine relocation is not for her because she is home-grown and Wash Clothes is the only place she has lived, and moving is not

inside the property. “This is the life we face, plenty flooding and it is creating hardship on us but we cannot give up, where we will go, this is where we belong,” she said. Balkaran stated that all the crops were destroyed on the farm and only a few sheep survived. She is, however, grateful for the one-off cash grant payment of $25,000 from the current admiration for riverine and hinterland.

hari is also a resident of Wash Clothes Village who lives in an extended family setting. Living in the countryside is very tranquil, but there are no permanent jobs, so he is a part-time taxi driver, a farmer, a labourer and a fisherman. Gildhari explained that when it is needed, he would often work with people in the community on their farms because he doesn’t have a regular 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs job. Like most locals, they have to do many jobs to make ends meet financially. Gildhari reported that his ailing 68-year-old mother resides in the same house, and together he and his siblings assist in taking care of her. His father, a farmer, passed away 28 years ago, and his mother had a budding small business before she took ill. Bhagmattie Gildhari used to buy and sell grounds provisions, vegetables, clothing, footwear and other items and sold at markets.

an option despite the constant flooding. “Every time the floods come, we have to count our loss and move on, but it is often difficult because we are grasping at straws. We invested heavily on farming, livestock and cattle to make a living and with that gone it is not easy to recover in the near future,” she said.

The residence of Satya Gildhari

The farmer disclosed that life is quiet in Wash Clothes, and she is contented with the modest way of life because they have a lot of space and they enjoy a clean atmosphere. Balkaran said her husband does whatever he can for work. At times he is a labourer working with rice framers to throw paddy in the

Rice farmer, Bachan Dyal

Balkaran explained that they had to renovate after the floods and they also did some construction to build up the concrete surrounding their house to prevent flooding

Satya Gildhari

Home of Jenny Balkaran

Jenny Balkaran (Carl Croker photos)

fields. He also does carpentry and would go and catch fish too. Satya Gildhari Meanwhile, Satya Gild-

She also had a small shop at her residence. Gildhari added that his mother used to go to the various markets to sell and would use the boat and engine they had to go into the creek and sell. She had to quit selling 11 years ago due to ill health, and the shop closed its door four years ago since he could no longer manage it. Gildhari told the Pepperpot Magazine that life in Wash Clothes is often fair, but it entails hard work and doing many jobs.

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He stated that the place is very peaceful and it comprises families, mostly those related by blood, and it is a village where the people are very familiar with each other. Wash Clothes Village is a

place strangers do not exist, and it is a close-knit community of hardworking people, mostly farmers. Bachan Dyal, the rice farmer

Bachan Dyal is a medium to large-scale rice farmer of Wash Clothes Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony, who has been a local of the community for the past 40 years. He is originally from Leguan Island, Essequibo River but left his home village to go to school, and soon, he entered the world of work. It was not long after he got married and relocated to Wash Clothes. The father of two stated that his children assist him on the farms, and life for him is comfortable except for the flooding which is causing difficulties in production. He would often employ about eight villagers when he has a harvest of rice crop. Dyal believes that upgrading the current drainage system is crucial to minimise the effects of flooding in the village due to heavy rainfall.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Wash Clothes Village An oasis for a tranquil country life

By Michel Outridge Being satisfied with a simple country life is comfort-

She is a resident of Wash Clothes, Branch Road, Mahaicony and, for her, the only downside to living in such a

of life in Wash Clothes Village, but at times, they would like to indulge in things like eating fast food to enjoy with

Sherry Ramdial and one of her two children (Carl Croker photos)

Balchan Persaud

ing to housewife Sherry Ramdial, but she is hoping that they see their fair share of development in the community in the form of shopping malls, stores and fast foods outlets.

far-fetched area is the commute to certain places and things which are not easily within reach. The 26-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is used to a quiet, simple way

the children. She stated that, especially on certain holidays, they would have to journey till to Buxton, East Coast Demerara, to buy Church’s Fried Chicken or go to the city,

Home of Balchan Persaud

and at times it is not always possible. The mother of two related that her husband is a taxi driver and they would collectively plant some vegetables for the kitchen to offset the expenses of buying greens. Ramdial added that she is from Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice and relocated to Wash Clothes after marriage, and that village is quite similar to her home village except they don’t access to some places and things. “As a housewife, I would ensure I get up early to prepare meals, and by 07:00hrs, I would be completing the household chores, so I have time to spend with the children and do some gardening,” she said. Ramdial believes that the community needs a playpark for recreational activities for the children since there is nowhere nearby to visit. “Other than that, life is okay, quiet here and we like our space and fresh air,” she said. Ramdial said that with the necessary facilities, the lives of the locals would be significantly enhanced.

She reported that although they have electricity, potable water and internet, they also need some form of recreation because being indoors mostly takes a toll on them sometimes. “It is good to go out at times, but the places are so far away and the condition of the road is not encouraging,” she said. Balchan Persaud, the farmer Also in the same village is the home of Balchan Persaud, a farmer who is still coming to grips with the loss of his livestock. His entire flock of goats perished during the floods, and he barley has a few cows left. With the constant rainfall, he has to seek higher ground to relocate the cows. Persaud told the Pepperpot Magazine that all his layer chickens also perished, along with 100 meat birds. “I simply cannot recover from the loss, and my wife had to go and look for a job which is two days per week just to bring in an income to the home,” he said.

In addition, Persaud has some crops that did not survive and the water only just receded following a recent flood. The 59-year-old reported that his family is struggling as is and is hoping these get better for them. Persaud is the father of four and takes care of his two grandchildren. The Wash Clothes Village resident stated that with the high cost of living, they are trying to put food on the table and everything is pricy in that area. The cost of transportation is also astronomical, and the central hub is at Mahaicony Market where they do their shopping when necessary since the community has no shops. Persaud’s home is located next door to the village Assembly of God Church, a stone throw away from the main access road, Branch Road, Mahaicony. Like most locals, he is holding onto hope that their lives will be improved in time because things seem impossible at the moment.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Farm life after retirement

Leonard Bissoon displaying his pumpkin

By Michel Outridge Having formally exited the world of work as the Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Research Station at Burma Road after 36 years, Leonard Bissoon is spending his retirement as a farmer in his village of Wash Clothes, Branch Road, Mahaicony. The 69-year-old is a farmer of cash crops and livestock, and before the floods, he was rearing the most ducks and chickens. Today, a handful of crops survived and there hasn’t been a good harvest in some time except for pumpkins. The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that he started working at age 19 years old but spent a full 36 years in the rice industry, having retired at age 56 years old. He is a local of Wash Clothes and resides in a house he inherited from his parents, who were farmers. “As country people, we have that determination to survive, and we don’t see farming as a burden but as a leisure to occupy our time and to earn,” he said. As farmers, Bissoon stated that they face many challenges, including the changing weather pattern and flooding. Home of Leonard Bissoon

He joked that he became a farmer as early as when he was in his mother’s womb, because at that stage in life his mother was a farmer alongside his father and they were in the fields every day. Even though his parents have passed on, their legacy lives on, and he is very appreciative of their hard work. Back in the day, he used to cultivate rice, but now he doesn’t, but his neighbour is utilising the lands for rice production. Bissoon related that life in the countryside is not easy but they are trying to stay afloat because as a result of the floods, life has become difficult since they depend heavily on farming to make a living. He had a farm and invested his savings into buying a car which he used to transport his produce, but these days he hardly gets anything to sell. “I went from having so much to nothing. I had limes to give away now. I have to buy five limes for $200,” he

Pumpkins from the farm

Leonard Bissoon (Carlo Croker photos)

said. Before 2005, he explained that the village had no electricity and potable water and the road was dirt. Those days, the only way to get to their home was via the launch, which operated to transport people and goods. An all-weather road was constructed in 2000,

but over time the road has deteriorated and needs upgrading. “Despite all the difficulties, this is home. I cannot relocate because I am accustomed to this place and the way of life. We have a lot of wide open spaces, the houses are scattered, and we have fresh air and a clean atmosphere,” he said. Bissoon pointed out that he has privacy and the villagers are in sync with nature. They promote a green environment and eat fresh grown fruits and vegetables. He reported that it is just himself and his wife, and they enjoy a quiet life as farmers, and they visit the Mortice Mandir. Their three children are grown and reside elsewhere. His sons are engineers, and his daughter is in the accounting field. Bissoon has been a farmer for 12 years. After he retired, he decided to plant and be a stay-at-home elder. He also used to rear hassar in a fish pond he has in front of his yard and at one time, he had 300 hassar rearing. It was a blooming small business before 2016, but today, that fish pond is bare. Bissoon noted that it is hard to invest with no returns due to the frequent floods. They operate at a loss and to investing is a risk and a chance he cannot afford to take. “I am still here because this is my home and I cannot live abroad. Being confined is not for me, but life in Wash Clothes has become difficult due to the flooding. We will withstand whatever but we are weary,” he said. He stated that before 2005 they enjoyed a good harvest, they had a lot of vegetables to sell and the trees were full of fruits too. Nowadays, they have to buy.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Miscarriages and how to process them I WAS asked to write about the possibility of miscarriage as that is very common and brings forward some mental health issues. A miscarriage occurs when the foetus dies typically before the 20th week of pregnancy (five months) but most often occurs within the first three months. They are fairly common, occurring in about 20 percent of pregnant women but this number changes depending on which trimester the miscarriage occurs. However, despite its commonality, many women blame themselves and experience severe physical and emotional difficulty. However, it is important to know that most miscarriages are not due to anything the expectant mother did. The most common causes of miscarriages are gene abnormality, an unusual number of chromosomes that happen randomly, or uterus abnormalities- both occur without prevention or causation. Other possibilities are serious injury or infection or if the expectant mother has any long-term or severe illnesses such as diabetes. The only preventative measures that doctors recommend (but are still not guaranteed to safeguard from a miscarriage) are abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and being underweight during pregnancy. Normal activities such as work, exercise or intercourse do not cause a miscarriage. There are different kinds of miscarriages which can be dangerous if not medically treated. Some expectant mothers may not even know they are miscarrying, but the common side effects are bleeding and stomach pain/ cramping. If you feel either of these in an unusually painful manner, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention immediately. If you have experienced a miscarriage, I’m truly sorry for your pain and trauma, especially if you did not receive the proper help and support afterwards. If you ever experience this occurrence, you are not alone and there are healthy ways to grieve this loss. After a miscarriage, there is no one way or emotion to feel nor a specific length of time to feel them. All women have a variety of mixed emotions such as sadness, anger, disappointment, the envy of other parents, guilt and in some cases, even relief – any emotion you feel is fine. There is a lot of confusion of emotions, especially if the pregnancy was not

planned, and many struggle with conflicting emotions – it’s okay to feel whatever it is you are feeling. Allow yourself to be without guilt or self-judgment. Don’t just allow yourself to feel, allow yourself to express your feelings physically, verbally or emotionally; lean on anyone you need to and trust and share how you feel. Especially with other women who have also experienced miscarriages, you’d be surprised how many they are. Unfortunately, I know women who have been told they should not feel such a sense of loss as they had ever officially met their baby. An earlier loss is not necessarily easier to handle than a later one. The expectant mother was excited. She had made plans. She had fallen in love with not only her future child but their future bond and life together; that absolutely needs and deserves to be grieved. What you should not do to yourself is feel any failure or guilt. If you do, try to rationalise your way out of those feelings. As mentioned, there are many things that may go wrong for which you are not responsible; you did not fail as a mother. Do some research if you are unable to rationalise those negative thoughts to ensure you read and see for yourself. This alone may provide some comfort. Many women also find it beneficial to acknowledge and

commemorate their loss. This means finding a special way to remember the baby, provide closure, and ensure the child will remain a part of your family healthily. This can be done in a variety of ways, and the most helpful one will depend on the individual and what she values most. Below are some common examples of commemoration that have be shown to be helpful; remember that only some will be helpful for you and you can make up your own. - Name your baby- some women find comfort in naming as it adds value to the life lost. It’s easier to speak about as well as to them. - Plant a tree in honour of your baby- others find this comforting as it is something that could be there for generations and a physical place you can go to to find solace. - Buy or make a piece of jewellery with their supposed birthstone. Others find this comforting as a tangible ‘keepsake’ to have with you always. Others found comfort in buying a special teddy bear or knitting a special blanket as many long for something to physically hold when grieving. - Start a charity or organisation in your baby’s name or honour. Many find this beneficial for obvious reasons; out of your grief came light for others and without even being born, your baby made an impact on this world. This does not have to be a grand charity or even a sizable donation. My suggestion would be to start a support group for women who have suffered miscarriages and were not provided with the needed support. This will also help you to bond with others and be reminded that your feelings are justified and felt by many. - Others find comfort in a small funeral or grieving ceremony. A life was lost and you can grieve it appropriately. Of course, if you have the access, seeking mental health treatment such as counselling will always help with situations like these. I hope you find these things helpful if you are experiencing such a loss and will continue to healthily grieve this loss. Thank you for reading and please continue to send suggested topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

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ANGELS WALK ON EARTH IV

AMBER was passing her exams with ease and Anil not knowing her before that life-changing day saw a glimpse of a brilliant young woman. She could have today been studying for her bachelor degree at the University of Guyana had life not deviated her down a different path. Young and infatuated by what she had thought was love but the fresh roses in her mind wilted when he walked away, the petals dropping as her heart ached. “Dear Lord,” she had prayed in tears, “A life for me is precious but because of my belief, I’ve been left alone. Please help me find a way through this.” And without a doubt she felt her prayers had been answered as she looked at Anil reading through her exam results. “You’re remarkable,” he told her. She smiled relieved that one step at a time, she was finding her way to greater comforts, a better life but she was still carrying a few burdens and he saw that flicker of regret in her eyes again. “What’s wrong?” She sighed deeply and said, “I disappointed my parents who had high expectations of me.” “Well, it’s not too late,” he encouraged her, “You have a second chance in life to show your worth.” “Do you think they will forgive me?” “I’m sure they will,” he assured her. “And Annalisa? Would they accept her when she wasn’t supposed to even be in my picture now?” “Your belief dat life created by God is precious brought her into yuh picture.” “And I pulled you into it too.” “Well,” he said looking at her with a soft intensity, “I have no regrets over dat.” And as his eyes held hers for that brief moment, he saw more than appreciation and gratitude. He saw a soft and gentle look, then she looked away. He knew she was still fighting inner battles, all not yet won. And when she got up and walked to the window, looking out into the night, he asked quietly, “Should I leave?” She shook her head slightly but did not turn around and walking to where she was standing, he put his arms gently around her waist and said, “You’ll be fine.” He could feel her body heaving as she inhaled deeply and turning around she said, “I’m so-sorry--,” but he put a finger to her lips saying in a low tone, “Don’t say anything, jus relax.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and standing there

in his arms, the tension within her dissipated, letting that moment be hers. Amber lay in bed that night, sleepless for a long time, her senses still enthralled by his invigorating masculine scent. A new and unique feeling had been rising in her heart but the fear to love again still held her mind in a vice and she questioned silently, “What do I do to be free?” Anil stood by his new car, a new-model Axela that had been shipped in that morning, feeling accomplished for it was something he had worked hard to achieve. But deep in his thoughts was something more incredible, that moment when he had held her in his arms, her warm touch and subtle sweet scent. He decided at that moment to take their relationship to a more open and higher level that could possibly free her of her burdens. On Saturday he invited her out for dinner and she accepted after Grandma said she would be able to take care of Annalisa. He picked her up at 7 o’clock so she could

be back home early because of the baby, and as she came out to meet him, he looked at her stunned. She looked exquisite in a short, simple off-shoulder blue dress, her curly hair falling to her shoulders and light makeup that highlighted her natural ebony beauty. That new outlook took his breath away and he said, taking her hand, “I love this.” As they left, she noticed the car was a new vehicle and asked, “New ride?” “Yeah, got dis a few days ago and driving it now for the first time.” “Impressive,” she responded and added after a short moment, “I’m happy for you, you do work hard.” “Thanks, I have been working since a young boy and set goals along de way to reach.” “And you’re doing great, along with your selfless nature.” He looked at her and smiled, because it was through that selflessness he had met her. No more need for words. Dinner was at the Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant at No. 2 Village, an attractive place with a fusion of colourful lights, smooth flowing fountain and exotic plants that add elegance to the ambience of the outdoor setting. “It’s a beautiful place,” Amber exuded, “I love it.” Dinner was wonderful with a touch of intimacy as they shared a beautiful close connection, but still with a hurdle to cross. At home she thanked him for a wonderful evening, said ‘Good night’ and turned to go but paused uncertainly and turned back. “I –umm, I..” she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words and in her eyes he could see that soft, gentle glow of love shadowed by a flicker of helplessness. That was when he kissed her, a soft, lingering kiss. Her hands had clutched his shirt then slowly loosened to embrace him as he held her closer. A long moment after when she looked at him, there was nothing to disguise that precious look of love in her eyes for the hurdle had been thrown down. Fate had brought them together in a most unexpected way and the overwhelming joy and relief of falling in love was an answer to her prayers. But along the way, there would be new hurdles to cross as they bring family into the picture but nothing would come between that blessed love because fate had already framed them in a portrait since they were two strangers and an unborn baby now, two young people in love and an adorable baby.

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TIKTOK AND SELF-DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL ILLNESS

WE all are familiar with using google search to self-diagnose ourselves and jumping to conclusions that we have serious health issues. Recently, there has been a risky trend among the teens and young adult users of TikTok in self-diagnosing themselves with mental illness. With improved technology and increased availability of information, mental health awareness has grown. However, there is also the troubling phenomenon of youths diagnosing themselves with mental health issues ranging from depression, ADHD, and Bipolar disorder personality disorder, to anxiety. As much as these social media platforms are creating an opportunity to have important conversations about mental health, enabling the youth to learn about mental health illnesses and get support, they are also exposed to inaccurate, non-science-backed information. That becomes problematic when not all posts are made by mental health experts. Self-diagnosing is diagnosing oneself with an illness or disease condition based on the information acquired independently. Self-diagnosis can make individuals label themselves and often lead to awful feelings about themselves, aggravating the situation that they are in.

Why do people self-diagnose? Social media is the first line of information, especially for millennials and Generation Z individuals. The lack of sufficient mental health education and discussion at home and school make the information they receive on social media extremely valuable. Self-diagnosing can also be motivated by other factors such as inadequate mental health resources and financial issues where the individuals cannot afford the cost of mental health care, especially students. The stigma that concerns mental health is the more important factor why individuals

disorder. Many individuals might experience symptoms related to various mental health disorders such as depression and bipolar disorders, but it might not necessarily mean it meets the diagnostic criteria for those conditions. Though self-diagnosis might help the individual to a certain extent to gather information on how to deal with the psychological discomfort, believing that you have a mental health disorder creates panic, anxiety, stress, and even lead to suicidal thoughts. More so, they can overlook the real symptoms that they are experiencing. Another danger of self-diagnosis is missing out on an existing medical condition such as thyroid problems that can mimic the symptoms of mental health conditions.

self-diagnose and do not seek professional help. Lack of trust in health care professionals, unawareness on where to reach out for help, parental and cultural beliefs on mental health care, believing that their issues are not serious are some of the reasons why youths don’t access mental health support and end up self-diagnosing. Self-diagnosis can also come from the teenage urge to rebel and find common ground among the peer group. According to an article in a British medical journal, the youths report gaining peer support, recognition, and a sense of belonging with this exposure to content on TikTok. This, in turn, may inadvertently reinforce and maintain the symptoms experienced. What are the risks of self-diagnosing? Making a diagnosis of mental health condition is a complex process that requires subtle distinctions. There is a huge difference between experiencing symptoms and having a

Tips to follow: Be careful where and from whom you seek advice. Check the credentials of the person you are looking for and if he/she has the needed expertise in the field. You might get peer support, recognition, and useful information on handling any psychological discomfort but remember, TikTok or social media is not therapy. If you are really questioning your mental health, it’s important that you seek professional help. Watch for signs of overuse of social media and when it starts to affect your day-to-day functioning. Taking a digital time out regularly can help avoid going down the rabbit hole of constant worries and self-diagnosing. Thank you for reading! You can always reach out to me (Anju Vivekanandaraj, MSN., MSc(Clinical Psy), Registered Clinical Psychologist) for professional mental health diagnosis and help at (+592) 613 9255. Kindly send in your feedback and questions at innerpeacegy@gmail.com

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The age of the short fuse

WE can’t pretend that it isn’t real; that we aren’t in the age of the short fuse, much like the quick shake of ‘St. Vitus’ Dance’, the fabled medical condition, Sydenham’s chorea, that is largely responsible for the involuntary quivering of the body among its many other manifestations. Except that in this case, the term is loosely used to define the instant hostile response to any illogical assertion or perceived act of transgression, be it in the home or the public domain. For example, just recently, a citizen entered a minibus en route to the hospital. The bus was packed, but as it began to travel, another person from the extreme rear seat leaned over and told him, “Move your shoulder from the window, so I can get some breeze.” It was an unusual request, because the citizen is some 6’ 2” in height, and the bus seat is often uncomfortable for taller and bigger-by-mass persons. Still, the discomfort is endured, because it makes practical sense. Unfortunately, the request was met with hostility, because it was interpreted as being unreasonable. An argument that included others directed against the citizen occurred along opposing gender lines. In retrospect, the request should have

This line privilege, though irritable, is not seriously contentious; it is a “Guyana t’ing”. However, the reality of contentions that result in serious altercations is now commanding a special place in our social reality, especially at the family or believed-to-be friend level. How we were groomed from childhood, as well as the dictates of economic, societal changes with difficulty to comply with, bears on how we respond to things in the course of our day. The moods we portray on the surface are many times rooted in the internal self-reasoning on the conflicts of self-progress and the active confrontations with bills, family or the entitled attitude of diverse strangers that we will engage or be engaged by.

been ignored, because it was not realistic to comply with, but in ignoring it, would the issue have been solved? What cannot be ignored is what is occurring daily: A sudden action, most times vocal, directed from another’s interest without examining how practical it is, results in, most times, a mini outburst. A case in point is standing in the bank for over an hour, then, as the line edges towards your turn, two people step before you, as if from nowhere, claiming that they were there before you, and the one person ahead affirms that they were.

bully encompassed two facts: That (a), the bully cannot be reasoned with, and (b) he or she has to be physically and mentally defied. But then, the bully is not always a physical manifestation; it is also based on the subtleties of irrationally imposed entitlement. But a third fact should have been added: Resist, but never become the bully. The foregoing piece of advice, deemed so necessary at that crucial moment in a child’s life, can well become a limited interpretation within one’s individual cultural being, if not expanded through discussions that avoid collective stereotypes,

ATTITUDINAL GOBLINS One of the “attitudinal goblins” we carry around may very well be based on the advice we got at eight or nine years old. For example, I was told, “If a bully try fuh tek yuh thing, is best fuh fight he every time; if yuh don’t, yuh gon be everybody eye-pass all yuh life.” The strong lesson with the school

but deal with individual social situations that can rationalise why the bully exists, and exists at different levels. For, as we grow older, the issues that constitute the whole diverse character of the bully slowly become obvious and better understood. But it does not change the fact that the bully will remain a reality of defiance and conflict, in the absence of friendly exchange and respectful agreement. Recently, a relative confided in me about a situation where someone we know was subject to depression, then was thought to be possessed (Yes, by spirits!) because the individual started to tell him that they were hearing voices telling him to do very strange things. Turns out that the anti-depressant tablets that some friend advised him to take were not prescribed, but bought from a ‘shady’ drugstore. After doing a bit of research, I told him that my son was always in trouble because of the advice he obtained via the Internet and his friends. My son has an addiction problem; his main problem is not admitting that he does not know when to stop talking, or being driven by his ego, and complying with expert advice, and that most of his friends similarly also feel that their ego would lose points to

say, “Bro, I ain’t know nothing about dem things,” while others will callously sell poison to whoever they could convince. The “magic” of tablets has transcended the simple age of Whizz and Phensic, supposedly all-purpose tablets that were popular in my childhood days. And it seems that, invariably, some tablets are designed to impact severe consequences on users. Which brings us to the question: Is the age of the “Short Fuse” also driven by mental conditions, and so-called medications?

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Celebrating Emancipation with African Royalty

I enjoyed my Emancipation celebration immensely this year. I usually go to the National Park, but I did a bit more this year, including interacting with the African Royal delegation who came to Guyana to celebrate Emancipation with us.

It was an honour to witness the coronation of my friend Eric Phillips as the Chief under Her Royal Majesty, Queen Cynthia Khamulo- Mzilikazi III at the Royal Dinner at Ramada Princess Hotel. His new name is Siphosezulu, meaning “gift from heaven”. The new Chief was also instrumental in making this visit a reality. I am so proud of Dr Hilary Brown, who is now Queen Asianut Acom II - Asianut means “Spirit of Kindness” and Acom means “Gentle Wisdom”. She was always a queen but now has the official title. The visiting delegation included: HRH Queen Ameenata Asaleh II, the Queen of Fulbe in

Ashanti Ghana (Sarauniya) and an Enstooled Queen in the Embo Kingdom. Her passion is to help the African continent develop modern farming, especially cattle ranching. She is also a strong advocate of human/women’s rights, girl-child education, equality, and equity in traditionally closed spaces. In her capacity as the Chairwoman of the Diaspora African Kingdoms Alliance (DAKA), for which she is also a Co-Founder, she leads the organisation in its mission to foster unity, cooperation, and self-determination among Continental and Diaspora African People. DAKA aims to be the voice of African Royalty in the Diaspora. HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot, Emorimor Iteso is the King of the Iteso Nation of East Africa. His Kingdom covers Uganda, Eastern Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. He is the head of the 1,556 Tribes with a population of 17 million Ateker people across the world who look upon him as their spiritual father. HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot served as the Prime Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) before he took over as the Chairman of the Tribal Council. He has also served as the Prime minister of ICU. HRH Papa Paul Sande Emolot also served as the Trade and Communication Minister under Papa Emorimor Osuban. In his capacity as Chairman, he represents the interests of Ateker at home and in the Diaspora. He is a former Mayor of Tororo Town. Her Royal Highness Princess Lindiwe Precious Nthibogelang was the youngest in the delegation and impressive. I listened to her share a few times, and she is a bright young lady. She is the daughter of the beautiful Queen Cyntia Puna Khumalo Mzilikazi III. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Analysis and Management and a BSc in Environmental Sciences. This intentional young lady has achieved a lot for her age. She is a former Model United Nations Debate team member to represent South Africa in New York (2004), a

former panel member for the launch of the UNICEF: SOWC 2004, a former mentor for first-year students at the University of Pretoria, and Secretary and Founding Director for the Eagles Basketball Institute (EBI), a non-profit company for the development of the Youth through sport. These are just a few of her accomplishments. Her Royal Highness Princess Tshepi Motloung. HRH

Princess Tshepi is the Managing Director of Naledi Ya Tshepi (Pty) Ltd - offering tailor-made business solutions. Driven by the passion for socio-economic development of marginalised communities, she founded FutureLift Foundation to focus on Community Development in both Rural and peri Urban.Philanthropy Chairperson Breakthrough Centre for Orphaned and Vulnerable. She is Vice President of the SADC AIDO Network International Focuses on the Development of Cultural Heritage. AIDO has its presence in Cameroon, Ghana, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, Togo,UK, USA, and SA and focuses on the development of Cultural Heritage. AIDO has its presence in Cameroon, Ghana, Germany, Uganda, Kenya, Togo, UK, the, USA and South Africa. Interim Chief Executive Officer, Queen Manthatisi Culture & Heritage. It aims to Research, Document, and Preserve the Batlokoa Nation’s Culture and Heritage. It was an absolute honour to have met them. The credentials are so many it would take a few of my columns to cover all. I also attended the Emancipation Dinner at State House and the celebration in the National Park. I had many profound thoughts during this season and thought about meaningful quotes great men like Nelson Mandela shared like “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Let’s ponder on these words as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Who are “climate criminals?”

CERTAIN parts of the United States, Canada and even the United Kingdom were faced with an increase in heat during the past month. These countries, and even our very own Guyana, have been devastatingly hot and uncomfortable. Experts argue that this is just another tragic result of climate change. As we emit more and more greenhouse gases across the globe, our climate conditions will worsen. The world is now warming faster compared to other periods in history. Sadly, our species made that happen, and we will continue to allow it to happen. Amidst the heatwaves and sweaty days, “Climate criminal” is a phrase that recently caught my attention online. More so, its usage is linked to popular beauty mogul Kylie Jenner. Jenner is currently one of the most famous influencers and entrepreneurs in the United States. Lots of backlash came when people started to post about her frequent usage of her private jet and the insane short periods of her flights. One flight of hers was just three minutes long—a 40-minute drive to her destination. Jenner was accused of being a “climate criminal” because of this. As sad as this may sound, Jenner continues to use her private jets and even posted a picture of her jet alongside her boyfriend’s as well. It was taunting and quite distasteful. The average carbon footprint is 4-16 tons per person. While Kylie Jenner’s carbon footprint isn’t even in the top 10 of high-ranking Co2 emissions, it’s still relatively high. There are several celebrities who use private jets to get to their destinations more quickly and safely. In fact, Taylor Swift emits 1184 tons more carbon footprint than the average hu-

man being. Ironically, many of these celebrities themselves are climate change advocates and activists. It only leaves you wondering if using your biodegradable food boxes or recycling your clothes are even worth it. In your eyes, you can probably live an

only home. I am hopeful that with time (given that it’s not too late), many of our international climate laws will be enforced more strictly to ensure that “climate criminals” are brought to Justice. I sure hope so. In the meantime, just be sure to keep on advocating for a

entirely green lifestyle and it still won’t be enough in your eyes to combat the Kylie Jenners of the world. While this may be true on a narrow lens, I want to encourage you to always think of the bigger picture regarding climate change. Yes, the average person is constantly being told to reduce his/her/their carbon footprint, while there are the privileged ones who still get to do as they please when they please. This list doesn’t only include celebrities but corporate giants and business intentions as well. It’s as if they have a free pass for committing one of the most heinous crimes there is—the killing of our one and

cleaner and greener environment. Be sure to be mindful of your carbon footprint and the active decisions you make that surround your usage of fossil fuels. I am still one of those persons who believes in doing the right thing—even if it means standing alone. In this case, I hope you all also encourage those around you to pick up similar habits and traits. Let’s continue to use our bamboo straws, let’s continue to walk or ride instead of calling a taxi, and let’s continue to recycle and reuse—even when it all seems so insignificant, I promise you that it holistically isn’t.

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Negative unforeseen ramifications of operation of Local Content Legislation should be quickly addressed WHEN oil was discovered in commercial quantities in Guyana some six years ago, the government authorities at the time were very inexperienced regarding the workings and milieu of this new industry. This inexperience resulted in the signing of inequitable contracts with the oil companies. The successor governmental authorities had become more experienced and knowledgeable, but they could not upset the inequitable agreements already made. All they could try to do was modify the contracts, especially in the areas of environment, and whenever it is possible to have new contracts, as, for example,in new blocks, common world standards would be achieved. Areas which had been bypassed or ignored should now be legislated. One such area was to compel the oil companies to have “local content” in their operations. Oil companies prefer to employ foreigners and source all their supplies from abroad and would like to operate like an extraterritorial entity. For example, in the early days, they imported drinking water despite DDL and Banks DIH producing world-class drinking water, which was even exported to developed countries. Hiatuses such as these have been closed by the Local Content legislation and the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat. Local Content legislation was not only necessary because it allowed locals to share in the prosperity oil engendered, but it controlled reckless spending, which would ultimately diminish Guyana’s revenues. The Local Content regime established quotas for the various goods and services used by the companies as against local suppliers. For example, oil machinery that Guyana does not produce or import, oil companies could import 100%. Companies are not permitted to buy or build housing accomodation but must rent and this turns out to be 100 percent supplied by locals. And various percentages are allocated to various goods and services. The Local Content regime is meant to be elastic and to change to meet circumstances, and the private sector must take advantage of this characteristic. When the 100 percent rental rule was first adumbrated, it was universally welcomed and applauded. Since then, however, persons involved in the realty and rental business have brought to our attention some unforeseen consequences. They have pointed out that oil companies tend to rent residential accommodation in certain areas at relatively high rentals, and when they come into an area, all rentals, even for modest accommodation that once used to be rented at rates within reach of middle-class people, have now become burdensome. This awkward market tendency has also affected persons involved in the realty and rental business and is moving certain areas into becoming exclusive, thus working against the integration of Guyanese society, which mainstream social and political opinion are striving to achieve. There is also a widespread rumour that one of the oil companies has embarked upon a large building programme which could be used for housing accommodation and not merely for office space. The Local Content Secretariat needs to ascertain that there is no infringement of the Law relating to Local Content. The problem posed should be addressed immediately since such problems become intractable with the effluxion of time. It may be constructive in addressing the issue if the Secretariat opens a dialogue with the realty and rentier professions.

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Enduring the test ... FROM PAGE VI land. As such, there is a need for both the right bank and the left bank to have canals to drain the land. The community has seen heavy rainfall more than normal in recent times, and it is a cause for concern among locals, whose lives revolve around farming. Persaud added that they are trying to cope with the rainy conditions because it is difficult to keep the cows safe.

Brian Persaud preparing the horse for the journey

Meanwhile, her husband, Rishi Persaud, a rice and cattle farmer who has spent all this life in Esau and Jacob Village told the Pepperpot Magazine that when it is flooded they have to tend to the cows day and night, moving them to higher ground. He explained that they would cut rice in March; these days they were only able to re-plant in May this year and they will have their harvest in July. “If this kind of flooding continues, in a few years’ time, this place will be left empty because a lot of people suffered great losses and packed up and left. Some migrated,” he said. In Esau and Jacob Village, there are 33 residents with about 20 families, and most of the young women have left the village due to marriage. Brian Persaud Brian Persaud is one of Rishi and Nyoka’s sons. He is 14 years old, and that day he was preparing a horse to go into the backlands to tend to the cows. Part of his daily chores includes taking care of their six horses, of which only two are used for going to the backdam. The young man would have to make the ride on horseback for five miles to get to the cows and on weekends, he would assist in farming. He is a student of Bygeval Secondary School. Brian was accompanied that day, as usual, by an employee, and when they harvest rice, they would usually provide employment for 10 persons in the village. The Persauds are currently undergoing repairs and construction of their house after the last flooding.

Brian Persaud on horseback

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Another year to push for reparations AS another day of celebrating Emancipation passes by, it is easy to forget the calls for reparations and why they become all the more relevant with each passing day. It has been months since I last heard about the Caribbean’s calls for reparations. The last time I heard much about reparations was during the Caribbean tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William, and Kate. Strangely, there weren’t too many talks on reparations this year. But what really caught my attention and directed my focus back to the conversations on reparations was an image of a British diplomat dressed in a traditional African print. Upon seeing this image, all I could think of was Britain’s role in the horrible, inhumane system of enslavement and how, to this day, British officials and authorities are unable to make meaningful amends. British officials have expressed their regret and sorrow at the events that transpired. But, they usually stop short of

offering apologies- as has been demanded by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for example. To date, Britain has not solidly committed to reparations, and it is for this reason that the photograph I referenced earlier was so striking for me. So, where are we now? Contextually, let me explain that reparations or reparatory justice relate to the action of making amends for a wrong done by providing payment or other assistance to those who have been wronged. There has been the argument that enslavement happened centuries ago and that people should simply move on. In my opinion, that argument is both disingenuous and ignorant because it detracts from the lasting impact of enslavement experienced today- be it entrenched health issues or systemic underdevelopment from centuries of exploitation. It does not cater to the psychological trauma people of African descent grapple with, nor does it assess how enslavement contributed

to the debt-ridden feature of Caribbean societies. Importantly, too, enslavement was a long period of treating Africans as though they were less than humans and not deserving human beings. As such, we see systems of white supremacy and black prejudice plaguing our societies today. There has also been the argument that one of the more tangible aspects of reparations- providing money- is not necessarily appropriate. Instead, some officials argue that the funds should be channelled into developmental initiatives meant to have a transformative impact on countries. But as I understand it, reparations are needed to correct (or at least help mitigate) the historical wrongs of enslavement. Caribbean enslavement lasted for hundreds of years, involving a system of forcibly bringing enslaved Africans from West Africa to the Caribbean- Guyana included- and forcing them to toil on the plantations. While SEE PAGE XXIII European nations profited, these

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THE MANAGEMENT OF MINING IN GUYANA Hello readers,

THE beginning of August in Guyana signals the start of Mining Week activities – a series of events coordinated by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. In this article, we will be telling you about the EPA’s role in managing the mining sector. According to the Ministry of Finance’s Budget 2021 report, the mining and quarrying sector’s contribution to GDP was 8.4 percent in 2020. Known as “El Dorado” for its gold, Guyana also exports bauxite and diamonds. Guyana’s mineral heritage includes deposits

of semi-precious stones, kaolin, silica sand, soapstone, kyanite, feldspar, mica, ilmenite, laterite, manganese radioactive minerals, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and nickel, among others. The mining sector accounts for a significant amount of the country’s GDP, but mining has a devastating effect on the environment. However, concerned agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), continuously work together to alleviate the effects. The mining industry in Guyana is principally governed by the Mining Act No. 20 of 1989 (the Mining Act), enacted in 1991. The implementation of the Mining Act is supported by Mining Regulations (1979), which outline provisions related to the prospecting for and mining of metals, minerals and precious stones and the regulation of their transport. Mining in Guyana is managed by the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) under the Mining Act of 1989, and is responsible for the development and implementation of all regulations related to mining in Guyana. The Mining Act has been amended several times since its enactment, with the most recent amendment occurring in 2005. The Environmental Protection Act assesses and regulates the impact of economic developmental activities on the environment and promotes the sustainable use of natural resources. Types of mining operations authorised by the EPA: * Sand/loam mining; * Stone quarries; * Medium and large-scale gold mining operations (surface and underground); * Bauxite mines; * Manganese; and * Other (precious minerals). The Agency manages the mining sector through: * The Authorisation process; * Compliance checks; * Investigation of complaints; and * Sensitisation of miners.

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THE MANAGEMENT OF MINING IN...

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In addition to the work of the Mining, Communications, and Complaints Programme Areas, the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Department of the EPA oversees Guyana’s obligations to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and projects related to mining including Strengthening the enabling Framework for Biodiversity Mainstreaming and Mercury Reduction in small scale gold mining (MBIM phase II) and Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Economic Sectors Project (BIODEV 2030). You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Another year to push .... FROM PAGE XX

enslaved Africans worked on the plantations and suffered extremely harsh and inhuman treatment. For me, it is all the more essential to think about reparations now- and advocate for the same- because Guyana and other Caribbean countries are undergoing a period of development and diversification, partially prompted by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. That global event has shown how countries’ dependence on one sector (tourism, in particular) is detrimental, placing them in a significantly vulnerable position. It has also spotlighted the need for these developing countries to work together more as part of efforts to wean themselves off of the dependency on foreign countries. With these efforts, it isn’t difficult to imagine how reparations could potentially propel the development of people in the region- particularly Afro-Caribbean people. The horrible exploitative system gained billions of dollars, allowing Britain and other European nations to benefit. It seems only logical that descendants of the people who toiled for those developments get what has been rightfully owed to them. If you would like to connect with me to discuss this column or any of my previous works, feel free to email me at vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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Stroke survivors support... act,” he said. He’s found that in many cases, referrals are not being made from the hospital to the Neuro-clinic at the Palms. “The patient is discharged and sent home; they don’t know what else to do. So we have been advocating that when persons get discharged; once they have a neurological condition, make a referral, and we will take it from there. We will determine whether the person can benefit from physiotherapy, because there are many cases when patients come 10 years after a stroke, and we can do little to help them,” Elton said. To access the service, **patients need to be referred to the clinic by their doctor. The team at the Palms works by appointment, so the patient can call 225 4711 to obtain a date when they can go for an assessment to be done. “The doctor has to do the referral to the Palms Rehabilitation Department, and a family member can bring in the referral, and we can make a date when we can see that patient. We do an assessment to determine which level they’re at, and then move to treatment,” Elton explained. FROM PAGE III

‘DISABILITY IS DISABILITY’ Raymond Bovell, Acting Secretary, recalled how the group was disintegrated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some members, though, made it a point to continue meeting for their exercises. “We used to exercise at Cuffy, but that place is rotting, so Head of the Rehab Department Barbara Lawrence suggested we come here, and the members agreed,” Bovell said. The new location provides many benefits: It’s safe, shaded, and very close to the Department, which means that they can have better access to physiotherapists. “We are now getting things back together after ‘COVID’. We have a lot of plans for the group, but we have to take one step at a time. The assistance from Ms. Lawrence is valuable,” Bovell added. Michael Edghilo is acting as president of the group. “I would like to see this group progress; that’s an ambition of mine,” he shared. Thula Lee, a member who got a stroke back in 2014 due to high blood pressure, enjoys being a member of the group, because she said it takes off a lot of stress when she is able to meet and interact with others. In order to benefit from the exercises, though, she has to travel from the Soesdyke Highway to make it for 9am. “It’s for my health and benefit, and that’s why I make the sacrifice,” Thula said. Even as she receives $14,000 in public assistance, finding the money for transportation, medication, and other needs becomes overwhelming at times. Norma Headley, who is 80 years old, feels the same way, and expressed hope that the disability grant would be extended to her and other stroke patients. “If you’re getting old age pension, they are not giving you the disability grant. But that’s a separate thing. Disability is disability; old age is old age. I have a stroke for the past 11 years. You have certain needs when you have a disability. It’s hard to find money for all these things,” Ms. Headley said.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY EVERY great an proportion as he is d original writer, in great and original, must himself create the taste by which he is to be relished. WILLIAM WOR 1850) Letter to La DSWORTH (1770dy Beaumont, 21 M ay 1807

August 7, 2022 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome dear friend. Study success comes when you utilise approaches that suit your style of learning.

Be proactive, e.g., speak aloud to yourself; do much discussion, note making and sketching. Look over all topics including those which are particularly useful and urgent to get into. Break down topics into smaller more handy parcels, thus setting yourself realistic targets and more chances in reaching your goal. Know that work success increases both your self-confidence and work rate. Be wise. Love you. IMPROVING WRITING The Paragraph – a reminder In compositions the power of paragraph writing cannot be overrated. The paragraph keeps your effort stable and steadily moving forward. It also helps your reader to make sense of all the information being unfolded. Definition: A paragraph is a group of sentences that you, the writer, make work as a team. In the section below, indicate, by number, the sentence or sentences that do not give information that fits the flow of ideas expressed in the rest of the selection. In other words, which sentences do not contribute to the teamwork of the paragraph? (1) Ceylon is an island of great natural wealth. (2) Coconut palms and rice thrive in the warmth of the coastal plains. (3) The island has a 725-mile coastline. (4) In the hills, large plantations yield an abundance of rubber. (5) Tea grows in profusion on the mountain slopes of the interior. (6) Other agricultural products of the island include quinine, cacao, coffee, cinnamon, and citronella. (7) Quinine, a medicine used mostly in treating malaria, is made from the bark of the cinchona tree. More information: In a paragraph, the sentences fit together in ways that follow: (1) simply by telling about the same subject; (2) by relating a single sequence of events; (3) by explaining part of the same process, step by step; (4) by supplying the de-

tails necessary to prove the truth of a general statement; Explain in which of the FOUR methods just described is each of the following four paragraphs developed. First paragraph: Looking through my field glasses, I spotted a wild dog on a nearby mountain side. The animal looked almost like a kind of husky dog that people keep as pets except for his hair of wildness. As the wild dog lopped closer, I put down the glasses and raised my rifle. I sighted carefully. The wolf was almost within a hundred yards when I fired. That’s when my alarm clock woke me. Second paragraph: Here’s a trick that I learned. You can lift a piece of ice with a piece of string without tying any knots. First wet the end of the string thoroughly and lay it on the ice. Then sprinkle some salt on the ice and string. Wait ten seconds before lifting the string. The ice will be frozen to the string. Third paragraph: But I saw that everything within my view which ought to be white had lost its luster, and was faded and yellow. I saw the bride within the bridal dress had withered like the dress, and like the flowers, and had no brightness left but the brightness of her sunken eyes. I saw that the dress had been put upon the rounded figure of a young woman, and that the figure upon which it now hung loose had shrunk to skin and bone. Fourth paragraph: The tortoise and the hare argued about who was swifter, and they agreed to run a race. The hare sprinted out well ahead of the tortoise. Seeing how slow his adversary was, the hare became so confident that he relaxed and even lay down for a nap by the roadside. Meanwhile, the tortoise plodded on without stopping, passed the hare asleep on the road, and got to the finish line first.

THE EXTRACT Abruptly he fell to searching for the words as she wanted to hear. “She has a graceful neck, auburn hair, sober eyes. She’s clean articulate, though shy ... ” He looked sideways at her. “I think you’ll like her.” “Whether I like her or not is unimportant.” “She will produce healthy children,” he added,” – something that your three offspring have thus far been unable to do.” She continued to frown at him. Then apparently as weary of the encounter as he was, she concluded. “Then you wish me to speak to banns with the Powelses?” “Why not?” he replied hurriedly, “I rather thought that was the point of all this.” Of course she had yet to know Harriet. All of his encounters with the young woman in the past had been at cotillions at country house parties, and then a fortnight which he’d spent in at Hadley Park in Shrewsbury. Now thinking on the shy, timid, rather stern-looking girl, he doubted seriously if there was a single impulse in her entire personality which would in all honesty be called passionate. Something to Do Respond to the following questions for a better understanding of the extract. 1) Why do you think the speaker is taking time to present a picture of interest to his mother? “She has a graceful neck, auburn hair, sober eyes. She’s clean articulate, though shy ... ” 2) Pretend that you are the male character in the extract. Write a personal account of how you view the encounter. 3) Give the tone of voice the mother used as she participated in the dialogue. 4) Write a description of the girl the gentleman was proposing to bring into his family. 5) Has any similar occurrence ever happened in your extended family? Write about it for a study partner. 6) What is your understanding of that aspect of culture from which the family came.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 7, 2022

Sore throat

A SORE throat is quite common these days due to the occurrence of COVID-19. There is even a new term, “COVID flu” which refers to a flu-like condition but which many do not take seriously, I believe due to the fact that fully vaccinated individuals do not generally suffer debilitatingly. Notwithstanding, at some time in our lives, we will all suffer from a sore throat. But while this seems normal, the cause and evolution of the disease may vary quite a lot. Included in respiratory system disorders, the acute or chronic condition arises from causes such as infection, allergies, tumours and drug reactions. Sore throat is usually a prominent symptom of a wide variety of diseases among which are rheumatic, scarlet, COVID-19 and relapsing fevers (the latter is spread by a tick). Others include polio, tetanus, tonsillitis and vitamin B deficiency. What we commonly call the throat is really the oropharynx, which is visible at the back of the mouth, situated below the nasopharynx and above the larynx (voice box). Tonsils are spongy tissues at the back of the throat, composed mainly of lymphatic cells. There are three types. The palatine tonsils, usually referred to as the ‘tonsils’, are visible between the arches that extend from the uvula (bell-shaped structure at the centre of the opening), to the floor of the mouth. Then there are the pharyngeal tonsils, often called the adenoids. These lie at the back of the throat. They generally shrink as a child grows but may have to be surgically removed if they become enlarged and inflamed. The lingual tonsils are on the upper surface of each side of the back of the tongue. The tonsils protect the pharynx (common entrance of the gullet, nose and windpipe) and the rest of the body from infectious organisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses). Infection of the tonsils, called tonsillitis, maybe a source of infection elsewhere in the body. The tonsils form lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that produce antibodies to combat harmful organisms trapped in the mucous membrane lining in the throat. In fact, the lymphocytic tissue circumscribing the throat actually represents the first line of defence against invading pathogens. Let’s look at how the tonsils relate to the dreaded disease AIDS. In reality, HIV is too frail to kill anyone. Most people who die from AIDS generally succumb as a result of either pneumocytic carini pneumonia or cancer. These situations develop because there is the depletion of special white blood cells known as Tee Four Lymphocytes, which are responsible for providing immunity against aggressive germs. The AIDS virus (which seemingly is on the back burner, thanks to COVID-19), may also invade and kill the Tee Four Lymphocytes leaving the body vulnerable. These protective cells are manufactured in the tonsils, bone marrow and spleen. A sore throat not responding to conventional treatment may be gonorrhoea of the oropharynx contracted from oral sex. Also occurring sometimes is diphtheria, which begins gradually with fever, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck. A thick white membrane forms on the tonsils and may obstruct breathing to necessitate the surgical opening of the windpipe. Heart muscle and nerves may be affected, causing heart failure, paralysis and sometimes death. The throat communicates with the middle ear, located behind the eardrums, by means of a passage called the Eustachian tube. This is why the pain of the ear infection is occasionally experienced when the victim has a cold. With a sore throat, the typical complaint is a raw, dry, burning sensation and pain on swallowing all cool substances, such as ice cream. If the infection spreads downwards to the larynx, hoarseness and temporary loss of voice may ensue. Treatment for sore throat usually consists of adequate doses of penicillin, aspirin, rest and warm saline gargles.

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