Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 08-03-2026

AnnetteArjoon-Martins, environmentalistand ProgrammeManagerof theGuyanaMarine ConservationSociety, hasspentmorethan40 yearsempoweringwomen throughconservationand sustainablelivelihoods (SamuelMaughnphoto)

NewGCUPresidentpromisestoleadwith compassion,opennessandpurpose

-CommunityleaderNadiraSomwarucommitted tohelpingthelessfortunate

ByFrederickHalley

REALestatebusinessprofessional,NadiraSomwaru,isthenewpresidentof theGuyaneseCanadians forUnity(GCU).Shewas electedattheassociation’s AnnualGeneralMeeting (AGM),heldlastSunday attheCommunityRoom ofthePoliceNumber31 Division,Toronto,Ontario,

Canada.

TheGCUaimstobring togetherGuyaneseCanadians andfriendsofGuyanatohelp fostersocialengagementand heritagepreservationinthe GuyaneseCanadiancommunity,aswellastosupportthe progressivedevelopmentof Guyana.

Theorganisationwas foundedin2022byJanetNaidu,aneducatorand

communityleaderwhowas borninCoventGarden,East BankDemerara,andcameto Canadainthe1970s.Naidu servedasitsfirstpresident forthepastfouryears. Somwaru,herselfoneof thefoundingmemberswho servedasvice-presidentfor thefirsttwoyears,helpedto launchtheorganisationatan inauguralluncheonin TURNTOPAGEVII

WomenEmpowered toProtectandProsper

ByShaniyaHarding

SINCEshewasayounggirl growingupalongtheriverbanks ofthePomeroonRiver,Annette Arjoon-Martinssawthestruggles manywomeninhercommunity facedinachievingfinancialindependence.Shesaidthisinspired herformorethan40yearsofher career.Foroverfourdecades, Arjoon-Martinshaswalkedthe coastalcommunitiesofGuyana’s Region1,blendingenvironmental activismwithwomen’sempowerment.

FrommakingShellBeachthe country’sfirstcoastalprotected areatotrainingyoungwomento monitorthesprawlingmangroves ofBarima-MoraPassagewith drones,herworkmarriesconservationwithopportunity.Beyond protectingecosystems,sheequips womenandgirlswithskillsand incomes,frompepperflakesto honey,turningthemintoleadersin theircommunitieswhileshowing thatsafeguardingtheenvironment andupliftingwomencangohand inhand.

Whileservingasaprogramme managerattheGuyanaMarine ConservationSociety(GMCS), Arjoon-Martinsdescribedherself simplyasanenvironmentalist. Shehasworkedacrossthelength andbreadthofGuyana,thoughthe bulkofhercareerhasbeenspent inRegion1,whereshehasbeen activeformorethanfortyyears. HighlightsofherworktodateincludemakingShellBeachthefirst coastalprotectedareainGuyana,as wellasmanyotherinitiativesover theyears.

Hercurrentwork,however,is makingatangibleimpactinsome ofGuyana’smostremotecommunities.WorkingintheBarima-Mora Passage,anareaadjacenttoShell Beach,Arjoon-Martinsisteaching younggirlsfromsurroundingcommunitiestodevelopalternativelivelihoods.Oneofthemostimpactful wayssheandherteamdothisis throughdroneoperation.

Asimpleskill,taughttosome 14girlsoverseveralweeks,has enabledthemtoearnalivingwhile contributingtoresearchandcommunitydevelopment.“Iamvery happytosaythatsomeofthese

girlswhoweretrainedarenow workingwithgovernmentagencies astheirdronepilots.

Soitwasgoodtohavethegirls trainednotonlytomonitorthe mangroveforestintheBarima-MoraPassage,butalsotoworkwith theProtectedAreasCommission atShellBeach.Sotheyarenow monitoringthatentire100-kilometrestretchofbeach.”Moreover,the workoftheseyoungwomengoes beyondmonitoring.Arjoon-Martins addedthatthewomenandgirlsare helpingprotecttheenvironment likeneverbefore:“Atthebeginning,wehadthemgoingouttodo

regularmonitoring.Sotheywould dotheirreports,whichwewould thensendtotheagencies.

Forexample,iftheywentout andsawanoilspill,theytook photographs,videos,andareport. Well,thenthatwassenttothe EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,

whothensentintheirofficerstogo andspeaktothepeoplewhowere sellingfuel.”

Arjoon-Martinsandherteam arealsoworkingwitholderwomen. Assheexplained,sheiscurrently collaboratingwithwomenfrom Region1’scommunitiesinpepper production.Workingwithmore

than20women,Arjoon-Martins helpsthemcultivateaveryunique typeofWiriWiripepper:“Wework withthewomenintermsoffarming it,andthenwhenit’spicked,they putitinadehydratortodryit,and thentheyflakeit,andthenit’ssold asapepperflake.”Thisproject hashadfar-reachingimpacts,with somewomenearninganindependentincomeforthefirsttimein theirlives,andothersgoingonto supporttheirfamiliesandcommunities.“Thewomenwhopreviously didn’thavemuchtodoarenow earninganincomefrompicking andsellingthepeppers.

Actually,oneofthesuccesses isthatthey’resellingitnowtoa businesswomanatKamakaMarket, andthey’regetting$1,000apint, whereasbefore,you’dbarelyget maybe$200or$300,”sheadded. “Itgiveswomenthecapacityto earnanincome,investitbackin theirkids’education,asmostmotherswill,oratleastbeabletobuy thethingsthattheyneed.”

ForArjoon-Martins,thework shedoesisdeeplypersonal.Growingupinacommunitysimilar totheonesshenowworkswith helpedsparkherpassionforwomen’sempowerment.“Mymomis Indigenous,andI’mIndigenous, andgrowingupinPomeroonRiver,whichisariverinecommunity inRegion2,itwasveryobvious tomefromaveryyoungagethat womenarereallychallengedtofind employmentandearnanincome. Sogrowingup,itreallystuckwith methatifIwantedtoworkona programme,Iwouldwanttowork onhelpingwomen,upliftingwomen,upliftingyounggirls,”shesaid.

Thispassioniswhysheaimsto continueexpandingopportunities forGuyana’swomeninthehinterland.Movingforward,herfocus includeswomeninpepperflake productionandhoneyproduction: “Mypresentstepwiththemin termsofworkingwiththePepper Flakesisthatwewanttolookat howtodovalue-addedproducts fromthePepperFlakes.

Sowe’realsoworkingwith womeninbeekeeping.We’ve trainedabunchofwomeninbeekeepingaswell.Theyhavetheir hivesinthemangroveforest,which providesthemwithveryhigh-qual-

ityhoney,”sheadded.“Icouldsee, forexample,wecouldhavethe PepperProjectandtheHoneyProjectdoingsomethingwherewehave pepper-infusedhoney.Soagain, you’regoingafterthegastronomic market.”

WhileArjoon-Martins’work hasmadeasignificantimpact, shehopestoseecontinuedefforts tosupportanddevelopwomen inGuyanaandinternationally.In recentyears,shehaspointedto positiveshiftsinwomen’srolesand empowerment.

Speakingonthegrowingnumberofwomeningovernance,she shared,“Ifyoulookatthenumber offemaleministers,bigimprovementfromyearsago.Evenin Parliamentaswell,youcouldsee therepresentationthere,”shecommendedagenciesliketheWomen’s ChamberofCommerce:“Idosee sincetheGuyanaWomen’sChamberwasformed,forexample,they havealotofprogrammesthatare reallybenefittingwomen,benefittingyoungwomenespecially.In termsofatthevillagelevel,we don’thavethatlevelofawareness yetofhavingwomenorganised asagroupandrepresentingtheir groups.”

Whilestrideshavebeenmade, therearestillareasthatneedfurtherdevelopment.Arjoon-Martins highlighteddomesticviolenceasan arearequiringintervention.Sheexplainedthatthenumberofdomestic violencecasesandviolenceagainst womenoverallisaninternational issuerequiringcollaborationto address.“Wearebattling,asIsaid, domesticviolence,whichismuch worsenow.It’salmostlikeadisease.SoIthinkthatgoingforward, Iwouldreallyliketosee,atleast beforemytimeisuponthisearth, somereallytangibleprogrammesto curbthisdisease.”

Throughherwork,Arjoon-Martinshasshownthatconservationandwomen’sempowermentcansuccessfullygohandin hand.Bytrainingyoungwomen indronetechnology,supporting greenenterprisesandcreating income-generatingopportunities, sheisnotonlyprotectingGuyana’suniqueecosystemsbutalso givingwomenandgirlsthetools tothrive.

Multi-talentedGuyanese-born creativewriterpublishesher firstbook, ,inFrenchGuiana

ByMichelOutridge

TONYAGreigisa26-year-old Guyanesepoetwhoreclaimedher storywiththereleaseofherdebut collection,Lovedidnotbreakme, youdid,abookchroniclingher personalmentaltrauma,betrayal,andherchoicetoprioritise herself.

Greigestablishesherselfasa rawandnecessaryvoiceincontemporaryCaribbeanliteratureandwas recentlyfeaturedintheCaribbean EntertainmentMagazine.

deeplyfascinatedbytheideaof writingbookstoinspireothersand, atthesametime,tellherstories.

Asayoungself-taughtwriter, shepublishedherfirstbook,a nonfictioncollectionthatbeganas apersonaltestimonythatsomehow materialisedintoasolidbookin FrenchGuianarecently,whichhas gainedsometractionaftershewas featuredintheCaribbeanEntertainmentMagazine.

abrighterfuture,forworkbasically, andthatishowsheendedupthere toreside.

Greigattendedschoolin Georgetownthroughhighschool (RichardIshmaelSecondary)in thecityandlaterbegancollege,but duetopersonalcircumstances,she didnotcompleteherformalstudies.

Creativewriter/poet,TonyaGreig,poseswithhernewly releasedbook

Herworkisn’tjustpoetry;it’s a“bodyoftruth”thatexploresthe complexitiesoftrauma,betrayal andtheultimatepowerofchoosing oneself.

Shewritesforthewomannavigatingthespacebetweenbrokennessandhealing—provingthat whilelovecanhurt,itdoesn’thave todefineyou.

GreigisaGuyanese-borncreativewriterwhoresidesbetween GuyanaandFrenchGuiana.

Sheisapoet,painter,andwriter,passionateaboutbringingideas tolifethroughwordsandart,and

Greigisexploringthepossibilityoflaunchingthesamehere locally,asitisonlyfitting,given herplaceofbirth.

Shewasbornandraisedin Georgetown,Sophia,Greater Georgetown.Greigcomesfroma multi-ethnicheritage,andherroots arehereinGuyana,wheremanyof herrelativesstillreside.

Greig’smotherisIndo-Guyanese,sowithbothIndianandAfricanroots,andonherfather’sside, sheisofAfricanethnicity,with hergrandparentsoriginallyfrom Barbados.

Sheexplainedthatherfather wasborninGuyanaandlatermigratedtoFrenchGuianainsearchof

However,hercreativejourney continuedoutsidetheformaleducationsystem,whicheventually ledhertowriteandpublishher firstbook.

Itwasthroughherconnection toFrenchGuianathatsheaspired tobecomeawriter,andwithher knowledgeofFrench,thenative languageofFrenchGuiana,she knewshehadwhatittooktoaccomplishthatpersonaltask.

Greigiscurrentlyfocusedon herin-depthpersonalwritingand art.

“Ipaintoncanvasesandcreate custompieces,whichI’vesoldinternationallyintheUnitedStatesof America(U.S.),CanadaandFrench Guiana.I’malsointheprocessof startinganAirbnbinGuyana,as partofbuildingindependentprojectsasanentrepreneur,”shesaid.

AbouttheBook:

Thebook,Lovedidnotbreak me,youdid,isapoetrycollection thatexploreshealing,self-discovery andthemomentsthatshapewho weare.

Greigsaidthat,throughhonest andreflectivewriting,thebook invitesreaderstoconnectwiththeir ownexperiences,findcomfortin sharedemotions,andcelebratethe resilienceofthehumanspirit.

TonyaGreigisredefininghow wetalkaboutloveandheartbreak. Withherdebutpoetrycollection, LoveDidNotBreakMe,YouDid, shechallengestheromanticised narrativesthatequatechaoswith passionandsufferingwithdevotion.

Instead,Greigofferssomething moreintrospective:athoughtful examinationofemotionalmaturity, generationalwounds,griefandthe courageittakestoremainsoftina worldthatoftenrewardshardness.

WithLoveDidNotBreakMe, YouDid,TonyaGreigoffersmore thanpoetry—sheoffersperspective.

Herwordsremindusthatheartbreakdoesnothavetohardenus, thataccountabilityisaformof growth,andthatlove,initspurest form,isnevertheenemy.

Throughvulnerabilityand emotionaltruth,shecreatesspace forhealingconversationsthatresonatefarbeyondthepage.

-Empoweringwomenthrough duckbreedinginruralGuyana

ByMichelOutridge

ASGuyanajoinstheglobalcommunityinobserving‘InternationalWomen’sDay’todayonMarch 8,2026,underthetheme“Give toGain”,thiscampaignunderscoresaprofoundtruth:when societiesinvestinwomenthrough education,accesstoresources andmeaningfuleconomicopportunities,thebenefitsextendfar beyondtheindividual,strengtheningfamilies,communitiesand nationaldevelopment.

Inthequietagriculturalenclave

ofGuavaBushVillage,Region6, thismessagefindstangibleexpressioninthelifeandworkofKalawattie“Devika”Mangal.

Adevotedmotherofoneand adeterminedentrepreneur,Devika hastransformedamodesthomebasedinitiativeintoathriving duck-breedingenterprise,andisan exampleofhowruralwomenare increasinglycarvingouteconomic spacewithinGuyana’sevolving agriculturallandscape.

DuckbreedinginGuyanahas emergedasoneofthefastest-growingsectorswithinthelivestock

industry,largelysupportedbythe MinistryofAgriculturethroughthe GuyanaLivestockDevelopment Authority(GLDA).

Aspartofanationalstrategy tostrengthenfoodsecurity,reduce poultryimportsandpromoteyouth andwomen’semployment,thesectorhasexpandedrapidly,creating newopportunitiesforsmall-scale producerstoparticipateincommercialagriculture.

Attheheartofthisgrowthisthe Muscovyduck,prizedlocallyforits lean,lessfattymeat.Throughtechnicaltraining,extensionservices andtheimportationofhigh-qualitybreedingstock,theGLDAhas workedtoimprovelocalproduction capacityandstrengthengenetics, enablingfarmerstomeetgrowing domesticdemand.

Devika’sjourneyintoduckrearingbeganmodestlysome24years ago,shortlyafterhermarriageto HaseebHusain.

“Whenwestartedtorearducks, wehadexactly12,andwehadsome more,butwestoppedandresumed withadifferentconcept,thatis, duckbreedinginstead,andthatis whatwearestilldoingforaliving,” sherecalled.

Fromthesehumblebeginnings, thecouple’senterprisehasgrown steadily,reflectingbothpersistence andstrategicsupportfromgovernmentprogrammes.

GuavaBushliesclosetooneof thecountry’slargestsugar-producingestates,theAlbionSugarEstate, whereHusaincontinuestoworkas aplanterdespitethemechanisation ofsugarproductionovertheyears.

Beyondhisfull-timeemploy-

KalawattieMangalposeswithherduckeggs,whichshe pickedupfromherpens

ment,heprovidescriticalsupport forDevika’sduckbreedingoperation,assistingwithdailymanagementandencouragingherentrepreneurialgrowth.

“Hehelpsmealot,andIam thankful.Heishappytosupportmy businessandencouragesothersto dothesame,”shesaid.Initially,the TURNTOPAGEVII

Faith,serviceand generationsofbelief

ofunityandequality,shapingcommunitylifeinGuyana

ByShaniyaHarding

INaworldoftendividedbyrace, promotesasimplebutpowerful idea:theonenessofhumanity.Es-

JenniferDewarhasbeenapart fivedecades.Inaninterviewwith thePepperpotMagazinethisweek, Dewarexplainedthatthefaith,like manyothers,aimstounitehumanity

personwhoseteachingswillenable humanitytobuildanewworld.”

in1844inPersia,nowIran.Thisis whenthefaithrecountstheBáb’s declaration,inwhichheannounced

waslaterexiledtoBaghdad,Constantinople,andAdrianople,and eventuallyimprisonedinAcre,now inpresent-dayIsrael.

Bahá’u’lláhappointedhiseldest son,‘Abdu’l-Bahá,ashissuccessor

electaLocalSpiritualAssembly, whichconsultsontheaffairsofthe community.Attheinternational level,thereistheUniversalHouse ofJustice,whichsitsinHaifaandis electedeveryfiveyears.

formorethan50years

tablishedinGuyanainthe1950s, thesmallbutactivereligiouscommunityemphasisesunity,service andtheequalityofwomenand men,principlesthatmemberssay remaincentraltoitsgrowthand relevancetoday.

Long-timebelieverJennifer LouisaMancey-Rooplallsaythat fromitsearliestteachingstoits moderncommunitywork,women haveplayedakeyroleinshaping thefaith’spresencebothglobally andlocally.

JenniferDewarandLouisaMancey-Rooplallshare serviceshapingcommunitylifeinGuyana (SamuelMaughnphotos) continuesafamilytraditionofservice andcommunitywork.

throughtheteachingsofitsprophet. Sharinginsightintothefaith’score isaworldreligionwhosepurpose thefollowersofBahá’u’lláh,who webelieveisthepromisedoneof allages.

Thetraditionsofalmostevery religionincludeapromiseofa futurewhenpeaceandharmony willbeestablishedonearth,and humankindwillliveinprosperity. Webelievethatthepromisedtime hascomeandthatBahá’u’lláhisthe

thathewastheheraldofagreater divinemessengerwhowouldfollow thatGodsenttwinmanifestations, divinemessengersorprophets,the BábandBahá’u’lláh.

TheBáb’sministrylastedjust sixshortyearsbeforehewasimprisonedandexecuted.Immediately afterhismartyrdom,about20,000 ofhisfollowerswereputtodeath. Bahá’u’lláhwasalsoimprisoned, anditwasthere,intheBlackPit prison,thathereceivedtherevelationofhismissionin1853.He

andtheauthorisedinterpreterofthe writings.Thispreventedtheemergenceofsectsandschisms,whichis When‘Abdu’l-Bahápassedawayin 1921,heappointedhisgrandsonas

Duringhisministry,hehelped establishtheadministrativeframelocalandnationalspiritualassemblies.Thefaithisadministeredby electedbodiesofninepeople.In everycityortownwherethereare

Whilethefaithhasdeeproots acrossvariouspartsoftheworld,it reachedtheshoresofGuyanaonly inthe1950s.AsDewarexplained, thefaithhadeventuallyspreadto 128countries.Itwasinresponseto thisthatDrMalcolmKing,aJamaicanwhohadstudiedandpractised intheUnitedStates,cametothen BritishGuianainOctober1953.

“Thefirsttwobelieversin Georgetowndeclaredtheirbeliefin Bahá’u’lláhinJuly1954.Soonafter that,thefirstLocalSpiritual TURNTOPAGEXVII

NewGCUPresidentpromisestoleadwith compassion,opennessandpurpose

Toronto.

Somwaru,whoisalsoacommunityleader,wasborninthe MahaiconyRiver,EastCoastDemerara,andcametoCanadainthe mid-1980s.Shemanagedtowork full-timewhileremainingcommittedtofurtheringhereducationand professionaldevelopment.

Forovertwodecades,Nadira builtanimpressivecareerasa businessdevelopmentmanager, workingacrossNorthAmerica, EuropeandAsia.Herinternational experiencestrengthenedherexpertiseinstrategicgrowth,relationship-buildingandleadership.

Today,Nadiraistheproud ownerofasuccessfulrealestate business,whereshecontinuesto demonstrateherentrepreneurial spirit,dedicationandcommitment toexcellence.Alongsideherprofessionalachievements,Nadira raisedthreedaughters,balancing careerandmotherhoodwithdeterminationandgrace.

Sheisdeeplypassionateabout diversity,communityengagement andvolunteerism.Nadiraactively supportsvariousorganisationsand isespeciallycommittedtohelping lessfortunatepeople,believing stronglyingivingbackandupliftingothers.

WhenJanetNaidu,thefounder ofGCU,approachedhertocreate theorganisation,sheimmediately sawtheneedforfosteringsocial

engagementamongGuyaneseCanadiansinCanada.

TheGCUisanon-political organisationwithitsaimsandobjectivesunderabroadumbrellaof helpingtopreserveandfosterthe principlesofhumanrights,equalityandunityinthecommunity.

WithNaidu’sbackgroundin equity,diversityandinclusion intheworkplace,andSomwaru’sprofessionalbackgroundand dedicationtocommunityservice andvolunteerism,theywereboth insyncwiththeformationofthe GCUorganisation,knowingthatit hadthepotentialtodevelopmany differentprojectsunderitsumbrellaofcommunityengagementand support.

Theyalsosharetheviewthat itwasimportanttoworktowards theseobjectivesaslong-standing communityvalues.

TheGCUhassincecreated someofitsguidingprinciples,such asaStatementofHumanRights,a StatementofEqualityandaStatementonPreservingCulturalHeritage,allalignedwiththeorganisation’saimsandobjectives.While manyoftheseprinciplesareideal andmaybechallenging,theGCU recognisestheyareongoingvalues toadvocateforinthecommunity.

Theorganisationpromotes thesestandingprinciplesinits work.Italsoaimstofostersocialengagementandheritage

preservationwithintheGuyanese Canadiancommunity,particularly asGuyaneseimmigrantsandthe nextgenerationofGuyaneseheritagecontinuetofindvalueintheir culturalroots.

In2023,GCUinitiatedaprojecttosupportGuyana’sprogress inthesocialservicessector.It providedvoluntaryservicesto twochildren’shomesinGuyana andfacilitatedasix-weekgroup counsellingworkshopdeliveredby avolunteercertifiedtherapistfrom Canada,conductedoveravirtual platform.

Overthepastfouryears,the GCUhasheldseveralmeaningful webinarscoveringvarioussubjects,includingspecialisedtopics onmentalhealth,allaimedat bringingvaluableinformationto thecommunity.Theorganisationis stillinitsinfancyandhasopportunitiestogrow.

Atthelaunchoftheorganisationin2022,Naidustated:

“…eventhoughwehaveleft theshoresofourbirthcountry,as GuyaneseCanadians,wecontinue tocometogetherasacommunity. WenotonlygathertoenjoyeverythingGuyanese,butwealso havethatgiving-backspiritdeeplyrootedinus.Weformedthis organisationtocontinuetofoster similarsocialengagementinour community.WecontinuetobepatrioticGuyaneselivinginCanada

“GivetoGain”

couplefocusedonraising ducksformeat,butover time,Devikatransitionedto breeding,amovethatelevatedherrolewithinthepoultry valuechain.

Today,herfarmhouses roughly2,000FrenchMuscovyduckbreedingbirds inthreemeticulouslymaintainedpensbehindherhome.

Thistransformationhas allowedhertosupplyfertile eggsandducklingstofarmersacrossRegionSix,contributingtotheresurgenceof duckproductioninBerbice.

Centraltohersuccesshas beentheGLDA’sconsistent technicalsupport.Fieldofficersregularlyvisitherfarm toofferguidanceonbreeding management,biosecurityand husbandrypractices.Devika specificallyacknowledges theroleofGLDAveterinarianDrSusanFarley.

“ImustthankGLDAemployeesbecausetheywould visitthefarm,answermy

questionsandgivemeguidancewhenneededtoboost productivityandassistme withpaperworkandbest practicesallthetime,”she said.

Biosecuritymeasures anddisciplinedfarmmanagementarepivotaltoher operation.

Theduckpensare cleaneddailybefore08:00 hours,anddetailedrecords aremeticulouslymaintained tomonitoreggproduction, fertilityandflockperformance,ensuringtraceability andthequalityoftheducklingsshesells.

Acriticalelementofher operationisaccesstothe GLDAHatcheryDepartment’sspecialisedincubation services.Eachweek,Devika collects,marksandsanitises hereggsbeforetransporting themtoMonRepos,where theyarefumigatedandincubated.

Thehatcheryoffersser-

asCanadians.Weareproudofthe diversityofourheritage.”

AsNadiraSomwarutakeson theleadershiproleoftheGCU, withNaidualsoservingonthe boardasthesecondvice-presidenttoprovidesupport,Nadira expressedappreciationforthe confidencethemembersshowed inunanimouslyelectingherto leadtheorganisationforward.In heracceptancespeech,shestated:

“Iwanttothanktheboard,our members,andespeciallyJanet Naidu,wholaidthefoundationof thisorganisation.Yourcommitmenthascreatedaspacewhere GuyaneseCanadianscanfeelseen, supportedandconnected.Iam steppingintothisrolebecauseof theworkyouhavealreadydone.

“AsPresident,Ipromisetolead withcompassion,opennessand purpose.Iwilllisten.Iwillcollaborate.AndIwillworktoensure GCUremainsaplaceofinclusion, supportandprogress.Myvisionis forGCUtobeabridge—connectingandstrengtheningcommunity bonds,whilealsocreatingopportunitiesforgrowthandservice hereinCanadaandespeciallyfor theworkwehavealreadydonein Guyana.

“Wehavesomuchtobeproud ofasGuyaneseCanadians.Our strengthisinourpeople,ourcultureandourwillingnesstohelp oneanother.Together,wecancon-

vicesatasubsidisedcost, providingaccesstostate-ofthe-artincubationtechnology whilekeepingducklings affordableforsmall-scale farmers.

Lookingahead,thegovernment’splanstoconstruct modernincubationand hatcheryfacilitiesinRegions TwoandSixduring2026are welcomedevelopments.

ForDevika,theRegion SixfacilityundertheadministrationofPresidentIrfaan AliandthePeople’sProgressiveParty/Civicgovernment representsamajorboost.

“Havingahatcherycloser tohomewillreducetravel timeandcosts,anditwill encouragemorewomen, especiallysinglemothers,to enterduckrearingasasource ofincome,”shesaid.

Infrastructureimprovementshavealreadyeased operationalchallenges.

tinuetobuildacommunityrooted inunity,guidedbyempathyand drivenbyhope.

“Thankyouforbelievingin me.Thankyouforbelievingin GCU.Iamexcitedforthejourney aheadandhonouredtowalkitwith allofyou.Maywecontinueto standtogether,upliftoneanother andmoveforwardunited.”

Membersoftheorganisation, includingthosewhoservedon thefirstboard,haveexpressed congratulationstoSomwarufor beingelectedpresident.ThecurrentboardcomprisesNadiraSomwaru,President;FawziWahab, FirstVice-President;JanetNaidu, SecondVice-President;Zarena Parmeshwar,Secretary;Raymond Mahadeo,Treasurer;RickBalram, MembershipSecretary;andPatrickDavid,AssistantSecretary/ Treasurer.

Theorganisationalsorecognisesmemberswhoservedonpreviousboards,includingTerrance Charles,FrederickHalley,Suresh Dookhie,GaitreeRoshan,Roslyn Bacchus,JitoNaraineandMichael Bacchus.

Together,theyhavecontributedtothedevelopmentofthe organisation,remainingcommittedtotheworkrequiredandassistingwiththehostingofsocial events,participatinginvirtual webinarsandcontributingideas forcontinuousengagement.

Oneofthethreeduckpensonthefarm FROM PAGE V

TheopeningoftheBerbiceRiverBridgeandthe subsequentremovaloftolls havesignificantlyreduced transportationcosts,making iteasierforhertodeliver eggsandducklingsacross regions.

Devika’sjourneyfrom amodestflockoftwelve duckstoalarge-scalebreedingoperationillustratesthe transformativepowerofsupport,knowledgeandfamily partnership.

“Asawoman,amother, Ihavemyownbusiness whichtakesupalotof mytime,butIdon’tmind becausethisismydaily breadanditputsmoney inmypockets,andhaving myownmoneyisveryencouragingandempoweringatthesametime,”she reflected.

ANartistcanconstruct awholenewworldwith thetipofherpaintbrush. Shecanbreathenewlife intoeachcolour.Shecan changethedarkesthues intosymbolsofhopeand joy.Shecantransformthe dullestshadesintocaptivatingpointsofintrigue. Shecanevendampenthe salienceofthebrightercolourssothattheybecome partofanobscureand unnoticeablebackground.

Totheartist,theworldis notjustwhatsheperceives ittobe;itiswhatshechoosesitshouldbe.Shecantake controloftheseemingly uncontrollablechaosby

changingthemeaningthat liesbehindeachsymbolin herpainting.Asshedoes so,shealleviatesthepain inflicteduponherbythe unpredictableelementsin herownlife.

Theideaofchangingthe meaningsbehindage-old symbolsisrathereccentric. Afterall,howcanthecolour blackrepresentanythingbut sadnessanddarkness?How canyellowororangerepresentanythingbutjoyor hope?Howcanpinkorred representanythingbutlove?

Theverythoughtseems paradoxical.Yetaccepting thesestrangeideasmightbe thekeytoleadingafulfill-

ingandpeacefullife.

Inaway,ourlivesare picturesthatwebeginto createfromthemomentwe takeourfirstbreaths.Our choicesarelikethestrokes ofabrush.

Althoughtheremaybe unpredictablesplattersof paintorirreversibleerrors, weareultimatelyresponsibleforthefinalpicturewe create.

Aswegraduallycreate thispainting,ouremotions becomethecoloursthat serveasavesselforwhat ourlivesturnouttobe. Whetherwerealiseitornot, everythoughtwehaveand everyactionboilsdownto

onething—whattheymake usfeel.

Thentheemotionsthat areprecipitatedbyone thoughtoractionwillgoon topowerthenextones.

Inthismanner,ouremotionscontrolourlives.We makethechoicesthatwe makebecauseouremotions makeusfeelacertainway. Upondiscoveringthisfact, manybegintobelievethat theonlywaytocontroltheir livesistosuppresstheir emotionsandmakedecisionssolelythroughrational reasoning.

This,however,isnota realsolution.Itwillonly leadtoanempty,unfulfilled lifeorasuddenimplosion createdbythepainfulpressureofsuppressedfeelings. Wecannotsimply‘turnoff’ ourfeelingstostopthem fromnegativelyimpacting ourlives,butwecangive themnewmeanings.

Askilfulartistcan changetheseeminglyintrinsicnatureofacolour byallowingittoevokea paradoxicalemotionfrom itsviewer.Similarly,wecan changehoweachemotion affectsusbytransforming thethingsweassociatewith it. Wheneverwefeelhurt orsad,wecanchooseto seethefeelingsastransient growingpainsratherthan anacheelicitedbyloss. Whenwefeeldisappointment,wecanchoosenotto lingerontheprickofemptinessbutratheronthenew spacethathasbeenopened upforustofill.Evenanger canbeusedasfueltocreate andachieveratherthanasa weapontohurt. Wedonothavethepowertocontrolthethingsthat evokeemotionsfromwithin us.Infact,wedonoteven havethepowerortheright

tosuppressouremotions, astheyarewhatmakeus human.Whatwecando isdecidehowweallow ouremotionstoaffectus, andmoreimportantly,what wechoosetodoandthink whenwefeeleachemotion. Itiseasytofeeloutof controlwhenwefeelemotionslikeanger,sadness anddisappointment,but weneverfullylosecontrol ofourlives,evenwhenit seemslikewehave. Evenwhenweare standingattheedgeofa clifforatthebottomof adeeppit,wecanalways pullourselvesbacktothe placewherewearemeant tobe.Thereisalways somethingelsewecantry togettothedestination wehopetoreach.Allit takesisgivingouremotionsanewmeaningand ourheartsanewreason tohope.

WINNINGYOUR NEXTINTERVIEW

EXPERIENCEDinterviewerGearyReidrevealshow jobhunterscanmarket themselvesasidealcandidatesandhowemployers canattractoutstandingemployees.

Jobhuntersknowthey needtodoeverythingintheir powertodemonstratetheir valuetopotentialemployers, andemployersknowhowimportantitistoattracttheright employeesforabusiness’s success.

Armedwithdecadesof humanresourcesexperience, GearyReidoutlinesthebest waysforjobhunterstoprepareforandcommandan interview.Additionally,he discussesstrategiesemployerscanusetobringinthe mostcapablejobcandidates. Learnaboutbothsidesof thehiringprocessandgaina betterunderstandingofhow tosucceedinthejobmarket.

Section1:The Organisation Organisationsthatrecruit qualityapplicantsusually investtimeandmoneyand useinnovative,strategicproceduresintheirrecruitment andselectionprocesses.The recruitmentprocessmayrequiremanagementtoassess itsorganisationalstructure, reviewitsremunerationpackageandconductajobanalysisonthevacantpositions beforetheyareadvertised.

Thisliteratureexamines thekeyresponsibilitiesand dutiesoftheorganisation duringtherecruitmentand selectionprocess.

Advertising Advertisementsforavacantpositionmaybeconductedinternally,externally, oracombinationofboth. Regardlessoftheoptionchosen,organisationshaveto dealwiththeadvantagesand disadvantagesofeach.For instance,internaladvertising ofavacantpositionallows organisationstorecruitper-

sonswhoarefamiliarwithits operations,proceduresand structure.However,those personsmaynothavethe requisitequalifications,experienceorprofessionalism forthevacantposition.Thus, organisationsmayhaveto advertiseexternallytoattract awiderrangeofqualified candidatesforskilledortechnicalpositions.

RemunerationandCompensation

Remunerationandcompensationareessentialelementsofanorganisation’s recruitmentprocess.Management(sometimesthedirectors)oftheorganisation mustdesignandestablishthe remunerationpackageand scaleforeverylevelofemployment.Duringthedesign process,themanagement teammustdefineacompensationrange,fromminimum tomaximum.Thecreationof therangemustbebasedon experience,academicsand technicalskills.

Oncethedesignprocess iscompleted,themanagementteammustestablishand implementtheremuneration andcompensationpackage. Duringthisprocess,keypersonnelmustbeprivytothis information,particularlyhumanresourcespersonneland othermembersoftheinterviewpanel.

Short-listing

Theprocessrequiresthe organisationtoanalyseapplicationsagainstthejob descriptionandcreateanunbiased,non-prejudiciallistof candidatestobeinterviewed fortheposition.Thiscanbea challengefortheorganisation becausesomeapplicantsmay havetherelevantacademic qualificationsbutlackthe requiredyearsofexperience, whileothersmayhavetheexperiencebutlacktherequired academicqualifications.The organisationcanpreventthe lattersituationbyincluding

aclearlydefinedjobdescriptioninitsadvertisement.

Negotiation

Thecompensationtobe offeredmustbeabletoattract,captureandretainthe bestpossibleapplicant.Both theinterviewerandtheintervieweemayneedtonegotiatethecompensation.Some candidatesarenotgoodat negotiatingandmayhaveto startfromthebottomofthe compensationrange.Managementmustnotdiscriminate inthecompensationoffered todifferentemployees.Most organisationshaveasalary policyandmayhavetostay withinit,sinceothersmaybe insimilarposts.

Contactingthe

Short-listedPersons

Contactingtheshortlisted applicantsisthesimplestbut equallyimportantpartofthe recruitmentandselectionprocess.Theorganisationmust ensurethattheapplicantsare givenadequatenoticeabout theinterviewand,ifpossible, directionstotheorganisation.

Theapplicantmustbe informedofthedateandtime oftheinterviewandofthe requireddocumentstobring totheinterview.Ininstances wheretheapplicantcannotbe reachedbytelephone,their emailaddress(ifprovided) andothercommunication methodsmustbeutilised.If theapplicanthastoparticipateinatest,thatinformation mustalsobecommunicated inadvance.Moreover,the organisationmayhaveto contacttheapplicantafterthe interviewtocommunicateits decision.

Section2:Individual Effort

Apersonwhowantsto succeedinaninterviewhasa lotofworktodo.Employers willnotcallyouifyouarenot ready.Thepersonwhoneeds thejobshouldtrytomeetthe employer’srequirements,

asthatistheleasttheycan do.Theyshouldunderstand thebasicsofinterviewsvery early.

Onewaytomeetthe employer’srequirement isthroughacademicpursuit.Youmustspendtime learning.Youdonothaveto studytobecomeaprofessor, butyoumustincreaseyour knowledgeinthefieldyou wanttoworkin.

Sometimespeopleneedto studydifferentareastomake themselvesmarketable,especiallyifmanyothershavethe sameacademicbackground. Studyingadifferentareacan giveyouanadvantage.

Someprofessionalareas needspecialists.Yourexperiencewithonemajortask maymakeyouacandidatefor employment.However,with somanychangesunderway, organisationsarenowseekingmulti-skilledindividuals. Therefore,youwillhaveto seekadditionalskillstogain importantemploymentopportunities.

Thismayrequirechangingpositionswithinthesame organisationorassistingother personsinthesameorganisationtogainadditionalskills. Ifthosedonotwork,then

youmayhavetochangeorganisationstogainadditional skills,whichwillallowyouto obtainthemajoremployment opportunityyouwant.

Whenyourapplication, curriculumvitaeandrésumé areprofessionallyprepared, theywillcapturetheattention ofthosewhoreceivethem. Therefore,takesometimeto properlyprepareyourdocuments.

Manypeoplehavethe rightskillsandacademic background,butbecause ofthepoorpresentationof theirdocuments,theyarenot short-listedorinterviewed.

Whensendingyourdocumentsforavacancy,ensure thatkeyareasareproperly addressed,suchasyouracademicbackground,experience,corecompetencies,employmenthistory,andmore. Yourtelephonenumbermust alsobeproperlyindicated, especiallyifyouareseeking overseasemployment.

Mostemployerswillcall youtoinviteyoutotheinterview.Yourpostaladdress mustalsobeprofessionally displayed.Onceyouaresuccessfulattheinterview,the employmentcontractand offerlettermaybepostedto

yourmailingaddress. Provideyourreferencesin awaythatmakesiteasyfor employerstocontactthem. Yourreferencesmayhavean impactonwhetheryouare shortlisted.

Decidewhoyouwillincludeasyourreferencesand howmanyyoushouldprovide.Beforeincludingsomeoneasareference,ensure youhaveup-to-dateinformationaboutthemandconfirm whethertheyarewillingto havetheirnameincludedin yourdocumentforaparticularorganisation.

Overall,youremployment successdependsonyour preparation.Youracademic background,experience,and documentationshouldspeak volumesaboutyou,andsoon youwillbeearningmuch morethanyoudidafew yearsago.

Formoreinformation aboutGearyReidandhis books,pleaseusethecontactinformationbelow: Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/author/gearyreid, Website:www.reidnlearn. com,Facebook:Reidn Learn,Email:info@reidnlearn.com,Mobile#:592645-2240.

DOESTHEREALITYOFTHEDISCOURSE THATPLUNGESONTOTHECRUDEESSENCE OFITSSUBJECTNATURE,NOTWORTHY OFREVISITING?...ITSHOULDBE!

WHENIservedonthepast ERCrepresentingAfro-Guyanese,Iengagedanothermemberwhorepresentedanother group,andbeyondourdifferencesoforientation,we articulatedtworealities.Most citizens,giventhehigh-layer naysayersaroundus,didnot findourdiscussionsignificant enough;thiswaspuzzlingto me.

Howcouldsuchfolknot comprehendthatwewerereferringtoideasandthepageantryof thousandsofyearspastthatwere reworkedinnumerousways,had

inspiredsomanyroyalsacross time,andhaltedsomanywars?

Itwasobvioustobothofusthat Guyana’spopularstorytellers, inweavingtruths,havealso demonstratedtheshamefulness ofthedoubleriftofstrife.

Ourdiscussion,onmybehalf,followedaproposalIhad madeatthefirstmeetingofthe thenCommission,whichwas notraisedagainuntilmuchlater.

Ofthe“then”Inowreferto,I wasconfusedthat,oversomany yearsthathadpassed,onlyafew whoheldthestaffofauthority understoodtheinfinityofour

commonconversationthatday intheERCofnotsolongago. Onlyayoungmemberofthe private-sectorcommission,a guestoftheERC,openlyagreed withourpresentdebate…and yes,Iwasastonishedthatonly thismemberhadfoundkinship withourpresentationofthe discussion.However,slowly, inprivacy,wehadtoexplain whereweweregoingwiththis, andwhy!

Thetruthisthattheartsare aneconomicrealm,noteasily attainable,butwiththeright minds,canbridgeriversandnot

bedevouredbythelurkingtrolls withsmilesandrazor-sharp fangs…thatpretendtobebridge keeperswithgoodintentions…

Managing“thecreatorrealms asindustry”mustbelikeany enterprisethatrequirespractitionersandseasonedproducers inanyfieldofcreativity.We havelostmany.

EvenasIscriptthisarticle,I holdgriefformyfriendRupert Roopnarine,anartist-filmmaker. Evenaswelose,wemustcontemplatethatwemustreplace andholdrespectforthosewho stillremainandareemerging.

ThatsubmissionatthefirstERC meetingbackthenisevenmore relevanttoday. Westandontheshoulders ofmanywhohaveshaped whatwehaveasarichculturalexpressioninsomany years;ourtaskistohonour andtakefurthertherichculturalheritage—thosewhoare withusandthosewhohave leftoursphere.Mycolleague andIattheERCbothagreed thatthereisaneedforpractitionersinanyfieldinvolved toachievethebestresultsand minds.

GreenGrabbing:Whensavingthe planetcomesatahumancost

INtherealmofenvironmentalscience,conservationandsustainability, thereseemstobeaunanimousagreementthatenvironmentalprotectionis afundamentalpriorityfor thefutureofourplanet.In fact,therearesometimes noopposingsideswhen theconversationsurfaces.

Whywouldanyonein theirrightmindwantto opposetheprotectionof ourbiodiversity,saving ourforests,theadvocacy ofrenewableenergyand combatingclimatechange?

Climatechangeisactuallyviewedasa“securitythreat”tomanynation-states.Yetbehinddiplomaticforums,advanced conservationvocabulary andwallsofpower,there isaseriousandgrowing concernknownas“green grabbing”.Iinitiallycame acrossthisconceptinarecentclassroomdiscussion whereaprofessorpointed outanoverlookedaspectof conservationandprotection. Itistheappropriationof landandnaturalresources inthenameofenvironmentalprotection,oftenatthe expenseoflocalandIndigenouscommunities.

Therearereportedinstancesofgovernmentbodies,localactors,andinternationalorganisationsand corporationsdeveloping certainspacesandlabelling themas“conservation”. Unfortunately,intheseinstances,thereislittleto noFree,Prior,Informed Consent(FPIC)orconsultationamongIndigenous communitieswhenlands arelabelledfor“greendevelopment”.

Infact,alackofconsultationanddiscussionamong Indigenouspeoplesgoes againstinternationalguidelinesandconventionssuch asthoseoftheInternational

LabourOrganization.Forestsaresuddenlyrebranded ascarbonsinks,ancestral landsareturnedintoprotectedareas,andlivelihoods thathavesustainedcommunitiesforgenerations arecriminalised—allwhile communitiesaretolditis forthegreaterglobalgood.

Thereisalsotheissueof traditionalpracticesbeing disrupted.Centuries-long practicessuchasfishing andfarmingwithinthese communitiescanbeseverelyaffectedwhentheseareas arerelabelledas“green spaces”.Thisalsoaffects culturalwaysoflifeand socialorder.Thereisamisconceptionthatforestsare “untouched”places.This isnottrue.Humanbeings havealwaysinteractedwith andlivedwithinforested regions.

Whatisoftenmisunderstoodisthesustainability ofthoseinteractions.Many Indigenouscommunities haveprotectedourforests, andthisiswhymuchofour treecover,soilhealth,and landfertilityremainintact. Thereisalsotheissueof powerimbalanceduring greengrabbing.Whileconservationinitiativescan protectecosystems,they canalsocreatestructures determiningwhohasaccess tolandandresources—and whodoesnot.

Thereisalsoatendency tovalueforestsfortheir carboncreditsratherthan forthepeoplewholive inandbenefitfromthem. Climatefinanceisanimportantaspectofdevelopmentprojects,butitalso raisescriticalquestions: Whoownstheforest?Who decideshowitisused?And whobenefitswhennatureis monetised?

Importantly,thisisnot anargumentagainstenvironmentalprotection.Cli-

matechangeisreal,urgent anddevastating—especiallyforvulnerablecommunities.Butclimateaction thatignoressocialjustice isnottruesustainability. Protectingnatureshould notmeanerasingpeople. Conservationmodelsthat excludecommunitiestend tofailinthelongterm, breedingresistance,conflict andmistrust.

Astheworldracesto meetclimatetargets,we mustaskuncomfortable questionsabouthowthose targetsareachieved.Ifsavingtheplanetrequiressacrificingtherightsanddignity ofthemostmarginalised, thenwearesolvingone crisisbydeepeninganother. Greensolutionsshould heal—notdispossess.Climatejusticedemands nothingless.

MissedConnections: AReviewofAHouse forMsPaulineby DianaMcCaulay

DIANAMcCaulay’simpressivenewnovel,AHouse forMsPauline(Algonquin, $29.00),isawonderfully entertainingbook—funny,sad,andbeautifulall atonce.McCaulaywrites withalithe,knowingskill, creatingcharacterswhoare psychologicallyacute,believable,andrichlyrealised Caribbeanarchetypes.The resultisanovelthatisboth poignantandprescient.

AtitscentreisMsPaulineSt.Clair,ninety-nine yearsoldandnearingtheend ofaverylonglife.Shelives inMasonHall,aruralvillage inJamaica,wheremostofthe peopleshegrewupwithare nowdeadorgone.MsPauline—assheinsistsonbeing called—isa“facety”woman: strong,vibrant,andintolerant ofperceivedslights.

Onceasuccessfulganja farmer,sheisthemotherof twogrownchildren—ason whohasdiedandadaughterlivinginNewYorkwith early-onsetdementia—and agrandmothertoonegranddaughter.

Shelivesaloneinthe stonehouseshebuiltwith her“baby-father,”Clive,who haslongsincedied.Never married,MsPaulinechose thatlifedeliberately.

Sherecallsalineageof unforgettableCaribbeanheroines:MaryMathilda,the stalwartseptuagenarianof AustinClarke’sThePolishedHoe,andMarie-Sophie LaborieuxofPatrickChamoiseau’sTexaco.

Likethosenovels,A HouseforMsPaulinebelongstoatraditionofhistoricalCaribbeanfictioncentred onolderwomenwhohave enduredthedegradationsof colonialismandlivedlong enoughtoclaimagencyand speakplainlyaboutit.

Thesewomenareuniquelypositionedtorecountthe

colonialandpostcolonial experience—theywereborn intoit,survivedit,andnow testifytoit.Centraltoall threenovelsisthewomen’sprofoundattachment toland—“wheretheirnavel stringswereburied.”

ForMsPauline,thatattachmentisembodiedinthe housesheandClivebuilton landtheyhavenolegaltitle to,ahousenowthreatened withremoval.Defendingit ignitesherfinalgreatbattle. Sometimesloving,sometimesabrasive,MsPauline isamagnificentcreation—a characterofdepth,humour, andsubstance,withthegravitasofarealCaribbeangreatauntorgrandmother.Her “facety”nature,inJamaican patois,signalsablunt,tellit-like-it-isinsouciancethat allowsforanunvarnished distillationoflivedexperience.Thedetailsringtrue.

WhenMaryMathilda recountshersexualabuseby awhiteplanterinThePolishedHoe,andMsPauline describesbeingmolestedby herteacher,thecontinuityof women’svulnerabilitywithin colonialsocietiesbecomes starklyapparent.

YetMsPaulineisnofigureofresigneddespair.When sheisabusedbythesame teacherwhorapesherfriend, sherespondswithamemorable,self-affirmingtoughness—anassertionofagency thatmakesherindelible.

MsPaulinehaslivedher entirelifeintheplaceofher birth.Atninety-nine,she sensestheendapproaching andjudgesherlifefull.She lovedwell,raisedherchildren,andbuiltherhome fromtheruinsofanoldplantationmansiononlandonce workedbyherenslavedforeparents.

Thenovelmovesfluidly backandforthacrossher longlife—throughnatural

disasters,hunger,childbirth, love,andloss,including thedeathofClive.Herfinal challengecomesintheform ofthe“Backra”—thepatois termforwhitepeople—specificallyTurnerBuchanan,whoarriveswithpapers claimingownershipofher land.MsPauline’sfierce response,rootedinself-preservationanddevotiontoher home,becomesthemoral centreofthenovel.

Whenthestonesofher housebegintospeak,Ms Paulineunderstandsthatshe mustmakepeacewithherself andwithothers.Shereaches outtohergranddaughter, Justine,andtoalocalboy, Lamont,forhelpnavigating theinternet,andevenextendsherselftowardsTurner Buchanan’schildren.These gesturesdeepenthenovel’s meditationoninheritance, connection,andreckoning.

AHouseforMsPauline isafineandresonantnovel— anexplorationofcolonial injusticeanditslingering consequences,offilialbonds thatunsettleandendure.Like TexacoandThePolished Hoe,itenshrinesaCaribbean worldthatfeelsfullyinhabited,alivewithpsychologicallyrichcharacters.McCaulay writesbeautifullyaboutlove andfriendship;thelovestorybetweenMsPaulineand Cliveissubtleanddeeply affecting.Herevocationof thenaturalworldisvivid andexact.

Theproseitselfislyrical,shapedbytheinner musicofpatois.Thenovel moveswiththerhythm ofareggaesong—downbeatandupbeat,marking therisesandfallsofMs Pauline’slife.Timepasses seamlessly,thenarrative flowingforwardwithconfidenceandgrace,endingexactlyasMsPaulinewould haveit.

FINDINGLOVEFROMWITHINTHE BROKENPIECESOFTHEPASTPARTIV-THE CONCLUSION

AFEELINGofgloomhung overthebeautifulhouseas herangthedoorbell.

Thehousekeeperansweredwithasadlookon herface,andshesaidquietlybeforeAlvincouldask, “She’sinthegarden.”

Shewasstandingbythe waterfountain,staringat nothingness,andhestoodfor awhilewatchingherbefore quietlycallinghername, “Marissa.”

Sheturned,andheinhaleddeeplyuponseeingthe deepgriefonherfacebefore shebentherhead,tryingto fightbackthetears.Hehadto bestrong,eventhoughhetoo wasgrieving,becausemuch dependedonhimand,touchinghershoulders,hesaid comfortingly,“Youcancry.”

Shelookedathim,her

lipstrembling,andleaning herheadonhisshoulder,she cried,theshockofherloss andthesadnessflowingwith thetears.

Heputhisarmsaround heruntilhercryingsubsided, andtheysattheresilentlyfor awhileinthegarden.

“Didyouknowanything ofhisillness?”Alvinasked herafterheremotionshad calmeddownalittle.

Sheshookherhead.“No. Iknewhewasn’ttoowell becauseofthespecialdiethe hadtofollow,butIhadno ideaitwassoserious.”

“Maybehedidn’twant youtoworry.”

“Iknow,hewasalways socaring,butnowhe’sgone, whatdoIdo?”shestartedto cryagain.

Incomfortingher,Alvin

nowunderstoodwhy,inhis dream,hisfatherhadasked himtotakecareofher.

Theshockhadshaken hersomuchthatshedidn’t havethementalstrengthto dealwiththesuddentragedy.

Thehousekeepercalledto saythechildrenhadcome downstairs,andshedriedher tearsasshewalkeduptothe house.

Alvinwatched,alittle curious,assheembracedthe twoyoungboys.

“Mytwobrothers,”she toldhim.“They’reallthe familyIhave.”

“Nomotherandfather?”

Shesenttheboystothe playroombeforeanswering.

“Theydiedthesame nightmyeldestbrotherdid.”

“How?”heasked,concernaddedtocuriosity.

Adeep,sadlookcrossed herfaceassheanswered, “Murdered.”

Helookedshocked,not expectingtohearthat,andif hismindhadbeensearching forananswerwhyshemarriedamansomucholder thanher,heknewnowitwas forcomfortandsecurity.

Thehousephonerang beforehecouldsayanything, andthehousekeepersaidto Alvin,

“Peoplehavebeencalling sincelastnighttoextendtheir sympathies.Youmaywantto takecareofthisbecausethe mistressisquiteshaken.”

Alvincompliedand,after makingsureMarissawas resting,hetookimmediate controlofeverything,and inafewhours,allarrangementswereinplaceforhis

father’sfuneral.Thefamily didnotapproveofwhathe did,thinkingthatMarissa shouldbeleftonherown, butAlvintookastrongstance againsttheirobjections.

“Thisisnotthetimefor hatefulsentiments.It’sthe timetosupporteachother, andthefactremainsthatshe ishiswifewhohasbeensharinghislife,andIamhisson. Whyisitsowrongformeto helpher?”

Noonemadeanyfurther comments,andwithAlvin’s calmcomposureandhigh levelofresponsibility,all planswentsmoothlyatboth homesforfriendsandfamily toextendtheirsympathies untilthefinalday.

Itwasn’tadayAlvin wantedtoremember,notfor thegrief,sadnessanddeep

regrets.Threedaysafterthe funeral,hecouldstillhearthe soundsofMarissacryingand seethegriefonherface.

“Whatwouldshedo now?HowdoIlendhermy supportwithoutmyfamily’s objectionsandsocietyjudgingmebecauseshewasmy father’swife?”

Uncertainandconfused, heprayed,“Lord,ifthereis ananswer,pleasehelpme findit.”

Theanswercametwo dayslaterwhenthelawyer whohaddrawnuphisfather’swillcalledthefamily. Thedetailsspecifiedwhat hebequeathedtohisthree childrenandhissecondwife. Butwhatwasofmoreimportancewastheletterheleftfor AlvinTheletterstated,“Son, TURNTOPAGEXVI

FeartheWolf,Trust theShepherd

FeartheWolf,Trust theShepherd

AWISEpersononcesaid, “Thesheepwillspendits entirelifefearingthewolf, onlytobeeatenbythe shepherd.”

WhenIfirstreadthat line,Ilaughed.Itwasn’t funnyatall,justpainfully accurate.Thesheepwastes itsentireexistenceworrying abouttheobviousdanger

whilestandingcomfortably besidethefamiliarone. Humanbeingsdothis withimpressiveconsistency.Wefeartheloud threat.Wefearthevisible enemy,thedramaticdisaster,andbuildentireanxiety portfoliosaroundwolves. Meanwhile,wehandour trusttoshepherdswithout

readingthefineprint.The wolflooksdangerouswhile theshepherdlookssafe. Thatvisualdifferencedoes mostofthework.Thewolf growlswhiletheshepherd smiles.Thewolfstalksfrom adistancewhiletheshepherdwalksbesideyou.One carriesteeth,theothercarriesastaffandareassuring

tone.

Psychologically,this makessense.Accordingto DanielKahneman,human beingsrelyheavilyonmentalshortcutswhenassessingrisk.Wejudgedanger byappearance,familiarity, andnarrative.Ifsomething looksthreatening,weprepareforit;ifsomething looksprotective,werelax. Unfortunately,appearances donotalwaysalignwith outcomes.

Thesheepseesthewolf andactivatessurvivalmode. Thesheepseestheshepherd andactivatestrustmode. Thesheepneverquestion thesystembecauseitfeels structured,organised,and calm.Thisiswherethe metaphorstretchesbeyond livestock.

Inlife,thewolfoften representstheobvious threat.Thewolfcanbe criticism,rejection,failure, orcompetition.Webrace ourselvesforthosethings; werehearseargumentsin theshower;weimagine worst-casescenarios;and wepreparespeechesfor enemieswhomaynever showup.

Meanwhile,theshepherdcanrepresentauthority,comfort,routine,institutions,relationships,or evenourownunchecked assumptions.Theshepherd representswhatfeelsfamiliar.Weassumefamiliarity equalssafety.Itdoesnot.

AuthorRobertGreene haswrittenextensivelyaboutpowerdynamics andthesubtlewayscontroloperatesbehindthe scenes.Trueinfluencerarelyannouncesitselfloudly.It presentsitselfasguidance, asprotection,asnecessary. Thesheepdoesnotquestion theshepherdbecausethe

shepherdprovidesstructure.

Humanbeingsoften donotquestionsystems becausesystemsprovide stability,andstabilityfeels likesafety.However,safety withoutawarenessbecomes complacency.Thewolfneverhadtotryveryhard. Thesheepalreadyspentits energyworryingaboutthe wrongthing.

Thisdynamicplaysout everywhere.Peoplefear publicembarrassmentbut ignoreemotionalmanipulation.Peoplefearfailure buttoleratetoxicloyalty. Peoplefearstrangersbut blindlytrustfamiliardysfunction.Weobsessover dramaticvillainsandoverlookdrypatterns.

PsychologistPhilip Zimbardostudiedhowordinaryenvironmentscan influencebehaviourinpowerfulways.

Hisresearchdemonstratedthatcontextshapes actionmorethanweliketo admit.Whenwetrustarole, atitle,orauniform,weoftensuspendpersonaljudgement—liketheshepherd whowearsauthoritywhile thewolfwearswarning,so werespondaccordingly.

Thedeepermessage hereisnotparanoia.The messageisawareness.The sheepdoesnotneedtofear everything.Thesheepneeds discernment.Discernment asksquestions,examines patterns,andevaluatesactionsratherthanappearances.

Fear,ontheotherhand, exhaustsitselfontheobviousthreatandneglectsthe subtleone.Thereishumour inthisbecauseweallrecogniseourselvesinit.We worryaboutbeingjudged bypeoplewhobarelythink aboutus.Westressover

opinionsfromstrangers online.

Webraceforconfrontationthatneverarrives,but weignorehabitsthatquietly undermineus.Weignore relationshipsthatconsistentlydrainusandignore systemsthatbenefitfrom ourobedience.Wefearthe wolfofpublicfailure.We trusttheshepherdofquiet self-sabotage.

StoicphilosopherEpictetusemphasisedthattrue freedombeginswithunderstandingwhatiswithin ourcontrolandwhatis not.Fearoftenfocuseson externalforceswecannot fullymanage.

Awarenessfocuseson internaljudgement,boundaries,andchoices.The sheepcannoteliminate wolves,butitcandevelopawarenessoftheentire field.Awarenessdoesnot removerisk;itclarifiesit.

Thisquotealsospeaks tomisplacedanxiety.Many peoplespendyearsworryingaboutwhatmightattack them,whiletherealdamage comesfromwhattheyunquestioninglyfollow.This fearfeedsdistractionswhile complacencyinvitesthem.

Thesolutionisnotrebellionforitsownsake. Thesolutionisconscious trust—trustearnedthrough consistencyandtransparency,examinedratherthanassumed,andonethatallows questions.Therefore,there isnoneedtopanicabout wolves.Justobservethe shepherdsandthinkproperlyandquietly.Remember, thesheep’stragedyisnot innocence;itisunexamined trustcombinedwithmisplacedfear.

Humanbeingspossess somethingsheepdonot— TURNTOPAGEXVI

FeartheWolf, TrusttheShepherd

reflection,andreflection changesoutcomes.When youexaminewhatyoufear andwhatyoutrust,you reclaimbalance.

Whenyouredirectanxiety fromdramaticdistractions towardsmeaningfulevaluation,yougrowwiser. Thewolfmaystillexist. Theshepherdmaystill guide.

Thedifferenceliesin awareness,andawareness ispowerful.Belowispoetryforperspective.

TheField

Thesheeponcetrembledatthesound

Ofdistantpawsupon theground.

Itwatchedthehillswith anxiouseyes, Expectingteethfrom

darkenedskies.

Ittrustedhandsthatheld thestaff, Thatledwithcalm,that gentlylaughed. Itwalkedinlines,it grazedinrows, Securebeneathfamiliar prose.

Itfearedthewolfwith sharpenedcry, Prepareditselftorun ordie.

Itneverpausedtolook behind Atguidinghandsitdid notmind.

Thewolfwasloudin shapeandname, Theshepherdsubtlein hisclaim.

Oneshoweditshunger openly, Theothermaskedit patiently.

Thesheepgrewoldin watchfuldread Ofshadowsstretching overhead.

Itspentitsstrengthon distantfright, Onhowlingechoesin thenight.

Yetfatearrivedwithout achase, Insteadystep,intrusted face.

Nogrowlannounced whatcametobe, Noflashingfangforit tosee.

Andinthefieldwhere silencelay, Thelessonrosewithout delay.

Fearmisplacedwill blindtheview, Andtrustunchecked consumesyoutoo.

RomellaDasratt

FINDINGLOVEFROM WITHINTHEBROKEN...

IamsorryIdidnotplaythe roleofagreatfatherinyour life,butsometimeswefall shortofexpectations.The divorcethatbrokeourfamilywasbecauseIrefusedto acceptmyfaults,arrogance andselfishness.Irealiseda fewyearsafteryoulefthow wrongIhadbeen,butitwas toolateforreconciliation; myfamilyhadmovedaway fromme.Iwonderedeach daywhatIcoulddotomake upformymistakes,thenone tragicnight,myBrazilian businesspartneringold mining,hiswifeandeldest sonwereshotandkilledin theinterior.

Theirdeathsleftayoung daughterandtwolittlesons aloneintheworld.

WhatdoIdotohelp? Ibroughtthemtomy homeforsecurityandcomfortuntilthedaughtercould manageonherown,butthe worldisnotasafeplacefora younggirlwithoutfamily.I becameprotective,notwantinghertofallintothewrong handsthatcouldcauseharm toherandhertwobrothers. So,aftermuchthought,I arrangedwithhersothat societywouldbelievewe weremarried.Myreputation asafearless,no-nonsense manwaslikeaninvisible bodyguardforheranywhere shewent.

Son,itwasjustalegal arrangementsoshecouldbe secureandhavesomerights.

Iowedthattoherfatherand tomyselfbecauseIhadlost myownchildren.Ihadno intimaterelationshipwith her;shewaslikeadaughter tome.WhenIgotdiagnosed withcancer,Ididnottellher todrivefearintoherheart, butIwasthankfulshewas theretotakecareofme.

WhenIsawyouafter tenyears,Ifeltsoproud ofthekindofmanyouhad become,andIknewinmy heartyouweretheperfect oneforher.Ifyoucanlove herandshareyourlifewith her,thenIknowIwould havedonetheultimategood, andmysoulwillrestin peace.

–Dad”

Ashockingrevelation!

Hecouldn’tholdback thetears,andonlythendid hecryforthefatherhenevertrulyknew–amanwho turnedstonesofarrogance andselfishnessintogemsof kindnessandcompassion, andtheselflesssacrificehe madeforamurderedfriend’s children.

Alvinfoldedtheletter slowly,puttingitinhispocket,andhetookafewdeep breathstocomposehimself.

Thecomplexitiesoflife –hisfather’sdyingwishfor himtolovetheonehehad thoughtcouldnotbehis, theonehehadfalleninlove withthemomenthesawher.

Shewasaloneinthe livingroomofthebeautiful

housethatwasnowhers, andfromthepuffinessof hereyes,heknewshehadn’t yetstoppedcrying.Hetook theletterfromhispocket, openedit,andhandeditto her.

“Ijustreceivedthisfrom myfather’slawyer.”

Shelookedalittlescared, notsurewhatitwasabout, butwhenshelookedathim afterreadingit,freshtears welledinhereyes.

“Whydidn’tyoutell me?”heaskedherinaquiet tone.

“Wouldyouhavebelievedme?”

Heshookhishead.“I can’tbelievehechangedthat much.”

“Hewasagoodman,” shesaid,tearsnowstreamingdownherface.“Hetook goodcareofuswhenwelost ourparents.”

Alvinsatdownbeside herandwipedhertears. “Youhavetostopcrying.”

Sheleanedherheadon hisshoulder,andforawhile theysatthereinsilence. Thenheaskedher, “DoyoustillthinkI’m auniquepersonyouliked?”

Sheraisedherheadand lookedathim,asoftlight dancinginherhazeleyes. “Morethanever.”

Theyhadfoundlove fromwithinthebroken piecesofthepast,andnow anewlovestorywould begin.

Faith,serviceand...

Georgetownwaselected,” Dewarshared.

Dewar,whohasbeen apartofthefaithformore thanfiftyyears,saidsheonly joinedinhertwenties.The ideasofonenessandequality, shesaid,drewhertothefaith. Aftergivinguponreligionat just14,shestatedthat,“Later booksandlearnedaboutthe Báb.Inmytwenties,Ireflectedonmylifeandfeltithad becomesuperficial.Because Ialreadyhadknowledgeof thefaith,Iknewwhichdirectiontoturn.”

Thefaithhasmanycore values,withparticularfocus onequality,service,openness andprogressiverevelation. oneGodandonereligionthat unfoldsovertime,likechaptersinabook,withevery 600to1,000yearsbringing adivinemessengertoguide humanityaccordingtothe needsofthatage.While somecommontruthsremain, someofthefaith’ssocial teachingschangeovertime, asDewarshared,“Thereare eternaltruthsthatrepeat,like lovingyourneighbour,but thesocialteachingschange

dependingonwhatsociety needs,”sheadded.“Some oftheprinciplesBahá’u’lláh broughtincludetheequality ofmenandwomen,universal education,theharmonyof scienceandreligion,andthe eliminationofprejudiceof everykind.”

Whilepresentinother teachesequalityasacentralpillar.Inthereligious teachings,genderequality iscitedasanimportantpart ofholisticdevelopment,not justforapeople,butforhumankind.AsDewarshared, “Theequalityofthesexesis oneoftheprinciplesofthe

Theanalogyusedinthe teachingsisthathumanityis likeabirdwithtwowings, onemaleandonefemale, andthebirdcannotflyunlessbothwingsareequally strong.”

Thiswasparticularly uniquegiventhetimeperiod inwhichthesebeliefswere established,asDewaradded, “WhenBahá’u’lláhcamein the1800s,womenwereoften notpermittedtobeeducated, souniversaleducationwasa significantteaching.”

Whileitisnotwhatdrew

hertothefaithinthefirst place,Dewarsharedthatthe roleofwomeninthefaith, bothlocallyandinternationally,hasbeensignificant, withamajorityofthefaith beingpractisedbywomen. Asshestated,“InGuyana, thereareactuallymorewomIntheNationalAssembly, thereareonlytwomen,and thechairpersonisawoman.”

This,Dewaradded,is thecaseinmanyreligions, butwhileinothersectsthey maybecitedasbackground isnotthecase.“Womentend tobetheworkersinmany religionsbutremaininthe background.Thatisnotsoin-

ey-Rooplall,theideasofthe familiartoher,butremain progressivelyrelevantin achangingsociety.Asshe saidshewasneverawareof herfamily’sfaith,butwas captivatedbytheirworkand knewthatwhenshegotolder, shetoowouldcarryonthe workofservice.“Asachild youdon’treallythinkthat

you’redifferentfromother people.

Youjustthinkthat’show lifeis,”sheadded.“Growing upinahomewhereservice waspartofeverydaylife, bothmyparentsandmyoldersiblingswereconstantly studying,deepening,anddoingprojectsindifferentcommunities.ItwassomethingI couldn’twaittodowhenit wasmyturn.”

meantacceptingJesusChrist, teachersofthepastaspart oftherevelationofGod.The faiths,hascorevalueswhich aretaughtandpractisedona day-to-daybasis.Apartfrom prayersandperiodsofcollecteachesserviceineveryday

activities.Thisisavitalpart

“Abigconceptinmylifeasa

Personaldevelopmentis inseparablefromthedevelopmentofourcommunityand environment.Personalsalvationisnotenough.Wehave toworkonourowncharacterandatthesametime contributetothegrowthof ourneighbourhoodandcommunity,”sheadded.“When Iwas12,Igraduatedasa literacyfacilitatorwithmy mumaspartofaprogramme helpwithliteracy.Thatwas simplypartofcommunity life,lookingattheneedsof thecommunityandseeing whatwecoulddotohelp.”

Althoughsmall,the far-reachingimpact,with

some600to700members withthewiderpopulation,munity.InGuyana,there morethan1,100peopleare involvedinthecommunity programmes,”shefurther added.“Therearechildren’s classes,junioryouthgroups andotheractivitiesthathelp youngpeopledevelopqualitieslikehonesty,truthfulness andspirituality.”

Faithisfocusedonhelping humanitybecomethebest itcanbethroughthevalues ofprogressivechange,unity andequality.“It’smore aboutsharingtheteachingsandvalues,thatGod isone,thatweshouldpray, andthatweshouldliveby principlesliketruthfulness, unityandequality.”

STUDYSUCCESS

Welcome,fellowreader. Readingcomprehension skillshingeonyourability topullexplicitandimplicitinformationfroma text.Sometimesreaders needpriorandindependent knowledgetounderstand adeeplyimplicitfactin amatter;butotherwise, theygraspanimplicitfact throughothercontextual clues.Afactthatisnot implicitisimplicitandoutrightlystated.Here,there arenohiddenconnotations andnoroomformisun-

derstanding.Itiseasierto scoreonrecognisingexplicitfacts.Bewise. Loveyou.

THEEXCERPT

Showingunderstanding ofthematter

Readcarefullywhatis saidinthepassagebelow, andthenanswerallthequestionsthatfollow.

Thevillageappearedto beattheendoftheworld, anditseemedasthougheach daywasadeliberateeffort Dawncameslowly;thecold airflowingoffthesea,the

smelloffishandthewet smellofthenetsfadingaway asthelightclimbedupthe sky.Middaybroughtablazingheatthatsoftenedtheraw pitchwithwhichtheroadwas madeinthevillage.

Carsparkedtoolongin theheatsankslowly,tyredeep,intothesoftasphalt, andthehotsunandtheheavy airfilledwiththesmellof cookingsawthehugered ballofthesundippingacross theskyintothesea,leaving gloriousandstunningsunsets thatcolouredtheskyred, burningoffthehullofthe

tankersthattiedupagainst thelongoil-jetty,matching theflaresoftheoilrefineryin thedistanceastheexcessgas wasburnedoff.Theevening smellwasthatofoil.

Therewasdeathinthe village,butthatdeathwasnot afinalhorror,butitwasthe heart-rending,bittercryofa suddenandunexpectedgrief.

No!Itwasthesad,lingering,whimsicaldeath foundintheeyesofbroken, oldmenastheypattedyoung boysontheheadandconsideredthefoolishnessofyouth; itwastheemptydeathfound

Greatwitsaresure tomadnessnearalli’d,

JOHNDRYDEN(1631-1700) “AbsalomandAchitophel,”pt.i,I.I

onabandonedcoastsatthe endofsmallislandsdwarfed bythehugenessoftheAtlantic;itwasthehopelessnessof thisbackwatervillage,swept cleanoftalentandvitality, missedandignoredbypoliticalturmoilsweepingthe citydependentuponapoor stonyearthanddwindlingoil Deathherewasavisionofa hopelessfuture.

(NoelWoodfoffe, “Wing’sWay”)

1.Givethemeaningof eachword-group:Thevillage appearedtobeattheendof theworld;Dawncameslowly;thelightclimbedupthe sky;Middaybroughtablazingheat;thehugeredballof thesundippedacrossthesky intothesea;smallislands dwarfedbythehugenessof theAtlantic;backwatervillage;missedandignoredby apoliticalturmoil.

2.Inparagraphone,the writerdescribesmanytimes oftheday.Tellabouteach timeincrisp,shortdescriptions.

3.Weretherecontrastingsmellsoftheday?Describeonepairofcontrasting smells.

4.Identifyonewordthat canbereferredtoaspersonificationinthefirstparagraph.

5.Accordingtothewriter,whatwasdeathinthese parts?

6.Makeasummaryofthe thirdandfourthparagraphs.

THEPASSAGE

Readthefollowingpassagecarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsbelowit.

TheStressResponse

Whycouldsomething asfamiliarasatelephone ringinglateatnightcause apersontofeelfearand near-panic?Whyisitthat yourhandssweat,yourmusclestense,andyourappetite leavesasyouwaitinthehall-

wayoutsidetheclassroomin whichyourfinalexamination istobeheld?

Theseanswersaresimpleandbasedonthebody’s primitiveinterpretationof reality.Thebodyislooking forenergybecauseitbelieves thatallchangeisthreatening andcanbeconfrontedby running,fighting,scaringthe “adversary”away,orengagingitinsexualactivity(the flight,fight,fright,orfolly response).

Fortheseresponses,the bodysimplyneedsenergyfor physicalactivity.

1.Givepossiblemeaningsforthefollowingsingle terms:sweat,appetite,energy,change.

2.Supposeyouarealone andsoundasleep,andyour housephoneringslateat night.Whatassumptions wouldpassthroughyour headbeforeyouanswerthe phone?

3.Accordingtothe passageinformation,what shouldthereadernowrecogniseas“near-panic”?

4.Whydoyousuppose theauthorusestheterm“the body’sprimitiveinterpretationofreality”?

5.Accordingtothepassage,howdopeopleconfront change?

6.Whatdoyouthinkthe writermeansbysaying“The bodyislookingforenergy”?

7.GiveTHREEresponsesthatthebodysimplyneeds energyfor?

GRAMMAR Rewritingsentences whereveritisnecessarywith theprincipleofbalancein mind.SayOKifthereisno error.

1.Ineverhave,andnever will,seeasuccessfuldisorganisedphysician.

2.Acongregationhas littlefaithandrespectfora TURNTOPAGEXLVII

Commonmedications usedbydentists

ANTIBIOTICSareamong theprincipaldrugsused bydentists.Onceitisingested,itmaybetoxicto intestinalbacteria.Desirable(“friendly”)bacteria aswellasundesirableones will,therefore,bepoisoned anddestroyed.Thisleaves theintestinalwallsunprotectedagainstirritatingor unabsorbedfoods,causing tissueinflammation.

Similarly,ifanantibiotic istakenforalongperiodof time,thestrainofbacteria itismeanttodestroymay eventuallybecomeresistant. Asaresult,mutantbacterial strainsareproduced.Anothersideeffectoflong-term antibioticuseisthatitdisruptsthemicrobialpopulationbydestroyingbacteria. Forexample,Candida,a yeastorganism,proliferates duringlong-termantibiotic usebecausemuchofthe bacterialpopulationisdestroyed.

Indentistry,chemother-

apymainlyusesantibiotics totreatbacterialinfections. Theymaybetakeninpill orliquidformorusedasa mouthwashandthenswallowed.

Antibioticsarealsogiven byinjection.Producedby bacteria,mouldsandfungi, antibioticscandestroyorinhibitthegrowthofotherorganisms,especiallybacteria. Someantibioticsareeffectiveagainstfungiandafew virusesaswell.Penicillin, erythromycinandtetracyclinearethemostprescribed antibioticsindentistry.

Antibioticsmayproduce anassortmentofgastrointestinalcomplaintsanda varietyofallergicreactions thatrangeinseriousness frommildrashtoshockand evendeath.Inaddition,most antibioticsinterferewiththe oestrogeninbirthcontrol pills,renderingthepillsinactive.Bloodcholesterollevels areraisedbysomeantibioticsbecausethedrugsdestroy

pastorwhoisalwayslate.3.Ms.Jackson calledthesupermarketinGeorgetown, madeanorder,andshehasdriventothe collectingoutpostinhervillage.4.We willgotothecityparkandtakeataxi toBarringtonVillage.5.Thesuccessful regionalstudentswereenrolledlastweek, andtheircompletepackageofschool regulationsissuedtoday.6.Theteenaged childrenhavenorespectandbeliefinthe villagesystemanymore.

IMPROVINGREADING

Contextclues

Note:Oneauthoritysaysthis:When youarereadingtounderstandcontext cluesyouneedtolookforhintsabout aword’smeaningfoundnearby.You mightlookforcontextcluesinthesame sentence,orinthesentencesbeforeand afterit.Thesecluescanalsobesynonyms ofthechallengingword,orevenabrief definition.

bacteriathathelpridthe bodyofcholesterol.Sinceits discoveryin1941,penicillin hasbeentheantibioticused formostdentalinfections.

Theoccurrenceofside effectsdependsonanindividual’stolerancetothe drug.Apersonallergicto penicillinwillusuallyexperienceareactionwithinhalf anhouroftakingthedrug.In someallergicreactions,the musclesinthethroatbecome constricted,causingbreathingdifficulty.Inmoreseriousreactions,thecapillaries dilate,causingshock,which, ifnottreatedimmediately, canleadtodeath.

Othersideeffectsofpenicillinuserevealthemselves fromtwohourstothreeor moredaysaftertakingthe medication.Theseinclude fever,mentalchanges,oedema(abnormalaccumulation offluidintissues),abnormal heartbeat,inflammationof thekidneysandrenalfailure, swollentongue,variousskin

rashes,andinflammation ofanyorallpartsofthe mouth.Becausepenicillin crossestheplacentalbarrier andisexcretedinthemother’smilk,itsuseshouldbe avoidedduringpregnancy andlactation.

Theantibioticchoicefor individualsallergictopenicilliniserythromycin,which wasfirstusedin1952.Althoughfoodreduceserythromycinabsorption,itmay benecessarytotakethis drugwithmealsbecause ofitsadverseeffectonthe gastrointestinaltract.

Erythromycinisdistributedtomostbodytissuesand excretedviatheliverinthe bile,andinurineandfaeces. Sideeffectsassociatedwith erythromycinincludegastrointestinalirritation,abdominalcramps,nausea,vomiting anddiarrhoea.Alltheside effectsdisappearwhenthe drugisdiscontinued.Individualstakingdigoxin,warfarinorcarbamazepine,and

thosetakingtheophyllinefor asthmaorbronchitis,may experienceadversereactions toerythromycinandshould, therefore,avoidtakingit.

Discoveredin1948,tetracyclineisabroad-spectrumantibioticthataffects awiderangeofmicroorganisms.Itconcentratesinthe liverandisexcretedintothe intestinesviathebile.This drugshouldnotbetakenby pregnantorlactatingwomen,orbychildrenbetween theagesoftwomonthsand eightyears,becauseofits sideeffects.

Tetracyclineissecreted inthesalivaandthemilk oflactatingwomenandis storedinuneruptedteethof nursingbabies.Whenthe teetherupt,theyhavepermanentstains,whichdarken withageandexposureto light.Adecreasedgrowth rateinboneshasalsobeen demonstratedininfantsand foetuseswhohaveingested and/orbeenexposedtotet-

racycline.

Althoughtetracyclineis prescribedforseveregum disease,itshouldbetaken withcautionbecauseofits manysideeffects.Someof thesesideeffectsinclude light-headedness,dizziness andvertigo.

Peopletakingthisdrug shouldnotdriveorperform anyhazardousjobs.Inaddition,tetracyclinereacts negativelywithantacids, iron,oralcontraceptives, barbituratesandwarfarin. Withlong-termtetracycline use,thetargetedorganisms maybecomeresistanttothe medication.

Becausetheresistant bacterialstraincannotbe destroyedbyanyantibiotic,theconditioniscalled a“superinfection.”There areotherantibioticsprescribedindentistry,but liketheaboveantibiotics, theyshouldbetakenwith cautionandonlywhen necessary.