Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 07-09-2025

Bornandraised inthecommunity ofSt.Cuthbert’s Mission,Miss Reg4Amerindian HeritageQueen 2024-2026 O’statiaSimon isgivingbackto hercommunity andsaysshe willcontinueher effortsofcultural conservationand sustainabilitywith orwithoutthe crown(Abel.H. Studiophoto)

MiniclaybrickfactoryinAishalton,SouthRupununi,is empoweringlocalstoearnviaLCDSfunding

ByMichelOutridge

THROUGHtheLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy (LCDS)funding,Aishalton Village,SouthRupununi, RegionNine(UpperTakutu-UpperEssequibo)has anoperationalminibrick factory.

Theoperationcanproducethousandsofclaybricks perday.Thecurrentsizeof bricksisfiveinchesby11 inches,withdifferentsizesto bemadeavailablesoon.

AnthonyFrancis,50,a nativeofthecommunity, toldthePepperpotMagazine thathefeelsempoweredto haveasteadyjobproducing miniclaybrickblocks,which costbetween$50to$60per block.

Hesaidtheinitiativeto

provideemploymentforvillagersbeganthreemonths agowiththeAishaltonVillageCouncil,whichcurrently employsfourlocalsatthe miniclaybrickfactory.

Francisaddedthatbefore theinitiativematerialised,he wasagoldminerandwould beawayfromhishomeand familyforextendedperiods. Now,hecanworkinhisvillageandspendqualitytime withhislovedones.

“Iamhappytobeemployedandclosetohome becausebeforethisventure happened,Iusedtobeaway foralongtimefrommy homeandfamily,”hesaid.

Hereportedthatthefacilityforminiclaybrick-makingislocatedinCentral Aishaltonandisunderthe guidanceoftheVillage

Council,whichoverseesoperations.

Thefatheroftwopointedoutthattheoperationis goingwell,excepttheyneed acantertruckoratractorfor transportationoftheclay blocks.Oncetheyreceiveorders,theyneedtransportation tofulfilthem.

Francisstatedthatmost peopleusetheminiclay brickblockstoconstruct theirhomesandusuallybuy theminbulk,sotransportationisvitalforthebusiness operation.

Heexplainedthatthe nearesttownisLethem, whichisfourhoursaway byroad,sincethevillageis remote.Transportationisan issueamongresidents,some ofwhomusemotorcyclesto TURNTOPAGEXI

TheminiclaybricksbeingproducedinAishaltonVillage,SouthRupununi, bylocalsisanempoweringinitiativetoprovideemployment

HazelJackman,co-founderofHerMarketEnterprise, shareshervisionforempoweringwomeninthebusinessworld

WhereWomeninBusiness Shine:HerMarketExpo2025

THEtwo-dayshowcase,runningfromSeptember20–21at theDemeraraCricketClubin Georgetown,featuresmorethan 50women-ledbusinesses.

Assectorsgrowandindustries becomemorediverse,Guyana— likemuchoftheworld—continues toseemorewomenventureinto business.InGuyana,thepush forwomeninbusinesshasbeen strengthenedbygovernmentinitiativesandsupportfromboththeprivateandpublicsectors.Butthereis alsoagroupofwomenwhoaretakingthemantlethemselves,withthe launchofHerMarketEnterprise.

Along-heldvisionbytourismprofessionalandentrepreneur HazelJackman,HerMarketEnterpriseisnowlaunchingtheCelebratingWomeninBusinessExpo 2025.Workingincollaboration withCharmaineCoppin,theduo aimstocreateasafespacewhere women-ownedbusinessescanfind aplatform,opportunities,anda communityoflike-mindedwomen strivingtomaketheirmarkinthe businessworld.

InaninterviewwithPepperpot Magazinethisweek,JackmanexplainedthatHerMarketEnterprise issimplyacollectiveofwomen entrepreneursfocusedonsharedde-

velopment.Thenon-profitventure, shesaid,aimstoprovideaplatform mainlyfornewcomers.

“HerMarketEnterpriseactually isagroupoflike-mindedwomen who’vedecidedtocometogether andjusthelpotherwomen,specificallyyoungerwomenwhoare entrepreneurs.Someofthemhave neverparticipatedinsuchanevent, andsoitisjusttohelpthemto showcasetheirproducts,makealittlemoney,anddevelopthemselves andtheirbusinesses.”

HerMarketbeganasanidea Jackmanhadmorethanadecade ago.Assherecalled,thevision wassparkedwhensheobserved thechallengeswomenfacedwhile vendinginGeorgetown.Thisgave birthtoasmallpop-upshopather home,whichhasnowevolvedinto whatcouldbecomeoneofGuyana’s largestexposofitskind.

“Thiswasmyvisionforyears, andthisissomethingthatIsaw11 yearsagowhensomewomenwere strugglingforspaceonRegent StreettosellatChristmas.That mademesaythesepeopledon’t havestorefrontsoranythinglike that.AndthatishowIstarted,from undermyhouse,todolittlepop-up shopsandsoon,”shestated.

AlthoughHerMarkethaspar-

ticipatedinsimilarventuresbefore, Jackmansaysthisyear’sexpoisby farthebiggestandmostanticipated.

“Butit’sonlynowthatitwillbeso big,”shesaid,addingthatmorethan 50women-ledbusinesseshavealreadysignedon.Withtheeventset forSeptember20–21,Jackmannotedthatthenumberisstillgrowing.

“Wehaveinexcessof50businesses registered,butIthinkmorepeople willsignup,”shesaid.

Jackman,whoalsorunsabusinessinthetourismsector,believes ventureslikethesearenotonlyimportantbutessentialforthesuccess ofsmall,women-ownedenterprises. Thegoalofthisexpo,sheemphasised,istoprovidenewcomerswith anopportunity.

“Ithinkventureslikethisare importantandsignificantbecause ithelpsustoputourselvesout there.OneofthethingsI’veobservedisthatyoukeepseeingthe samepersonsoverandover,sowe wantedtogivesomenewpeoplethe opportunity.”

Lookingbeyondtheexpo,Jackmanhighlightedthatwomenin businessformavitalsector.For manywomenandmothers,itistheir mainsourceofincome,whilefor others,ventureslikethesearesteps towardsindependence.

“Ventureslikethisarealso importantforself-development. Ithelpspeopletobeindependent. Somewomenaredoingitasaside hustle.Theyhavetheirregularjobs, whetherinthepublicorprivate sector,buteventuallysomeofthem branchoffandbecomeverysuccessfulentrepreneursandbusiness people,”shesaid.

Whiletherehasbeengrowing supportforwomeninbusiness, Jackmannotedthatlocalexposure stillremainslimited.Theexpo, sheexplained,ismeanttochange thatbynotonlygivingwomenthe chancetoshowcasebutalsoencouragingthemtostepoutsidetheir comfortzonesandengagedirectly withconsumers.

“Somepersonsareshy,some personsdon’tknowhowtogo aboutadvertisingthemselvesand theirproducts.Sothatcanbeadisadvantageforthem.Butaslongas youhearabouteventslikethese,it’s alwaysadvisablethattheyexplore andtrytobeapart,”shesaid.In acountrywheremanybusinesses thriveonwordofmouth,Jackman stressedthatlocalsupportisvital.

“Ihavefoundindoingthis thatlotsofpeoplefindoutabout businessesbecauseafriendtellsa friend.Somebodywouldcalland

say,‘Hey,Iwouldliketobeapart.’ Soputtingyourselfoutthereisimportant,”sheadded.

Withtheeventjustdaysaway, preparationsareinfullswingto ensureaproductiveexperiencefor participantsandanexcitingshowcaseforvisitors.Speakingonwhat attendeescanexpect,Jackmansaid:

“Guyanesecanexpecttosee newpeople,sometheymaynot haveseenbefore,andtheunique productstheywouldhavetooffer. Althoughitmaybesomethinginthe lineoffashionorjewelleryorwhatever,lookforthedifferences.That’s whatIusuallylookfor—something different.”

Andtheeventpromisestobe different,withwomenandbusinessesfromallacrossGuyanabringing freshideasandnewproducts.The expo,slatedtobeheldattheDemeraraCricketClub(DCC),21 LanceGibbsStreet,Georgetown, willoffermorethanawalkthrough ofbusiness.Jackmansaystheevent willalsoincludesomeentertainmentandgoodconversationto enhancetheambience.

Asthedateoftheexpogets closer,Jackmanisencouraging thepublictonominatemore women-ownedbusinessesthat deserveabitofspotlight.

AnEducator’sJourneyof Dedicationand FamilySupport

ByMichelOutridge

Ifitweren’tforcontinuous familysupport,bothmorallyand financially,LisaAdamswould nothavebeenabletoachieveher academicgoalssuccessfully.

Shesaidthatwithouttheunwaveringsupportofherparents,Trevor andMelanieAdams,shecouldnot havebeensuccessfulinherstudies andinupgradingherselfinallaspects.Adamsrememberedwhenher motherwouldstayupwithherat nightwhenshewasstudyingorhad schoolworktocomplete.Sheadded thathermotherwasalwaysthereregardless,andherhusbandwasnever greedywithmoney;hecontributed towardstheireducation—hersand herbrother’s.

Adamsreportedthattheyalwaysshowedupforheratallgraduations,andthatmotivatedherto climbhigheracademically.

Comingfromatight-knitfamily

inspiredhertogiveitherallinher studiesandtopursueherlovefor music,theatreandthearts.

AdamscelebratedherbirthanniversaryonAugust30,2025.She turned38yearsoldandiscontinuouslyupgradingherselfasateacher, lecturerandmusician.

ShegrewupinPouderoyen, WestBankDemerara,butspentthe majorityofherlifeinPhoenixPark, thesamevillageasbothherparents andasibling,whowillsoonaccomplishhisdreamcareerofbecoming acivilengineer.

AdamswasschooledatWest DemeraraSecondaryandattended St.StanislausSecondarySchoolfor twoyearstocompletebusinessand computersciencestudies.

Afterthat,shewentontoattend CyrilPotterCollegeofEducation (CPCE),whereshemajoredin Mathematicsandminoredinmusic.

Comingfromafamilyofmusiciansonherfather’sside—her

unclesplayedthesaxophoneand guitar—shebegansingingatthe ageof13.

Hergrandmotherisagifted singer,soherdayswerespent listeningtomelodiousmusicand songs.Shewastutoredatayoung age,whichmadeitclearinhermind thatshewantedtolearnmore,to teachmusic,andtomouldminds. Fortheloveofit,therewasno greatercalling.

Adamsrecalledthatheruncle introducedhertothreechordson theguitar,whichwasastarting pointforhertobecomeself-taught; shefiguredthingsoutonherown. Sheplaystheguitar,clarinet,recorderandcansing.

AdamsisalsoaStaffSergeant intheGuyanaDefenceForce(GDF) GuyanaNationalReserveCorps (GNRC).SheisaGod-fearing womanwhoisalsoamemberof HarvesttimeNewTestamentChurch ofGodatPouderoyen.

AftershecompletedCPCEin 2013,sheenrolledattheMusic School,whereshewasunderthe guidanceofthelateAndreaMentore,theMinistryofEducation’s AlliedArtsMusicModeratorand MusicCoordinator.

Thatone-yearcourseledherto writetheAssociatedBoardofthe RoyalSchoolsofMusic(ABRSM) examinmusic.Shewassuccessful, earningacertificatefromEngland. Adamsisamongthefirstsetof studentstoenrolwhentheInstitute ofCreativeArtsprogrammewas offeredandtheschoolopenedunder theNationalSchoolofTheatreArts andDrama.Sheearnedadiplomain TheatreArtsandDrama,aswellas adiplomainTeachingDrama.

Shesaid25studentsstartedthe programmeandonly12graduated, andshewasamongthem.

Itwasatthisstagethathermusicalcareertookoff.Sincethen,she hasdirectedmanyplaysatDrama FestivalactivitiesandattheDrama School.

Sheevenparticipatedinamusicalon-stageperformanceinSuriname,whereshedidastorytelling piece.

Adamshasbeenafull-time teacheratWestDemeraraSecondarySchoolasaMathematicsand Musiceducatorsince2009.She wasinstrumentalintutoringtwo students,whopassedthemusic examforthefirsttimeeveratthat schoolin2021.

Sheisalsoapart-timelecturerat CPCEbranchesatVreed-en-Hoop, TurkeyenandGeorgetown,teaching Practicum,MusicandPedagogy.

Adamshasappliedtodothe postgraduatecourseforbusiness studies,whichisaone-yearprogrammestartingonSeptember27 thisyear,andsheholdsabachelor’s degreeinManagementfromthe UniversityofGuyana(UG).

“Myhopeistopassonknowledgetolearners,tofulfilmypurposeinlife,toleavesomethingof substancebehind,toshareapiece ofmewithothersasaneducator,” shesaid.

Adamsisalwayswillingto assistothersandsheconsistently findsthetimetohelpstudents,as shehasbeenplacedinaposition toshareherknowledgeasbotha CPCElecturerandasecondary schoolteacher.

Bornandraised inthecommunity ofSt.Cuthbert’s Mission,Miss Reg4Amerindian HeritageQueen 2024-2026

O’statiaSimon isgivingbackto hercommunity andsaysshe willcontinueher effortsofcultural conservationand sustainabilitywith orwithoutthe crown(Abel.H. Studiophoto)

TWENTY-ONE-YEAROLDO’statiaSimonhas alwayslovedbeinginthe limelight,beginningwhen shewasjustsixyearsold. Today,theRegionFour MissHeritageCrownholderisstilltakingtothestage, butwithadifferentgoal: preservingculture.

Bornandraisedinthe communityofSt.Cuthbert’s Mission,alsoknownasPakuri,O’statiaisspearheading severalinitiativesaimedat safeguardinghercommunity’straditions.Fromworking withmemberstoovercome hurdles,toleadingprogrammesthatprotectIndigenouspractices,thisbeauty queensaysshewillcontinue hereffortsinculturalconservationandsustainability, withorwithoutthecrown.

O’statiadescribesher upbringinginSt.Cuthbert’s asauniqueandenrichingexperience.Reminiscingabout herchildhoodinaninterview withthePepperpotMagazine,shesaidculturehas alwaysbeenasignificantpart ofwhosheis,andshehasal-

waysbeenproudtorepresent andhighlightherheritage. ComingfromamixedbackgroundofIndianrootsand strongIndigenousteachings, O’statiahasalwaysboldly embracedheridentity.

“Iwasalwayspartofmy culturetoo,becauseIspent mosttimessurroundedbymy grandparents.Ievengotthe chancetolivewithmydad’s grandmother,whichislike mygreat-great-grandmother. Shetaughtmealotabout ourcultureasitrelatestoour language,ourfood,ourway oflife,ourstories.AndIhad abitofeverythingbecause mymumisalsomixedwith Indian,soIalsogotalittleof thatheritagetoo,”shesaid.

Althoughsheonlycopped thecrowninAugustoflast year,O’statia’stimeonstage andherworkinhercommunitybeganlongbeforeshe becameHeritageQueen.“I grewuponthestageitself. SinceIwassixyearsold,I foundmyselfonthestage, whetheritbedancing,skits, oralittlesinging,Ialways foundmyselfentertainingthe

Carrying Culture Forward

crowd,”sheadded.“Ibelieve havingtheabilitytoexpress whoIam—becausemycultureissomethingIholdvery deartomyheart—makesa difference.OnceI’monstage andI’mabletoshowthat, maybethereisalittlegirlor alittleboylookingon.They seehowproudIamofmy culture,andthey,too,can feelthatsenseofpride.”

O’statialaunchedthePakuriHarmonyHubwiththe goalofcreatingasafespace wherecommunitymembers couldcollaborativelyovercomehurdles.Operating sincebeforeshewonthe crown,thenon-profithas beencollaboratingwiththe villagecounciltomakea greaterimpactacrossmultiplesectors.“BeforeIbe-

cameQueen,Ihadstarteda non-profitorganisationcalled PakuriHarmonyHub.The organisationisanon-profit oneanditseekstoeliminate anysmallissuesthatvillagers mightbefacing,”sheexplained.“Whetheritbeenvironmentalchallenges,whetheritbestudentsneeding careerguidance,orwhetherit beafamilyneedingsupport, we’relikeatunnel.Support willgothroughus,andwe willdivertitintothecorrect area.Specifically,itserves somewhatlikeaneutralbody underthevillagecouncil.”

ButO’statia’swork doesn’tstopthere.Overthe lastyear,shehascollaborated withcompaniesintheoiland gassector,encouragingthem toengageandinspirethe community’syouth.Earlier thisyear,shealsoteamedup withMissEastCoast2024 TURNTOPAGEXIII

InternationalDayofCleanAirforBlueSkies2025

Theme:“RacingforAir. EveryBreathMatters”

EVERYbreathwetakeconnects ustotheworldaroundus.Clean airisnotaluxury.Itisabasic humanright.Today,September 7,GuyanajoinstheglobalcommunityinobservingtheInternationalDayofCleanAirforBlue Skies—areminderthatprotecting theairwebreatheisprotecting lifeitself.

Thisannualobservance,establishedbytheUnitedNationsin 2019,highlightshowvitalcleanair istoourhealth,ourenvironment, andourfuture.Firstcelebratedin 2020,thedaycallsongovernments, communities,andindividualseverywheretoworktogethertoreduce airpollution.

WhyCleanAirMatters

Airpollutionisoftencalleda “silentkiller”becausewecannot alwaysseeit,butitsimpactisvery real.TheWorldHealthOrganization estimatesthatitcontributestoeight millionprematuredeathsevery year.Children,theelderly,and peoplewithasthma,heartdisease, orotherchronicconditionsareespeciallyatrisk.

Butthisisnotjustahealthissue.Airpollutiondamagescrops, harmsecosystems,andworsens climatechangethroughpollutants likemethane,blackcarbon,and ground-levelozone.Thecostsare alsofeltintheeconomy,withbillionsspentannuallyonhealthcare andlostproductivity.

AirQualityChallenges inGuyana

•Construction-relateddust Withrapiddevelopment,dust fromroadsandbuildingprojects oftenaffectsnearbycommunities, causingdiscomfortandhealthrisks, especiallyforthosewithrespiratory conditions.

•Openburning Burninggarbage,vegetation, andfarmwasteremainscommon. Thesmokeandparticulatesharm localairqualityandputchildren, theelderly,andvulnerablegroups atrisk.

•Vehicleemissions

Thegrowingnumberofolder vehiclesontheroadreleasesexhaustpollutantsthatreduceairqualityinurbanareas.Poormaintenance worsenstheproblem.

•Industrialactivity Sawmills,quarries,andfactories cancreatedustandsmokeifnot well-regulated,leadingtolocalised airpollutionaroundcommunities.

•Householdpollution Insomeareas,theuseofwood, charcoal,andkeroseneforcooking contributestoindoorandoutdoorairpollution,affectingfamily health.

•Climatevulnerability Hottertemperaturesandchang-

ingweathercantrapdustandsmoke intheairlonger,intensifyingpollution’simpact.

WhatisEPADoing?

TheEnvironmentalProtection Agency,undertheEnvironmental ProtectionAct(Cap.20:05),is activelyworkingtosafeguardGuyana’sairqualitythrougharangeof initiatives.TheAgencyhasalready establishedfivepermanentair qualitymonitoringstationsacross Regions2,4,6,and10,witheight additionalstationsplannedfor installationin2025.Tostrengthen enforcement,mobileandhandheld toolsareusedduringinspectionsto detectpollutioninrealtime.

TheEPAalsoregulatesemissionsbyissuingenvironmental permitswithstrictconditionsand requiringEnvironmentalImpactAssessments(EIAs)forprojectsthat mayposeairqualityrisks.Beyond regulation,theAgencyencourages

betterpracticesbyworkingclosely withtheconstructionsectortoimprovedustcontrolandmitigation, whilealsorunningpublicawareness campaignstoeducatecitizensabout theimpactsofairpollution.

Collectively,thesemeasures supportGuyana’sLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS)2030, whichaimstobalancenational developmentwithenvironmental sustainability.

ingcleanerenergysourceswhere possibleallcontributetobetterair quality.Citizenscanalsomonitor airqualitybyusingthelink:https:// www.iqair.com/guyana.Doingthis willprotectthem,particularlysensitivereceptorssuchaschildren,the elderly,andpeoplewhosufferfrom respiratoryillnesses.

•Polluters

Businessesandindividualswho generateemissionsmustrecognise theirdutytorespecttherightsof fellowGuyanesetobreatheclean air.Thismeanscomplyingwith environmentalregulations,adopting dustandemissioncontrolmeasures, andinvestingincleaner,more sustainabletechnologies.Taking responsibilityisnotonlyalegal obligationbutalsoanethicalone.

•Communities

SharedResponsibility

TheEPAcannottackleairpollutiononitsown.Protectingthe qualityoftheairwebreatherequiresthecombinedeffortsofcitizens,communities,industries,and policymakers.Cleanairisashared responsibilitythatdemandsaction ateverylevelofsociety.

•Citizens

Everyindividualcanplaya roleinreducingairpollution.By reportingproblemssuchasdustnui-

Stronger,healthiercommunities canhelpsustaincleanairinitiatives. Plantingtrees,preservinggreen spaces,andsupportingeco-friendly practicesprovidelong-termbenefits byfilteringpollutantsandimprovinglocalairquality.Communities alsoplayacrucialroleinraising awarenessandfosteringsustainable lifestyles,inkeepingwithGuyana’s LowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy (LCDS)2030.

MovingForward

TheInternationalDayofClean AirforBlueSkiesremindsusthat protectingtheairwebreatheisessentialtoourhealthandfuture.For Guyana,itisachancetocelebrate progress,confrontchallengeslike dustandopenburning,andcommit tostrongeraction.Withcontinued monitoring,stricterenforcement, andgreaterpublicawareness,we canpreservecleanairasanational priority.

Byworkingtogether—government,communities,andcitizens— wecanensurethateverybreathwe takesupportsahealthierandmore sustainablefuture.

sances,illegalburning,orexcessive smoke,citizenshelptheAgency respondmoreeffectively.Practising properwastedisposalinsteadof burninggarbage,maintainingvehiclestoreduceemissions,andchoos-

Youcanshareyourideasand questionsbysendinglettersto: “TheEnvironmentalProtection Agency”,C/OCommunications Department,GangesStreet,Sophia,Georgetown,oremailusat: communications@epaguyana. org.FollowusonFacebookand Instagramandsubscribetoour YouTubechannel.

IHADaconversation oncewithaprofessorfrom abroadabouthisvisitto Guyanaafewyearsago. HedescribedGuyanaas the“greenest”placehehad visited.Thatdescription promptedmetoponder Guyana’sforestsandlandscape.AsGuyanese,we hardlyeverreflectonthe richhistoryandpreservationofourrainforests.

Itisoftensaidthatmost ofGuyana’slandsareuntouchedbymoderndevelopmentandarerichinnatural resources,floraandfauna—a realitythatseemsscarcein thedevelopedworld.Who thenisresponsibleforthe protectionofourgreenlands, andwhyaren’ttheygiven morecreditforit?

OurIndigenouspeople,theAmerindians,have treatedourforestsassacred groundsforcenturies.Asthe firstpeopleofGuyana,most oftheinlandandinterior regionsareconsideredtheir ancestrallands.Theworld isnowincreasinglyenvironmentallyconscious,and countriesareimplementing sustainabilitypoliciesand

projectstocombatclimate changeandmitigateenvironmentalhazards.These conceptsmaybeworded differently,buttheideaof “sustainability”isnotnewto thenativesofourland.They masteredtheartofbalancing naturewithlife.Itissafeto saythatnobodyknowsGuyana’srainforestsbetterthan theIndigenouspeoples.

InobservanceofAmerindianHeritageMonth,I wouldliketohighlightthe Indigenouspeoplesasthe protectorsofourrainforests. TheircontributionstoGuyanaextendfarbeyondthe nationaldishofPepperpotor theircraft.Today,Guyanais knowngloballyasoneofthe besteco-tourismdestinations thereis.Theconservationof ourrainforestsalsomeans theconservationoftheancestrallandsoftheAmerindians.Forthem,conservation isnotformerestatistics—it isapersonal,intergenerationalquest.

AccordingtotheGuyana LandsandSurveysCommission,Guyanahasfiveestablishedprotectedareas:Shell TURNTOPAGEXVI

ANILdidn’tsleepwellthatnight, ashelayinbedthinkingofAmber,seeingthepainandregret inhereyes.Soyoungshewasto havehadtoendurethepangsof betrayal,herparents’unforgiving stanceforherdisobedience,and beingleftalonetobringfortha child.Shewasinaweakmental andpoorfinancialsituation,and heknewshewouldneedastrong handtoholdasshetriedtopiece togetherthebrokenpiecesofher life.

Hergrandmotherwastherewith her,butbeinganoldlady,allshe couldgivewasloveandshelter.As hiseyesclosedinsleep,hewondered,“HowcanIhelpher?”

Asthedayswentby,thoughtsof howhehadactuallymethercame tomind,andhequestioned,“Did Godsendmetherethatmorning knowingshewouldneedsomeone’s help?”

Thefearinhereyesandthe silentpleawerewhathadheldhim back,andnowwheneverhethought ofher,itsentawarmfeelingwithin him.Hewasnotsurewhatthatwas, butsomehowfeltastrongneedto helpherinwhateverwayhecould.

Hetookheronedaytothe healthcentrewiththebaby,then wenttoNewAmsterdamtoget Chinesefoodforlunch.Sheloved

AndoneSundayafterChurch, hetookher,Annalisa,andGrandma foradriveuptheCorentynetoSkeldon.Itwasanicedayspent,andhe sawasoftglowinhereyeswhen shesmiledappreciatively,when shesaid“Thanks”forsomething, andwhenshesmiledjustbecause hewastherewithherandthebaby.

Hisfriendsatthepark,whohad laudedhimforwhathehaddone forthegirlatthetime,nowteased him,“Yuhpayingyuhchildsupport, bai?”

“Whachildsupport?Look,relax y’allself,eh,”hehadrespondedto theirjoking.

Fatmancametotheparkone morning,andhearingthejives, laughedandsaidtoAnil,“Ahtell yuhyouwouldagetintrouble.”

Anilsmiledandshookhishead slightly,takingthejokesinstride, andhesaidtohimself,“Iamhappy Ibroughtsomecomfortandsecurity intoayoungmother’slifewhenshe neededitmost.”

Herparentshadstillnotreached outtoher,butafewofherold schoolfriendsstartedtoreconnect, andthroughtheiradvice,shestarted anonlinecourseinbusinessmanagement.Shestillneeded,though, toearnherownmoney,butthebaby wastooyoungforhertoleaveand

goouttowork.Shedidn’twantto taskhergrandmother,sowhena churchmembersuggestedshecould startanonlinebusinessworkingand earningfromhome,shethoughtit wasagreatideabuthadnocapital toinvest.Anilsteppedinagainto assisthersoshecouldstartbecomingself-sufficient.

“Yourkindnesswarmsmy heart,”shehadtoldhim,aslight tremorofemotioninhervoice.

“It’sahsmallstart,”hehadtold her,“Andyuhcanmakeitgrow fromthere.”

Shehadinhaleddeeply,tears glintinginhereyes,andinstinctivelyshehuggedhim—alittlehugof gratitude.Atthatmoment,Annalisa gaveajoyfulsquealfromhercrib, andtheybothturnedtolookather.

Ithadbegunwithtwostrangers andanunbornbaby;nowitwastwo youngpeople,casuallyclose,andan adorablebaby.

Amberwasdoingwellwith heronlinestudies,andherbusinessstartedoffwell,alsoandwas growing.

“Thankyou,dearLord,”she saidaftertallyingherfirstearnings fromorders,“Forsendinganangel inmylife.”

Ithadbecomethenormnowfor AniltovisitAmberandthebaby, butthereweredayswhenhewas

verybusywithtripstotheairport orspecialhirestodifferentareas inthecountry,cominghomelate andtired.Buthealwaysspoketo heronthephonejusttomakesure shewasokay.Somethingbeautiful

washappening,slowly,bringing themcloser.

Inthenighttwoweekslater,he toldherhewouldbeverybusywith airporttripsforfamilycoming TURNTOPAGEXI

OURhumanenvironmentnow testsourawarenessofbeliefsystems,likefaithandtheinborn willtobegenerouswhendealing withourfallenkinandbrethren, inaworldwherecoldopportunismatallcostsisrampant,withoutconsideration.

Sometimeswecanhopefor redemptionbytheemergenceof otherprincipleswewerebredin, ortheobviousbalanceofright principlesweonceheldsacrednot solongago.

Thepredicament,however,can

havenuancesofitsown,simply becauseallthehiddendemonsof temptationswewerebroughtup toconsiderexist,arenotmerely rootedinourimagination,orthings thatouroldfolkinvented.Mostof themdwellintherealmsofscience andarepoweredbytheforcesthat shapethemedical—andnotsupernatural—realms.

Thesearethefirstconsiderationswelcomedintoourvaluesystem,justifiedtoempower,topermit usthestatuswedesire,atallcosts, bybowingtotheunprincipledlures

thatwehavesuccumbedto,convincedtowardsourownascension towealthandpower,regardlessof whatmustbesacrificed,aslongas wearenotplacedatthefinancially restrictedrealmsofpeopleinneed.

Themostcrucialconsideration inthequestforsometemptation restswiththeimpactonfamilies.To haveafamilymemberwhoisavictimofnarcotics—beitmarijuana, cocaine,oralcohol—atitsend,all havephysicallytornfamiliesapart.

Wehaveallwitnessedtheonslaughtbypeopleattheextreme

ofaddiction.Itismostofthetime violent.Whetherwewanttohelp, itisdaunting.Whenthegoinggoes bad,itisnotaneasycontemplation, becausemuchofwhatwewitness todayrestswithintheimpactofthe fieldsofneuropharmacologyandrelatedpsychopharmacology,looping inpsychiatry.

Wemustendeavouralongthe pathswhereopportunityguides us,inkeepingwithsomelevelof principlesthatwillnotimpactthose closetous.Becausethereisthis tendencytoleanonthefamiliar

whenthegoinggetstough,andhalftruthscancausepainandworse. Theageweliveindiffersfrom fortyyearsago.Manywhoshare thecommonthinkingthatfits intothesmartphonepersonality areluredbythedrumbeatofthe egotowardsaphantasmoftransformation.Sothereisaneedfor victimsandforbelievers.Within allthisistheneedforsanityand responsibility.Letusbeconscious asweproceed,andbeawarenot tocourtthealternative,asitsrealityisclearlyhintedhere.

getaround.

“Thisfacilityiswellacceptedbymeandmyfamily andbytheotherswhohave gainedemploymentthrough thisventure,developed bytheLCDSfundviathe AishaltonVillageCouncil,” hesaid.

LCDSFunding

Guyana’sLCDS2030 involvestheallocationof revenuesfromcarboncredits tosupportsustainabledevelopment,includingwithinthe country’shinterlandvillages, whicharehometomanyIndigenouscommunities.

Thesevillagescanutilise theirallocatedfundsforprojectsinagriculture,tourism, education,energy,andinfrastructure,enablingthemto prioritiseinitiativesthatalign withtheirlocalneedswhile contributingtonationaland globalclimategoals.

WhatisLCDS?

TheLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS)is Guyana’splantoachievea sustainableandnon-polluting newgrowthtrajectory.

ItaimstovaluetheecosystemservicesofGuyana’s

vaststandingforests,which storeasignificantamountof carbondioxideglobally.

Thestrategyoutlineshow Guyanacanbalanceclimate security,foodsecurity,and energysecuritywhilecreatingjobsinsustainablesectors.

Guyana’sLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy (LCDS)providesfunding andsupportforprojectsin AishaltonVillage,including abrickfactory,asolarminigrid,andcommunityinfrastructuresuchasakitchen andequipmentforfarmers.

Theseinitiatives,funded throughcarboncredits,aim topromotesustainableeconomicdevelopment,enhance livelihoods,andimprove publicservicesinthevillage,aligningwiththeLCDS goalsforclimatesecurity, foodsecurity,andequitable developmentinGuyana’s hinterlandcommunities.

AmongthekeyLCDS initiativesinAishaltonVillageisthebrickfactory, establishedthroughLCDS funding.Thefacilityiscapableofproducingthousandsofclaybricksper day.

inforaweddingandassistingwithotherpreparations.

“I’llmaketimetoseeyuh though,”heassuredher.

OnSaturday,hestopped by,butnotfortoolonga visit,becausehehadafamily get-togethertoattend.Annalisawasoverjoyedtoseehim, creepingtowardshimsofast shetumbledover.Helifted herandthrewherupinthe airacoupleoftimesasshe squealedindelight.

Thebaby’sattachment tohimwasgrowingstrongerbecausehewastheone intheirliveswhocared, providedsupport,andmade themothersmile.Heplayed withherforalittlewhile, thenafterAmberhadfed herandsettledherdownin hercrib,theysatdownto havedinner.Hehadbought specialChinesefoodfrom LimKangrestaurantinNew Amsterdam,andastheyate Amberaskedhim,“Sowhen isthewedding?”

“Nextweekend,sothe comingweekwillbeextremelybusyfuhme.”

“Icanjustimagine,”she said,“Withallthelavish décorofanIndianwedding

andthetraditionalmulti-day affairs.”

“Yup,isallofdatand more,”Anilstated. Amomentlater,he lookedatherwithaglimmerofinterestassomething crossedhismind.

“YuheverwearanIndian outfit?”

“No,”sheshookher head,notsurprisedatthe questiongivenhisculture.

“Ithinkyuhwouldlook reallyprettyinone.”

Shesmiledandsaid, “Maybe.”

Heleftashortwhilelater forthefamilyget-together atNo.55Villageonthe Corentyneandwasgreeted withhugsandhandshakes.It wasgreatmeetingrelatives hehadn’tseeninalongtime and,ofcourse,therewere theusualquestionsfromthe olderwomen.

“You’renotmarriedyet?”

“No,I’monly23,”he answeredquickly.

“Icanseeanicegirlfor youinToronto.”

“No,”anotherinterjected, “Indo-Americangirlwould bebetter.”

Anilsmiledpatientlybut

heneededtogetawayfrom them,andthankfullywas savedbyanuncle.

“Ladies,leavetheboy alone,”andheputhisarm overAnil’sshoulder.“Come on,son,let’shaveadrink.”

Anilgothomeat2a.m., andsoitwaseverydayleadinguptothewedding.But onthespecialday,itwasall worthit,withthesplendid décor,elaborateceremony andscrumptiousseven-curry food.

Theglamorousandelegantattendeesweresimply stunningtobehold,butfor Anil,onlyoneperson’simagenowfilledhismind. Shehad,overtheweeksand months,becomeacloser partofhislife,andheknew shefeltsecureandcomfortablewithhim.Butshehad sufferedabrokenheartand desertionbefore,soitwould taketimetoheal,forherto loveandtrustagain.

SoAnilstayedcool,allowingthatspecialcasual relationshiptocontinue,for everything,heknew,had itsowntimewhenitshould happen.

Tobecontinued…

ByAbigailPersaud Cheddie

WHENthekitchenclock chimedfiveonmybirthday morning,Irolledthebed coversintoaballandstood uptoseeifIhadgrown. Thenholdingmybreath,I tiptoedinthedarktothe bedroomwindow,eased theboltup,mindingits squeakingsoasnottowake Ivy,gentlypushedopenhalf ofthewoodenwindowand lookedfortheoutlineof Suzie’sverysquarehouse. Iwonderedwhenshe’d riseandgetdressedformy party.

Exceptforthecock-adoodle-doosandthesilhouetteoftwocanecuttershurryingalongcarryinglunch pails,theworldlaystill. SoIpulledthewindowin, climbedbackinbedand waitedformybirthday.But Ifellasleepagainandawoke tothesizzlingofsausages andeggsandPapflinging openwindowsandsinging,

“Woo!IxiePixie!IvyJivey! Birddaytime!Wakeup!Ooodle-doodleey-ooo.”

HewentoutagainandreturnedwithMam,thetwoof thembearingashinypackage thesizeofthreeyamcrates.I crawledoverthebed,poking IvyintheribsasIwent.

“Iveeywakeup,look.”

Ivywobbledover.“Is what?Iswhat?”shecroaked, tuggingatthebowandpeelingoffthewrapping.

Itwasahouse!Awooden housethatPaphadbuilt! Theroofcouldliftoffand thedoorandwindowswere largeenoughtostickour handsthroughandarrange theaccessories.

“Happidybwirday,”Pap saidandsquishedustohis tummy.

Mamsetherarmsakimbo andsmiled.

“Youcanpaintitany coloursyoulike,”saidPap.

“Lookadis,”saidIvy,liftingandreplacingthewhole floor.

“Whyitcomingoutlike

IxoraMara, SOURHOUSE

so?”Iasked,peeringatthe secondflooringunderneath thedetachablefloor.

“Soitcouldworklike atrapdoor.Likeinmystery stories,youknow?Youcould callitatrapfloor,”Papexplained.Heseemedpleased withhimself.

ButIdidn’tknowmuch abouttrapdoorsorfloorsyet, abouthowtheycouldlock thingsaway,hidethem,createtheillusionthatwhatyou sawwasthewholehouse.

“Alright,”saidMam, drawingusawayfromthe house,“comehelpmeget outyourbreakfast.Y’allturn sevennow,istimeenough.I beenmakingmyownsinceI wasfour.”

ShehandedIvyabutter knifeandbreadandletme brewtheteawhileshefinisheddecoratingthecake, firstdrawingaseven,then beneathit,writingIxoraand Ivy.

“Howcomeyoualways writeIxiefirst?”Ivysaid, breakingoffandeatingan

icingleaf.

Mamsmackedherhand. “Jus’’cusshebornfirst.Stop dat.”

“Naa-naa-na-boo-boo,Iii borrnfirrst,”Isaid.

“So?”Ivysaid.Shebroke anotherleafandcrammedit inhermouth.

Mamsmackedherhand again.

“So!”Isaidanddropped awetteabagonherhead.

“So?”Ivysaid,andwearingtheteabaglikeacrown, sheputonashowwiththe greenicingstucktoherteeth.

“Yuck.Closeit!”

Butsheopenedhermouth widerlikePollard.Pollard wasUncleWarbin’ssakiwinkimonkey.Weusedto feedhimsourfigbananas andheusedtojeeratusand sitonourshoulderswhilewe strolledaroundthevillageso thatchildrencouldcomeup andshakehishand,which he’dobligeifhewasinthe mood.

Butthatwasbeforehe wasstolen.

“Uck,”Isaid.“Youlook likePollardeatinggreen peas.”

“Andyoulooklike–”

“Shush,”Mamsnapped. “Sinceyouoldenoughtoargue,youoldenoughtobathe anddressyuhself.Gwan.”

Sowescrubbedand rinsedandshovedeachother intothepinkpolkadotdressesandpresentedourselves toMam.

“Notbad,”shesaid, soundingpleasedfora change.Thenshegrabbed thejumbotoothedcomband startedyankingtheknotsout ofIvy’shairandwhilethey tussledoverthehairandIvy alternatedbetween“ouch” and“oww”untilherhairwas upinapuffyballerinabun,I andmypinkpolkadotsand frillssidledtotheveranda.

Itwasdrizzling. Whataharrowing thought,Ithought–onlyI didn’tactuallyusetheword harrowinginmymind–I didn’tknowthewordharrowingthen,butIdidconjure upthefeelingofwhatharrowingmeant–whataharrowingthought,tothinkthat itmightrainandeveryone hadtocramintheoldkitchen andlivingroomwhereMam andGaneeGwennyneeded

togetabouttoservelunch. Theymighttripoverus,and thenthechowmeinandcookupricewouldpitchaboutin theairandflyintoourhair andboardgames. Harrowing.

Butnomatter.Suzieand IcouldfitbehindPappoHarro’srockingchairandplay thechequersthere.

“It’sdrizzlingMam,” Isaid,butonlybecauseI thoughtIshouldbemagnanimousandwarneveryone. Notbecausetherainhad anythingtodowithme.I adjustedmydressfrills.

“Therainmightgo’way man.Comehere.” Shestartedcombing knotsoutofmyhair.

“Ouuch.”

“Girl,stopwriggling.” Papappearedwithan arrangementofixoraflowers andivyleavessetinacrystal vase.

“Andnow,presenting–Igzzora,”hegesturedtowards theredflowers,“anndIvee.” Heflourishedhishands atthegreencascadingleaves, thenpaused.

“Getit?”hesaid.“Ixxzoh–”

“Pap,wegetit,wegetit, weknow,”Ivysaidbefore TURNTOPAGEXIV

Carrying Culture Forward

tohosta“QueensandKings Retreat,”wheretheyspoketo thecommunity’schildren,offeringguidance,advice,and insightintotheimportance ofrepresentingone’sculture.

Thoughsheiscurrently studyinginthecapitalcity, O’statiaremainsdeeplycommittedtohercommunity.

“Whenthevillagecouncil hostsanyeventthatrequires metobethere,IensureI dropeverything.Iensure thatIshowup,especiallyif it’sgoingtobeunifyingour villageinanysortofway.I wouldgoandensurethatI’m present,”shesaid.

O’statiaandherorganisationserveasavitallink, helpingthepeopleofher communitygettheirvoices heard.Butherimpactgoes evenfurther.Mostrecently, incollaborationwiththe villagecouncil,shehasbeen workingtoreintroduceand emphasiseculturalpractices ineverydaylife.

Althoughitmaysound simple,O’statiaexplained thatmassiveeffortisrequired toreintroducethecommunity’syoungpeopletotheir traditionallanguage.

“Culturalpracticesineverydaylifecouldbeassimple asgreetingsomebodyinyour nativelanguage,beingableto understandthemiftheygreet youinthesameway,andcarryingonaconversation.Our nativelanguageisLokojo, becauseweareArawaks,and weshouldbeabletounderstandeachotheronaregular basis,”sheshared.

Butlanguageisjustone partofthepreservationeffort. O’statiaalsoemphasisedthe importanceoftraditional dances,music,andcuisine; allofwhichsheandthepeopleofSt.Cuthbert’sMission

FROM PAGE VI

areworkingtopassdownto theyoungergeneration.She admittedthebiggesthurdle isgettingyoungpeopleengaged.“Alotoftimes,there arestereotypesaroundour culture,soyoungpeople don’twanttotakepartbecausetheyseeitassomething thatdoesn’tmeanmuch.But asyougrowolder,yourealise howsignificantourculture is,anditissomethingthat shouldbesustainedandpreserved,”shesaid.

LikeO’statia,thecommunityofSt.Cuthbert’sis diverseinitsdevelopment. Whileleadersandvillagersworktopreservetheir culture,growthinother sectorscontinuestoreach newheights.Born,raised, andschooledentirelyinthe community,O’statiasays St.Cuthbert’sisnowseeingmoredevelopmentthan everbefore,particularlyin tourism.

“Overthepastyears, therehavebeenmassiveand tremendousdevelopments inallsectorsinthevillage. We’veseendevelopmentin oureducationalsystemand agriculturaltourism.Sofar, tourismhasbeenoneofthe prioritiesofallthevillage councilsthattakeoffice,”she toldthePepperpotMagazine.

Sheaddedthatmuchof theprogresshasbeendriven bylocalleadershipworking inclosecollaborationwith Guyana’sgovernment.“Our leadershipiscategorisedby avillagecouncil.

Currently,thereisa16bodyvillagecouncil,and theygettoserveforthree consecutiveyears.Sofar, tourismhasbeenoneofthe prioritiesandithasbeen blooming,”sheexplained. Atthegovernmentallevel,

Sincebeforeshewonthecrown,O’statiafoundedthePakuriHarmonyHubwiththegoalofcreatingasafe spacewherecommunitymemberscouldcollaborativelyovercomehurdles.Today,thenon-profithas beenworkingwiththevillagecounciltomakeanevenbiggerimpact(CalvinRobertsphoto)

theprogresshasbeeneven greater,withmajorinvestmentsininfrastructureand newfacilities.

“Thegovernmenthas contributedtodevelopment insportsandinthehealth sector.Wenowhaveapolicestation,ahealthcentre, schools,andanICThub. ThoseareafewofthedevelopmentsI’veseenundergoing,”O’statiashared.

AsGuyanastepsintothe

monthofSeptembertocelebrateyetanotherAmerindian HeritageMonth,O’statiasays sheisexcitedaboutboththe nationalactivitiesandher ownplansmovingforward. Sharingsomedetailsabout St.Cuthbert’scalendarof festivities,sheexplainedthat themaineventwillbehosted onSeptember28and,likeall previousyears,willfeaturea vibrantcelebrationofcultural foods,music,anddance.

Personally,O’statiasays shewillcontinuetolaunch andsupportprojectsaimed atsustainableculturaland communitydevelopment. “Movingforwardtomeis justtocontinuethework withorwithoutthecrown,” shesaid.“Ibelievethatany projectsorinvestmentsthat arebeingmadeinourvillage shouldbesustainable,and theyshouldbeabletosustain themselveswhilealsobene-

fittingourvillage.

SoIbelieveanyprojectsIdoundertakeinthe futurewillbesustainable andbeneficial.Attheend oftheday,itdoesn’tmatter ifIhavethetitleornot,itis justsomethingthat’sgoing tobecontinued[while]I can.”

(PublishedonGuyana ChroniclewebsiteonAugust31st)

IxoraMara,SOURHOUSE

Papcouldprolonghisritual theatrics.

IlaughedandPaprolled hiseyes,shookhisheadathis philistineoffspringandsailed offtodisplaythevasenearto thecakeontheveranda.

Onhiswaybackthrough thelivingroomhecarefully transportedourixoragarlandsthatI’drestedonthe birthdaytable.Mamloosened hergriponmyhairsowe couldputthemon.

IvyandIlookedinthe

floorlengthmirror.Wewere justlikeSallyHallieathigh tea.Weweretwo,anddarker withfluffyhair,butdefinitely justlikeSallyHallie.

Iswirledthepolkadots aroundmeandadmiredmy flowernecklace.

Suddenlyitstruckme, Suziewouldneedonetoo, aflowernecklace.Ihadn’t thoughttomakeherone.My heartstartedupbouncing onthebridgeofmychest. Ididn’twantSuzietofeel leftout.

Icontemplateddashing outsideandgatheringmore flowers.ButIcouldn’t.Peoplewerealmosthere.Suzie wasalmosthere.Whencould I...tomorrow,tomorrowI’d makeoneforher,forsure. I’dtellher.I’dtellher,first thing,assoonasshecame throughthegate.

Mamtookholdofmy hairagainwhileIvywent toseewhowasshakingthe gate.

“Comein,”shesaidto someoneoutthere,“Justpush datgate.Pussh.Oh,thanks. LookMam,Juniorbringwea gift.Wecouldopenit?”

“Ifyouwant.”

“Lemmesee,”Isaidand wriggledfromMam’sgrip. Itwasafivebyfourinch superblythincolouringbook withapacketoffourcrayons.

“Ooo,thanksJunior,”I said.

Someoneelserattledthe ricketygateandIvystarted

shoutingagain,“Oi,No-Jo push.No,push.Notpull! NoomanpussshitIsaid!”

SheandJuniorwent downtohelp.

“Whatadunce,boy,”I said,“hedunnowhat’spush andwhat’spull?”

“Don’tlemmehearyou callin’nobodydunceagain,” Mamsaidandshovedahair pinintomyprecariousballerinabun.

Iwaslosingpatience watchingMaminthemirror asshetussledwiththegravity-defyingbun.

Juniorhadcome.NoJo wasoutthere.Otherswere comingin.Suziemustbe outtheretoo.Shemusthave broughtmeanewskipping ropeundertheshinywrapping.TheropeIhadwas frayingandoneofthehandleswasbrokenandshe knewthat.Ormaybeitwas justsocks.Mostchildren’s motherssentsocks.Butthat didn’tmatter.Sockswere fineandfunctional,asMam wouldsay.

Socksarefineandfunctional.

“HurryMam,”Ipleaded, assheaddedhairdressing creamuntilmyheadshone fromforeheadtocrown.

“Mam,hurry.”

Bylunchhouralmost everyonehadcome.Even UncleRaffiearrivedontime withLennardandAnnie-Lou.

Everyonescarfeddown theirlunchandhustledto thegames.JuniorandNo-Jo managedthecricket.They hadSmallSpokesfielding theball,runningupanddown likeapuppyplayingfetch.

AndIvyandAnahita, Kathi,Lotte,Imani,Adalia, BasmatiandJia,whichever

theywere–itdidn’talways matterastheylookedand ranaboutthesameanyway –theycarriedonwiththeir randomgames,screeching likeparrots.

Butthatwasnobusinessofmine.Istayedonthe verandawhiletheparrots screechedbelowandIfixed myeyesupatSuzie’sstairs.

Shewasbeingmaddeninglyslowtoday.Maddeningly,suchaniceword,I thought.

Maad-en-ing-ly.Maad-inenglee.I’dheardateacher onthetopflooratschool sayingthatword.

Lunchhourflowedby andGaneeGwennyandPappoHarroglidedaboutwith silvertraysservingthejello andthequarterpinticecream inrainbowbowls.

“Don’tshareawaySuzie icecream,”Isaid,looking acrossthestreet.“Keepa yellowoneforher,orpeach.”

Iwentandleanedbyour opengate.Thebroilingsun burneddownonmyballerina bunandthroughmypinkpolkadots.Butthedrizzlewas startingupagain.

AbouttheAuthor

AbigailPersaudCheddieisaGuyaneseauthor whosedebutnovel,Ixora Mara,Sourhouse,wonthe SpecialJudgesPrizefor YoungAdultFictionatthe 2024GuyanaPrizeforLiterature.Shealsoserved asanEnglishliterature lecturerattheUniversity ofGuyanafor17years. AccordingtoCheddie,the novelhadbeen20years inthemaking,havingfirst comeupwithitsinspiration whenshewas16.

EffectiveandEfficient AdministrativeAssistants EffectiveandEfficient AdministrativeAssistants

ADMINISTRATIVEAssistantsplayacriticalrole inensuringtheefficient functioningofeveryorganisation.Whilethenumber ofemployeesperforming thisvitalfunctionhasbeen reducedinsomeorganisations,thesupportprovidedbyAdministrative Assistantsisstillessential, anditwouldbedifficultto replaceallAdministrative Assistants,sincetheyare value-addedassetstoevery organisation.

ThetermAdministrative Assistantcansometimesbe usedinterchangeablywith othertermsthatrepresentthe samefunction,suchasConfidentialSecretary,Executive Assistant,orPersonalAssistanttotheManager.Itshould benoted,however,thatthe positionofanAdministrator isdifferentfromthatofan AdministrativeAssistant, astheAdministratorissimilartothatofaManageror Leader.

ThepositionofAdministrativeAssistantisnotgender-biased.However,for manyyears,therehasbeen agreaternumberoffemale employeesoccupyingthis position.Whetheramale orfemaleisoccupyingthis position,themostimportant thingisthattheyareexpected toperformtheroleeffectively.

AdministrativeAssistant’s Responsibilities

WhenorganisationsemployAdministrativeAssistants,theyprovidethemwith ajobdescription.Mostof theresponsibilitiesofAdministrativeAssistantsare includedinthissection.

AdministrativeAssistants areexpectedtobegoodplanners.Theywillhavetoplan theirworksothattheyare abletomeetandsurpassthe timelinesthatareallocated tothem.

Leadersmaybeextremelybusyandhavemany meetingstoattend.Onmany occasions,Administrative

Assistantswillhavetocoordinateinternalandexternal meetingsfortheirleaders. Theywillhavetoattendthe meetingsandtakenotesthat willbeincludedaspartofthe minutes.

Oncetheminutesare completedandapprovedby theleaders,theAdministrativeAssistantwillgenerate anactionsheet.

Boththeminutesandthe actionsheetwillbesubmitted tothosewhoareeligibleto receivethem.Amailinglist isoftenmaintainedbyAdministrativeAssistantswho areresponsibleforsharing theminutesandactionsheets.

Answeringthetelephone maybesecondnaturefor someAdministrativeAssistants.Manyofthemare verypoliteandhelpfultothe personontheotherendof theline.

Noteveryonelikestofile documents.However,thisis somethingthatAdministrativeAssistantsperformona routinebasis.

Becausetheyfiledocumentsinaprofessionalmanner,itisofteneasyforthem tolocateandretrieveimportantdocuments.Manyleaders dependontheirAdministrativeAssistantstohelpthem retrievecorrespondencethat wasfiled.

Ensuringthattheleader’s officeiscleanissomething thatmanyAdministrative Assistantshelptocoordinate, sometimesbyworkingwith thejanitor.Leadersareoften morecomfortableworkingin acleanenvironment.Ensuringthattheleaderreceives stationeryisanotherresponsibilitythatmanyAdministrativeAssistantscarryout.

CoreCompetenciesof AdministrativeAssistants Personswhodesireto becomeAdministrativeAssistantsmustpossesssome corecompetencies.When leadersrecognisethattheir AdministrativeAssistants possessmanyofthesecore competencies,theytendto

trustthemmoreandmay alsoutilisetheirskillsetin otherareas.

Accuratereports,letters, memoranda,etc.,aresome documentsleadersexpect theirAdministrativeAssistantstoproduce.

Leadersoftenhavemany taskstocomplete,sothey

hopetobeabletoreada documentandapproveit immediately.

AdministrativeAssistants mustdeveloplisteningskills. Itmaytaketimeforsometo developtheseskills,butleadersliketosharetheirviews withthosewhowilllisten.

AdministrativeAssistants

mustalsodemonstratethat theyarecriticalthinkers. Theymustlookforwaysto improvetheirworkandthat oftheorganisation.

AdministrativeAssistants areexpectedtobeableto typerapidly.Whiletheylearn totypespeedily,theymust alsotypeaccurately.

Employer’s Responsibilities

Employershavetheresponsibilitytomakesure theworkandofficesofthe AdministrativeAssistants aregivenmuchrespect.The officespacemustbesuitable forAdministrativeAssistants TURNTOPAGEXVII

Beach,KaieteurNationalPark,theIwokrama InternationalCentrefor RainforestConservation andDevelopment,theKanukuMountains,andthe KanashenCommunity. Theseareasarelegally protectedbythelawsof Guyanaand,byextension, internationallaw.However, decades—indeedcenturies—beforetheseareas wereprotectedunderlaw, theIndigenouspeopleprotected,guardedandnavigatedthem.

Thecommunityof Kanashenisdescribedas Guyana’slargestprotected area,anditishometothe Wai-Waipeople.While acresoftreesandplantsare protectedinthisarea,itis alsohometomanyanimals, including350speciesof birds.

TheAmerindiansin Kanashenandothercommunitieshaveevenbeen internationallyrecognised fortheirconservationwork.

In2015,theWapichan peoplereceivedtheUnited NationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)Equator Prizefortheirworkinmappingandmonitoringrainforestdeforestationcaused byillegalmining,using community-builtdrones. In2017,someoftheWaiWaiweretrainedbythe WorldWildlifeFundin theKanashenareatouse technologytonavigatethe forest,trackillegalresource concessions,andrecord ecologicaldata.

TheIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainforestConservationand Developmentoperates within900,000acresof theIwokramarainforest, protectingtheMakushi people’swayoflifeand ancestrallands.

Theypartnerwithlocals tosupporthumanresources throughemploymentand resourcemobilitytohelp furtherprotecttheforest. Doyouknowthefamous canopywalkthatmany socialmediainfluencers frequent?Well,itislocated withintheIwokramaforest. TheIndigenouspeoples ofGuyanahavealsoprac-

tisedsustainablefarming, suchasrotationalfarming andseasonalfishing,which arenowmirroredacross Guyanaandtheworld. Theyviewtheland,forests andwaterwaysasrespectful forcesthatshouldnotbe exploitedthroughoverproduction.

Theconceptofsustainabilityhasbeenapartof theirdailylivesforgenerations.Today,manyAmerindiansareopentousing technologytoamplifytheir impactinconservingtheir lands,whilealsomaintainingmanyoftheirancestral methods.

Inaworldthatisnow environmentallyconscious, Guyanareliesheavilyon theAmerindianstohelpus achieveourclimateambitionsofremaininggreen, withourforestsintact.

Policiesandlaws,such astheLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS) andtheprotectedareas framework,areoftencited anddescribedassuccessful initiativesundertakento combatclimatechange.

Whilethatremainsa fact,Ialsowishtoseeeveryonequoteanddescribe theAmerindiancommunitiesfortheircommitment, methods,andknowledge thattheycontributetothese initiatives.

Iampleadingthatthe recognitionshowntothe Amerindiansgoesbeyond symbolicmeasures. Theydeserveequalopportunitiesforsocialservicesandrepresentationat alllevels,includingbutnot limitedtotheprotectionof theirland.

Theyshouldbeseenas equalpartnersandleaders oftheseprojects,notjustas abenefittingparty,because illegalmining,deforestationandlarge-scalefarming stillthreatentheirsustainablewayoflife.

TheAmerindiansprotectedourrainforestsfor centuries.Ihopeallpolicymakers,authorityfigures,andeveryGuyanese citizenrealisethatitis nowourresponsibilityto helpprotecttheAmerindiansinreturn.

Effectiveand

Efficient...FROM PAGEXV

toworkin.Therewillbethe needtoprovideadequate officeequipmentandfurnishing.Serversandbackup powersupplyareimportantfororganisations,asthe workdonebyAdministrative Assistantsmustbesaved andeasytoretrievewhen theneedarises.Ifthereare regularpoweroutages,it willaffecttheAdministrative Assistants’work.

Someorganisationsdo annualperformanceappraisalsfortheiremployees. Whenleadersassesstheir AdministrativeAssistants, theymustensurethattheir contributionstothedepartmentandtheorganisation areadequatelyreflectedin thescoresallocatedtothem.

IftheneedarisesforAdministrativeAssistantstoundergotraining,leadersmust collaboratewiththeHuman CapitalDepartmenttosupporttheminthisarea.The employermustplandevelopmentalprogrammes,and someoftheseprogrammes mustalsobenefitAdministrativeAssistants.

Everyorganisation shouldcelebratetheimportanceofitsAdministrative Assistants,astheseemployeesworkveryhardforthe organisation.AdministrativeProfessionalsWeekis recognisedeveryyear,and leadersmustincludemoney inthebudgettocelebrate thesepersonnel.

ManyAdministrativeAssistantsworkwiththesame organisationforalongduration.Therefore,theirlong servicemustbeacknowledgedandcelebrated.Treat AdministrativeAssistants verywellandtheywillhelp theorganisationtosurpass itspreviousperformance.

InthemonthofApril everyyear,oneweekisset asideasAdministrativeProfessionalsWeektorecognise theimportanceoftheseem-

ployees.Sinceoneweekis setasideforthiscategoryof employee,thisshowshow importanttheyaretoevery leaderand,byextension, totheorganisation.Many leadersareoftendelightedto celebratethisweekwiththeir AdministrativeAssistants, andmanyAdministrative Assistantslookforwardto thisweekbecausetheywill becelebratedfortheircontinueddedication.

ThisweekdoesnotimplythatAdministrativeAssistantsareonvacationor thatitisarestfulweekfor them.SomeAdministrative Assistantshopethatduring thisweek,theywillhaveless worktodo,butsometimesit turnsouttobetheopposite.

Intheorganisation’sannualbudget,HumanCapital Departmentheadswilloften allocatemoneyforAdministrativeAssistantsWeek. Themoneywillbespentto acknowledgethecontributionsoftheorganisation’s AdministrativeAssistants.

Someorganisationsmay provideAdministrativeAssistantswithafixedamount ofmonetarycontribution orpurchasegiftsforthem. Someleaderswillmakeit theirpersonalresponsibility totaketheirAdministrative Assistanttolunchattheir expense.Manyleadersknow howimportanttheirAdministrativeAssistantsareto them.Itmaynotbepossible toacknowledgetheircontributioneverytime,butthey mustbeacknowledged.

Formoreinformation aboutGearyReidandhis books,pleaseusethesecontactinformation,Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ author/gearyreid,Website:www.reidnlearn.com, Facebook:ReidnLearn, Email:info@reidnlearn. com,Mobile#:592-6452240.

Decisionsthatlast

THEREareagreatmany mysteriesthatflowunderneathhumancivilisations likequietgroundwaters.

Thesemysteriesareomnipresentremindersthat therearequiteafewthings inourhistorythatwedo

notfullyunderstand,and probablyneverwill.Yet, wearegladforthemand celebratethemasintegral

milestonesofthedevelopmentofourspecies.

Ifthemysteriesbythemselvesdidnotchangehuman

beingsforthebetter,then ourattemptstounravelthem havesurelywidenedourunderstandingofseveraltopics.

Forinstance,wemay neverknowwhowrotethe 600-year-oldVoynichManuscript,andwhatsecretsthey weretryingtorecord.We maynevergettounderstand howtheGreatPyramidof Gizawasconstructedagainst allodds.Nevertheless,those whohavestudiedthesemysteriesovertheyearshave gainedvaluableknowledge thattheycanusetodevelop theworld.

Theexistenceofthese mysteriesalsogivesaninterestinglenswithwhichto viewthedecisionsthatwe makeinthepresentera.

Willourarchitecturebe regardedasmarvellous,mysteriousfeatswhenexamined afewcenturiesfromnow? Willourstoriesandsongsbe studiedasamythicalcodeby hundredsofspecialists?Will ourdecisionsandideasshape thewaypeopleliveinthe future,orwilltheybeseen asunpleasantanachronisms thatarebetterleftinthepast?

Today,alargeportionof GenerationZismadeupof adults.Wehaveslowlyshiftedfrombeingagenerationof childrentobeingageneration thatismostlymadeupof youngadults.

Eventhosemembersof thegenerationwhoarenot yetadultshavestillbecome oldenoughtoimpactthe worldaroundthem,oratleast dreamofthefuture.

Thesefactsmeanthat GenerationZismadeupof peoplewhoareresponsible fordirectingtheaffairsofthe worldandmakingdecisions thatcangraduallychangeits course.

Wehavebeguntooccupypositionsofpower,where ourideasandbeliefscan havealastingimpact.

Thisalsomeansthatwe arenowresponsibleformakingdecisionsthatwillcontinuetoimpactthegenerations thatcomelongafterweare gone.Inthesamewaythat weweretherecipientsof theconsequencesofchoices

madebyseveralgenerations beforeus,oursuccessorswill experiencetheconsequences ofourchoicesandactions. Theywillenjoythebenefits ofeveryrightchoicethatwe make,andtheywillsufferthe burdenofeverypoorchoice wemake.Thisisaresponsibilitythatseemsfrightening, butintruth,isquitefreeing innature.Wehavetakenup thewheel,andweareinfull controlofthedirectionin whichwewillproceed.

So,nowthatwehavethe worldinourhands,howdo weensurethatwedorightby oursuccessors?

Theanswerisquitesimple.Allweneedtodois includethemintheimportant decisionsthatwewerepreviouslyexcludedfrommaking! Tryingtomakelastingdecisionsforfuturegenerationsis almostasifwearebuilding ahomeforstrangerswhom weknowabsolutelynothing about.

Wecanalwayschooseto buildthehomeinamanner thatwebelieveisbest,but ifwedothis,wecannot guaranteethatitsfutureoccupantswillbehappyoreven comfortable.Instead,theeasierroutewouldsimplybeto involvetheminthedecisions wemakeaboutthehouseand providethemwithguidance wheneveritisnecessary.

Itisquiteeasytoleave behindmysteriesforourfuturegenerationstoexamine andmarvelat,muchinthe samewaythatourancestors didforus.However,itis muchmoredifficulttoleave behindthefruitsofgood choicesthatweremadeto lastforcenturies.

Perhapstheonlywayto lessentheloadofthisdifficultyistoshareitamongst severalgenerations.Inthe past,thepowertomake decisionshasbeenpassed onfromonegeneration toanotherlikeatorch. Couldyouimaginehow differentourworldcould beif,insteadofpassingon power,weallowedseveral generationstoembracethe warmthofitsglowatthe sametime?

STUDYSUCCESS

Welcome,dearreading friend.Severalstrategies oftenboostreadingcomprehensionskills.Youcan trythese:questionwhat youread,analysethetext structure;createmental images,andsummarize; thinkbeyondthestoryand relateittoyourexperiences concerningitscontents. Youcanevenjournalyour thoughts,feelings,andgoals forreflection,orproducea nonverbalresponse,such asadiagramormap,to clarifyandreinforceverbal messages.Itisalsogood toexpandyourexperience byexploringmysteriesand newworlds.Bewise.

Loveyou.

THEPASSAGE

Respondingtomultiple-choicequestionsafter carefulreading Remindersforreinforcement:

1.Awell-structuredmultiple-choicequestion(MCQ) willcontainmostoftheinformationneededtoanswerthe

question,andwillhavethese threemainparts:

i)aclear,concisestem, whichisthequestionorincompletestatementthatthe questionasksabout.

ii)optionsthataresimilar inlength,style,andcontent, oneofwhichisthecorrect answer(orkey),whichisthe bestorrightoption.

iii)distractors,whichare plausiblebutincorrectalternativesdesignedtomislead you.

2.Respondingtips:i) Readthepassagecarefully.Asyourespond,read eachentiremultiple-choice questionandallitsaccompanyinganswerchoices Payattentiontothemain idea.Observeanycrucial directiontermssuchas“not,” “always,”“never,”“best,” “correct,”“except,”“all,”or “none”.

ii)Trynottobemisled. Evenifyouthinkyouknow therightanswer,stillread everyoption.Ignorethe choicesthatareobviously incorrectordonotfitgrammaticallywiththequestion

Indicateyourchoiceclearly.

iii)Thelongeranswer issometimesmorelikelyto becorrect,asitoftenhasa helpfulelaboration.Iftwo answersseemcorrect,select themorecomprehensiveone ortheonethatbestfitsthe question’scontext.Ifyou areunsure,makeaneducated guessandrevisitifthereis enoughtime.

iv)Answereveryquestion,anddonotchangeanswerswilly-nilly.

PassageA. Instructions:Readthe selection,thenanswerthe multiple-choicequestions belowit.

Aturningleafstayspartly greenatfirst,thenreveals splotchesofyellowandred asthechlorophyllgradually breaksdown.Darkgreen seemstostaylongestinthe veins,outlininganddefining them.Duringthesummer, chlorophylldissolvesinthe heatandlight,butitisalso beingsteadilyreplaced.In thefall,ontheotherhand, nonewpigmentisproduced, andsowenoticetheother

coloursthatwerealsothere, rightintheleaf,although chlorophyll’sshockinggreen hidthemfromview.

(“WhyLeavesTurnColourintheFall”byDiane Ackerman)

1.Whatistheauthor’s generalpurpose?

(A)toentertain(B) topersuade(C)totake aback(D)toinform

2.Whichstatementexpressesthepointofthemessage?

(A)Heatputsstresson leaves.(B)Darkgreen lastslongest.

(C)Chlorophyllgives leavesashockinggreenappearance.

(D)Whenchlorophyll dissolves,wenoticecolours thatwerealwayspresentin theleaf.

3.Whichsentencebest describestheauthor’sspecificpurpose?

(A)Sheisdescribing variousshadesofgreen.

(B)Sheisexplaining whyleaveschangecolour.

(C)Sheiscomparing bothsummerandfallweather.

Butsomewhere,beyond spaceandtime,Iswetter water,slimierslime!

RUPERTBROOKE(1887-1915)

(D)Sheisdescribing chlorophyll’sroleinphotosynthesis.

PassageB. Instructions:Readthe selection,thenanswerthe multiple-choicequestions belowit. Theytoldataleofwoes whichwasthenaltogether beyondmyfeeblecomprehension:theyweretones loud,long,anddeep;they breathedtheprayerandcomplaintofsoulsboilingover withthebitterestanguish Everytonewasatestimony againstslavery,andaprayer toGodfordeliverancefrom chains.Thehearingofthose wildnotesalwaysdepressed myspirit,andfilledmewith ineffablesadness.Ihave frequentlyfoundmyselfin tearswhilehearingthem Themererecurrencetothose songs,evennow,afflictsme; andwhileIamwritingthese lines,anexpressionoffeeling hasalreadyfounditsway downmycheek.

(FrederickDouglas’“The NarrativeoftheLifeofFrederickDouglas,AnAmerican Slave”)

1.Thispassageisprobablytakenfroma(n) (A)newspaper(B) magazine(C)autobiography(D)shortstory

2.Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesthemain ideaofthepassage?

(A)Thenarratorhasa deepemotionalattachment totheslavesongs.

(B)Thenarratormisses singingthesongsthathesang asachild.

(C)Thenarratordoesn’t understandthemeaningof theslavesongs.

(D)Thenarratorisunmovedbytheslavesongsbut triestounderstandthem.

3.Inthephrase“ineffablesadness,”ineffablemeans (A)powerful(B)indescribable(C)unbelievable

(D)slight

4.Beginningtheselection witharhetoricalquestion would (A)confusethereader. (B)introduceanewcharacter tothereader.(C)setupthe expectationthattheauthor willdiscussthequestion (D)requiretheauthorto includedialogue.

5.Inthestatement“every tonewasatestimonyagainst slavery”testimonymeans (A)saying(B)truth (C)report(D)evidence

PassageC.

Instructions:Readthe selection,thenanswerthe questionsbelowit. Alongtimeagotherewas avillagehere,sotheysay,but nooneknowswhoexactly inhabitedit.

Whenmy great-great-grandfathercame herewiththeothersettlers, therewereonlyruins,and itlookedliketheyhadbeen standinghereforalongtime. Anyhow,my great-great-grandfatherand theotherscameandbuilta bigtown–anditstoodhere onthisveryspotuntilforty yearsago,whenthewhole areawastakenoverbythe NationalParksOrganisation. Theydidn’twantthisugly greattowninthemiddleof theirpark,sotheypaidthe inhabitantscompensation andrazedthewholethingto theroundwithbulldozers. You’dneverknowtoday therewasonceatownhere. Wouldyou?

1.Howlongagocould ithavebeenwhenavillage existedhere?

2.Whoisasettler?Describewhothosesettlers couldhavebeenlike.

3.Whatcouldhave causedthefirstsettlersto vacatetheirvillage?

4.Whatcouldtheugly greattownlooklike40years ago?

Treatingatoothachebyyourself

HOMEremediestotreata severetoothacheareonly temporarymeasureswhich peoplecanusetoalleviate acutepain.Noneisdesignedtobethelong-term solutionorcure.Infact, thelongeronedelayshavingdefinitivetreatment fromadentalprofessional, insteadofrelyingwholly onemergencyhomerelief, themorethesituationwill worsen.

Itcannotbeoverstated thatmanysituationsthat requireemergencydental interventioncouldhavebeen avoidedinthefirstplace. Forexample,teethdonot becomediseasedovernight. Ascheduleddentalappointmentwouldhaveconfronted anincipientcarioustoothor excesscalculuslongbefore.

Anyway,youmayask, “IfIsuddenlygetatoothache,whatcanIdoaboutit otherthanimmediatelygoingtoseeadentist(whichat thistimeisunlikely)?”You maywanttotryoneofthese asatemporarymeasurefor alleviation.

Theeasiestself-treatment isplacingacoldcompresson thecheekcorrespondingto theaffectedtooth.Also,use theRuleofThrees,which statesthatyoutakethreeibuprofen(250mg)tabletsthree timesadayforthreedays. Motrinisrecommended.You shouldstartwithadouble dose.Withalargerstrength, whichismoreconvenientto take,youwillobviouslyuse fewertablets.

Anotherremedyisto takeatinycottonballsoaked incloveoil(pulveriseafew clovesinadropofoliveoil oranymineraloil)anduse thattoplugthecavity.

Coldistheonlyphysicalagentknownwhichcan subduetheprocessofinflammationbecauseitisinflammationthatcausespain andswelling.

Occasionally,itwould helpifcoldwaterwereheld inthemouth.Butoneshould becarefulwhenusingcold orheatonachingteeth.

Byrinsingwiththree percenthydrogenperoxide mixedwithanequalpart

ofwater,orbyrinsingwith simplesaltwater,atoothachecandisappear.

If,forsomereason,there isanincreaseinbloodpressure,atoothachecanbea sideeffect.Clearly,thepulp chambercannotdistendto accommodatethechangesin pressurebecauseitislocated atthecentreofthetooth.

Theaugmentedpressure thereforecompressesthe nerves,whichresultsinthe pain.Elevatingthehead candecreasepressure.This methodmaybefoundto beusefulwhenatoothache attacksduringthehoursof slumber.

However,evenifreliefis achieved,ifthepainwakes youupatnight,itisserious forthetooth.

Toothpainaftereating sweetsmeansthattheacid producedfromtheconverted sugarisactingonexposed nerveendingsinthecavity. Thewaytoresistthisisto neutralisetheacid.

Ahomeremedyisto rinsethemouthwithasolutionofbakingsoda.Baking powderhassomesodium bicarbonateinit,andthiscan alsobeused.

Toachieveemergency relieffromatoothache,one mayhavetocleanoutthe cavity(thedirectapplicationofalcoholinthecavityusuallynumbsitfora shortwhile)andthenplugit completelywithsugar-free chewinggum.

Apartfromthis,aloevera isknowntohaveasoothing effectonachygumsand teeth,justbyapplyinga smallamountofthefleshy parttotheaffectedarea.

Garliccanprovidequick reliefduetoitsantibiotic properties,whichhelpfight infections.Justchewaclove ofit,andthepaingoesaway. Similarly,anoniongivesan identicalresultbyplacing asliceontheproblematic tooth.

Peppermintistheonly herbIknowthatyoucan boilanddrinkasateatohelp alleviateatoothache.You canalsogrinduptheleaves andplacethemdirectlyon thecavity.It’safinenatural

remedyfortoothachebecauseitcontainsmenthol, whichnumbsnervesaswell

aspossessesantibacterial effects.

Thecrushedleavesin

watercanbeanexcellent mouthrinse.Finally,fine leafthymemashedand

mixedinwaterandused asamouthwashisgoodto easeterribletoothaches.