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Sunday, September 27, 2026

Vickiola Aaron during Indigenous Heritage Month this year

Educator compiles the first Patamuna Learning Handbook to revitalise the language

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

‘Lindener’ making a name for herself in Canada as International Consultant, Executive Coach, Educator

By Frederick Halley GUYANA-born Michelle S. Moseley, PhD, MBA, FMA, OPD, CLC, is an international consultant, executive coach, educator, entrepreneur, speaker and community-impact leader whose work spans Canada, Guyana, the United Kingdom, Africa and the wider Caribbean. With more than 25 years of experience across financial services, business advisory, education, coaching, organisational development, compliance and operations, she has built a career around strengthening people, organisations and communities. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Pepperpot, the unassuming Dr Moseley, who is also the Founder and Principal of MSM Global Enterprises, a consulting, coaching, education and international market-entry advisory organisation, disclosed that she “supports entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, organisations and investors in areas that include business strategy, leadership development, organisational effectiveness, financial education, executive and career coaching, market-entry planning, diaspora engagement and Canada– Guyana business facilitation.” The organisation’s expanding portfolio also includes realty and executive housing services, property-related advisory, financial education and concierge solutions. According to Dr Moseley, her approach to consulting and coaching is grounded in the belief that sustainable growth begins with clarity, strong systems and human-centred leadership. Drawing upon her doctoral research, MBA leadership studies and professional coaching experience, Dr Moseley developed the SACM

Coaching Model—Strategy, Alignment, Capacity and Measurement. She noted that the model helps leaders and business owners connect their vision to practical structures, strengthen organisational capacity, and establish meaningful measures of progress. “This reflects the philosophy at the centre of MSM Global: providing a trusted thinking partner when leaders are navigating growth, transition or complex decisions.” Before establishing MSM Global, Dr Moseley built an extensive career in financial services. Her experience included leadership responsibilities as a branch manager and training specialist, as well as work involving financial planning, advisory practice development, operations, compliance, employee development and client service. From 2018 to 2023, she provided business coaching to financial advisers managing and growing their professional practices. She later expanded her coaching portfolio to include C-suite executives, emerging leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals navigating career advancement and organisational

management. Dr Moseley explained that education is another important pillar of her work. She has taught in Canada and the Caribbean, including at Centennial College and St George’s University. At the graduate level, she has facilitated Financial Accounting and Managerial Finance within the MBA in Multisector Health Management programme. Her teaching style focuses on making complex financial and business concepts practical, accessible and relevant to professionals who may not come from traditional finance or accounting backgrounds. Alongside her for-profit leadership, Dr Moseley has maintained a longstanding commitment to non-profit, community and social-impact work. She is the Executive Lead behind Hope in Motion – Education and Empowerment, an MSM Global community-impact initiative addressing gender-based and domestic violence. Hope in Motion brings together education, public awareness, survivor support, empowerment and community action, with particular attention to the effects of violence on women,

Dr Michelle Moseley

change. In 2026, she served as a Business Coach with the Guyana WoodBased Accelerator Programme. In that role, she worked directly with business owners to improve their financial management, governance, operational processes, sales readiness, team accountability and capacity for sustainable growth. Her coaching helped participants move beyond owner-dependent practices by establishing clearer financial and administrative processes, defined responsibilities and more collaborative approaches to business

children, families, mental health and wider society. According to Dr Moseley, “the initiative’s inaugural Ride for Hope GY 2026 is designed to mobilise communities and institutional partners across Guyana while expanding national conversations about prevention, intervention and survivor support.” Under Dr Moseley’s leadership, Hope in Motion has engaged government ministries, non-profit organisations, business associations, Rotary, private-sector partners and members of the Guyanese diaspora. Her role involves

strategic leadership, partnership development, resource mobilisation, and coordinating stakeholders around a shared social mission. Dr Moseley has also served in several board, association and international leadership capacities, including Vice President of MHSAA, Executive Director of MHSAA Redux and Vice President of the World Guyanese Congress. She is also an Ambassador and Executive Director of the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber, with responsibilities connecting Canada, the Caribbean and the global African diaspora. Through this work, she promotes trade, investment, entrepreneurship, institutional partnerships and stronger economic relationships among Africa, Canada, Guyana and the Caribbean. Dr Moseley’s previous leadership service includes serving as Deputy Chair of the African Caribbean Sustainability and Investment Summit and as Co-Chair of the Guyana Independence Celebrations Committee for Guyana’s 60th anniversary. She is also a Rotarian affiliated with the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and has contributed to chambers of commerce, professional associations and community organisations in Canada and Guyana. Dr Moseley’s community work has included youth and women’s empowerment initiatives in several countries. She has supported a youth-camp collaboration in Ghana, contributed to initiatives involving Girls Home and Ladies on a Mission in Linden, Guyana, and supported community outreach through MSM Hope Alive Jamaica. In Canada, she has contributed to financial-literacy programming involving the Toronto Police Service and Advocacy for Etobicoke Youths Canada. She has also facili-

tated leadership and empowerment seminars in Guyana and created opportunities for young people to gain meaningful international experience. Dr Moseley holds a PhD focused on human-centred coaching, organisational coaching, and business scalability, as well as an MBA in Leadership and Management. Her professional credentials include FMA – Financial Management Advisor, OPD – Officers, Partners & Directors, and CLC – Certified Life Coach designations. She is recognised for connecting strategy with implementation, financial insight with human development, and commercial success with meaningful community impact. Across her work in Canada, Guyana, the United Kingdom, Ghana and the wider international community, she has remained committed to building bridges between people, sectors and countries. Whether she is advising a business owner, coaching an executive, teaching graduate students, serving on a board, developing an international partnership or advocating for survivors of violence, her work is guided by a consistent purpose: to help people and organisations move from ideas to informed action and from individual success to sustainable collective impact. Born and bred in Linden, Dr Moseley migrated to Canada in 1995 and worked at the Guyana National Co-op Bank (GNCB) Linden Branch and GPO branch before transitioning to teaching at her alma mater, Mackenzie High School. As a teacher, she taught business and languages: English, literature and Spanish. She also led the debating team to several victories, including a win against the then champions, Queen’s College.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

III

Educator compiles the first Patamuna Learning Handbook to revitalise the language

By Michel Outridge

VICKIOLA Indeira Aaron is an educator, community advocate, cultural preservationist and youth leader from Paramakatoi Village in the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). She was born and grew up in a small settlement called Mountain Foot near Paramakatoi Village. She came from a simple, hardworking home where her parents depended solely on farming and hunting for a living. Vickiola’s family lived in a small but beautiful settlement where locals know each other by name

and where the peaceful Patamunas dominate. The teacher told the Pepperpot Magazine that life in the remote village can be challenging, but they are accustomed to hardships and have found ways to cope by becoming self-sufficient and self-reliant. Her work reflects a strong commitment to education, Indigenous identity, community development and the preservation of Patamuna language and cultural knowledge. This young woman’s background has made her see education as the most important tool to enable a better life for herself and others. This led her to think deeply and

Teacher Vickiola Aaron with one of our top performers last year during a ceremony at the school

search within herself for answers about choosing a suitable career where she can give back to the community and enhance others’ lives through education. Vickiola is a trained mathematics educator who has dedicated much of her professional life to serving Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students at Paramakatoi Secondary School for almost 13 years. Through her teaching and leadership roles, she has promoted mathematics education and business while encouraging students to value their cultural identity and community. In 2018, Vickiola completed her studies at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and, in 2023, graduated from the University of Guyana (UG) with a bachelor’s degree in Education – Mathematics. In 2025, she graduated with distinction with a postgraduate diploma in Education from UG. Vickiola’s dream is to become a role model for the younger generation. In her spare time, she enjoys nature walks, singing and doing maths-related activities. She is a people person and loves to make friends. Beyond the classroom, Vickiola is fluent in Patamuna and English, is passionate about Indigenous language revitalisation, and is actively involved in promoting the Patamuna language, including translation, awareness activities, and community-based language initiatives. She compiled the first Patamuna Learning Handbook with support from Guyana Conservation International and continued support from the four Patamuna translators who have contributed tremendously to Patamuna language revitalisation, for which she will always be grateful. She believes that maintaining a strong connection to culture and language is essential for strengthening identity. The educator also supports initiatives in a women’s group called the Indigenous Women’s Empowerment Programme (IWEP) in Paramakatoi Village, where she leads awareness sessions and supports women and youth. Vickiola’s connection to Indigenous advocacy has also extended beyond Guyana, where FILAC identifies her as a Patamuna participant from Guyana in one of its Indigenous capacity-building TURN TO PAGE VII

Vickiola Aaron during Indigenous Heritage Month this year

The Patamona Learning Handbook, which was launched in 2024 to revitalise the language

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

A Growing Green Enterprise:

One Woman’s Beekeeping Journey By Michel Outridge AS Guyana’s second honey flow of 2026 continues, the honey harvesters of Sandvoort Village, East Bank Berbice, are busy harvesting and making preparations for the Annual Honey Fest 2026. This honey-producing community is celebrated for its award-winning honey, thoughtful environmental stewardship and proud beekeeping tradition. Among its accomplished producers is Tiffany Maison, an enterprising beekeeper who has grown five hives into an expanding, environmentally conscious business. Since joining the apiculture industry in 2019, Maison has gone beyond conventional honey production and has developed a range of value-added beeswax products. Her experience shows that education, innovation and sustainable resource management can create substantial economic opportunities while encouraging more women and young people to take up agriculture. The 34-year-old entrepreneur, a final-year University of Guyana student and mother of two, discovered her passion for beekeeping while attending the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA). Her cohort was the first at the institution to benefit from a pro-

Tiffany Maison’s brand logo

gramme that combined classroom learning with hands-on apiculture training. Through the course, Maison gained a thorough understanding of bee biology, colony management, hive inspections and honey production. Although she didn’t know at first whether she could look after the colonies herself, the practical experience she gained step by step eased her worries and helped her confidence grow. “I wasn’t at first sure that I would be able to control the bees,” she recalled. “But afterwards, hav-

Tiffany Maison’s brand of organic honey

ing acquired both knowledge and practical experience, I gained confidence and became comfortable in managing the colonies.” The advice and encouragement she received from experienced beekeepers were very helpful, especially in Sandvoort, where generations have retained their knowledge of colony behaviour, seasonal honey flows, and the need to protect natural forage, enabling the village to become a respected centre of apiculture. Beekeeping also gave Maison a valuable chance to earn extra income while raising her 16-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. The flexibility of the activity helped her balance her role as a mother with her professional duties and studies. Maison has proudly been a prison officer for the last 10 years. In 2018, she received a scholarship to attend GSA, where she earned a certificate and graduated in 2021. She then completed a diploma and is currently finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science at the University of Guyana. Because important activities such as hive inspections and harvesting can be carefully scheduled, Maison has been able to keep up her studies while growing her business. The training she has received at school has also increased her understanding of apiculture as a science based on effective colony management, healthy ecosystems and responsible production practices. Her apiary’s strategic location shows the close link between production and the environment. When she set up her first five hives, she placed them among the black mangroves and the Long John vegetation in Sandvoort. The thriving natural habitats there offer plenty of nectar and

Beekeeper Tiffany Maison

pollen, creating ideal conditions for healthy colonies to form and for honey to be produced. The lush Long John vegetation is found in the backlands of the village, since that area has not been heavily cleared and therefore remains mostly undisturbed. When it flowers, it provides a valuable food source for Maison’s bee colonies. Moreover, she has hives near the black mangroves along the Canje Creek, whose seasonal flowering helps support honey production during the main honey flow. These habitats show the close relationship between apiculture and environmental stewardship, since mangroves, orchards and other flowering plants supply essential food for bee colonies; bees pollinate plants and thus contribute to higher

agricultural productivity, biodiversity and ecological stability; and protecting these vital forage areas aids in preserving pollinator populations as well as the livelihoods that depend on them. Maison’s 2026 harvest clearly reflects Sandvoort’s environment, as shown by the amount of honey she gathered during the second honey flow. This flow started in the first week of September and, over 21 days, she obtained about 20 gallons from six of the 25 hives near the Long John vegetation. The colonies in the black mangroves will also be ready for harvesting later in the season, since the nectar flow in that area is still developing. In 2025, Maison likewise produced a significant amount of honey, taking in about 40 gallons in TURN TO PAGE VI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

Guyanese Musicians Gavin and Rocky ‘Folk it Up’ in Ireland Again

GAVIN and Chucky continue to take Guyanese folk music and culture to new audiences, this time on a 15-day tour across the Emerald Isle of Ireland, from which they have just returned home. The duo are no strangers to the Irish, as back in January 2025 they showcased at “Your Roots Are Showing” with their folk/punk fusion of “Creole Rock”. While on tour last year, the band recorded a live album at the University of Surrey called “Jungle Punk”, now available on all major stream-

ing platforms. This year, they took a more traditional route, joining the tour company “Ireland Along The Way” on a cross-country coach tour to a series of iconic and historic venues, co-headlining with “The Berger Boys”, a father-and-son duo from the US. The tour featured standout performances by Gavin and Chucky, as well as a few “traditional Irish jam sessions” where they joined local musicians in pubs, creating the perfect opportunity for a cultural exchange through music. Led by Chris Keenan, whom

Gavin met at “Your Roots Are Showing” during his first excursion to Ireland in 2024, Ireland Along The Way specialises in organising multiple cross-country tours in Ireland throughout the year. Gavin and Chucky described the opportunity as a “dream come true”, as they have been working nonstop over the past 10 years to contribute to the preservation of Guyanese folk music. Their work is unmatched in today’s Guyanese music industry. The tour took them across the amazing and scenic landscape of

Ireland, where they performed at the following iconic locations: Lough Rynn Castle; Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge; Inishmore; McCarthy’s pub in Westport; Róisín Dubh in Galway; and the famous Matt Molloy’s for their final performance. Every venue they played at was left blown away by the duo’s infectious energy, and locals warmly embraced them despite their different cultures. Music has an amazing power to bring people together, and Gavin and Chucky helped create that energy.

Now that they have arrived back in their homeland, their next journey will take them to the heart of Guyana for the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival, 16–18 October at Manari Ranch. Follow Gavin & Chucky on social media @creolerock and visit creolerock.music to stream their music. Gavin and Chucky were proudly supported by the Guyana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Happy Home Guyana Inc. (Submitted by Gavin Mendonca)

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

A Growing Green Enterprise:

FROM PAGE IV

One Woman’s Beekeeping Journey

the first honey flow and 90 gallons in the second. These results show the promise of well-managed bee colonies with access to ample natural food sources. Yet environmental conditions still matter for productivity, since higher temperatures, less rainfall and El Niño-related changes can affect flowering patterns, water availability, colony health and honey production. Maison remembered a long dry spell roughly two years earlier but noted it did not greatly interfere with honey flow in her region. Nevertheless, that experience showed how important it is to monitor climatic conditions and prepare the colonies to withstand periods of stress better. Honey remains the main product of Maison’s Apiary Enterprise, but she has carefully diversified its activities to earn extra income and use materials produced in the hive. One of her more innovative products is a reusable food cover made from beeswax and pine resin. It is a practical way to cover and preserve vegetables and other foods, helping them stay fresh longer. Maison considers it an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic. She makes about 400 items each season, and the wraps have now become one of her best-selling products. This innovation shows that

beeswax, usually regarded as a by-product of honey collection, can be turned into a valuable commercial product. Moreover, the initiative connects beekeeping with broader efforts to reduce plastic waste and encourage more sustainable practices at home. Maison is increasing her business’s value while providing consumers with a locally produced, environmentally friendly alternative. However, building a reliable market needs persistence. When she first started as a beekeeper, Maison had to establish her credibility and show that her honey was genuine and of good quality. After consumers got used to her products and had come to see her as a trustworthy producer, demand increased steadily. Maison’s Apiary Enterprise has built a loyal customer base for its honey and beeswax products, clearly showing that quality, consistency and consumer confidence drive the success of a sustainable agricultural business. Maison owes a great deal to other beekeepers for the technical advice, practical assistance and encouragement they gave her at the beginning of her career. Their generosity in sharing their knowledge helped her overcome her first doubts and gain confidence in running her colonies. Since receiving that mentorship, she has helped others, particularly

One of the best-selling by-products of beeswax developed by Tiffany Maison

From the hive to the bottle

young people in Sandvoort who want to make the most of their time and build genuine sources of income. Her accomplishments also counter the idea that apiculture is mainly a male activity; by managing bee colonies, harvesting and marketing honey, producing value-added products and training others, Maison demonstrates the important role women can play in promoting and developing the industry. She is also thankful for the resources the Government of Guyana made available through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) to promote apiculture. Maison thinks the creation of an active Apiculture Unit, the annual organisation of Honey Fest, the monitoring and evaluation of honey production, and the provision of training and equipment are all contributing to strengthening the industry. In her opinion, these initiatives enable women and give young people meaningful opportunities to engage in agricultural entrepreneurship. She also recognised the professional advice provided by GLDA under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dwight Walrond, and the technical assistance given by Shane Fullerton, a member of GLDA’s Region Five Extension

Team. The training, equipment, extension services and market development opportunities are helping beekeepers build technical skills and expand their businesses. Because new entrants have the interest and determination to succeed but may not have access to equipment, financing, or professional advice, such organised support is particularly important. Maison’s participation in GLDA’s Honey Fest 2025 allowed her to promote her products, strengthen her market position and meet others in the industry. She called the event a success because it offered valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and product promotion. It was also a source of pride for Sandvoort, as its ten experienced beekeepers secured several awards in the competitive divisions, strengthening the village’s reputation for producing high-quality honey. Inspired by this success, the community’s beekeepers have already begun preparing for Honey Fest 2026. Maison is now getting ready for the next stage of her business. She seeks financing from the Guyana Development Bank to expand her apiary, increase honey production and strengthen her value-added

operations. Her aims go beyond commercial growth; she also seeks financial and technical assistance to develop a mobile application intended to increase public awareness of bees, improve community safety and reduce accidents that could injure people or bees. The proposed application would include a safety-alert feature that would allow users to report bee swarms, possible attacks and other bee-related hazards. It would also provide educational information and a directory connecting members of the public with trained beekeepers. If bee colonies establish themselves near houses, businesses or workplaces, fear and misinformation may prompt dangerous actions. Attempting to disturb, burn, or destroy bees might trigger a defensive reaction, put the public at risk, and lead to the unwarranted loss of valuable pollinators. The app could help people safely evaluate, remove and relocate bee colonies by connecting them with experienced beekeepers, and its main aim would be to encourage informed coexistence between humans and bees through public education, prompt reporting and professional intervention. The idea shows what Maison’s vision for agricultural entrepreneurship has become. Her aims are not confined to boosting honey production; they now include environmental conservation, digital innovation, public education and community safety. The company has grown from five hives in 2019 into an example of the benefits of education, mentorship, innovation, and institutional support. Because her products depend on natural habitats that need protection, they also show that environmental responsibility can lead to viable economic opportunities. This example shows that environmental stewardship and economic development can reinforce one another: healthy ecosystems support productive colonies, which in turn sustain rural enterprises, and because successful beekeepers have a direct interest in preserving the landscapes on which their livelihoods depend, they want to protect them. For Maison, confidence grew from knowledge and experience. Her achievements now send a clear message to women, young people and those aiming to set up businesses in the agricultural sector: if education, mentorship, institutional support and respect for the environment are provided, a small start-up can become a sustainable and profitable enterprise.

VII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

Educator compiles the first Patamuna Learning Handbook ... FROM PAGE III

programmes. At the heart of Vickiola’s work is a belief in education, cultural identity, community empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge. As a teacher and community advocate, she continues to use her skills and experience to contribute to the development of Paramakatoi and Region Eight. Vickiola is a mother of two amazing children and a full-time wife whose life balances her career, home, family, and community. Mountain Foot (also known as Mountain Foot / Bashvale) is a remote satellite Indigenous village of Paramakatoi located in the Pakaraima Mountains (Region Eight, Potaro-Siparuni). It sits in the highland interior near Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi, surrounded by rugged mountain terrain, pristine forests and foot trails. The small settlement is primarily dependent on subsistence farming and hunting. The area is accessed via local foot trails and bush roads, with regional infrastructural investments (such as bridge and trail repairs) managed alongside neighbouring Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi hubs.

A bird’s-eye view of Mountain Foot Village

VIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

A Promise to Keep

IF the younger version of you met you today, would they be proud of who you had become? This is a difficult question to answer. For some, painful even. Time has a way of capturing the thin, hidden ends of our very being and tugging at them until we unravel like

a loosely wrapped spool of yarn. Strangely, allowing ourselves to become unravelled is not the difficult part. Being broken, pulled apart, or exposed usually happens quickly. Those events are like an unexpected spatter of rain that catches us off guard

and soaks us to the skin. In a moment like that, it is not the rain itself that upsets us. It is the prospect of sitting in our damp clothes for the rest of the day that truly makes us feel gloomy. The chaotic unravelling that inevitably infects us is not what changes us. It is what follows, that is, the uncomfortable stumbling and fumbling that we must experience after being unravelled, that truly changes us from what we used to be. For some, this change is for the better. For others, it is for the worse. For those who spent their childhood feeding on daydreams, like butterflies and bees on nectar, the revelation that even growth does not protect us from making mistakes is shocking. Adulthood is not a magic castle one can step into and be transformed into a formidable princess or

prince. Instead, it is the ugly process of being broken and rebuilt repeatedly until we either lose our strength or become completely comfortable with what we have become. The latter, of course, is the perfect outcome. Our childhood tend to end with an unspoken promise. We braid it into the wind or plant it in a hidden corner of the playground where we grew up, so only we will ever know it exists. The promise is about who we want to become in the future: what kind of work we will do, what kind of home we will build or what kind of person we will choose to love. It is the most important promise we will ever make in our entire lives because it is the first step we take in a journey whose direction and pace even fate cannot predetermine. It is the promise that will gleam in the corners of

our eyes in moments when the entire world seems dark. As we make important decisions and push ourselves to overcome obstacles, the promise motivates us to keep moving. More importantly, it motivates us to keep being the kind of person we dreamed of being, no matter how difficult the process becomes. When we are children, the path ahead usually seems clear. When we complete a grade, another one is always waiting. When we graduate from school, college, or work, another one is always waiting. In adulthood, the map to the road ahead becomes much murkier. Sometimes, the seemingly clear choice isn’t the right one, and the choice that is right for you is what everyone around you believes is wrong. Often, the only guidance we have is that promise we made to

ourselves when we were younger. We are usually taught that it is all right to fail and make mistakes. However, no one tells us that sometimes, it is okay to be lost. It is all right to stand still for a moment in the darkness and digest the thought that there is simply no way to tell what you have to do next. Most people who are thriving today have experienced this very moment and learned to find their way out. In fact, the courage we gain in this moment will carry us through many similar moments in the future. Every one of us has a promise to keep. The path to keeping this promise can be winding. We might get lost or stop for a few moments, but as long as we remember why we chose to embark on the journey, we will always find the way forward.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

Rescuing a Dying Organisation Section 1: At Death’s Door

NON-PROFIT organisations provide products or services for the benefit of society, while profit-making organisations mainly focus on generating profit. The greater the profit, the greater the financial and social gains. Sometimes, in an attempt to make a profit, an organisation engages in various activities and experiences several challenges. These challenges may become so severe that they require medical attention. Many times, when medical attention is sought, the organisation is already at death’s door. At this stage, an organisation needs a diagnosis. This is a preliminary requirement for many medical officers when someone shows signs of lifelessness or dysfunction. To help a dying organisation, you must identify the root cause. If the main problems are not identified, then the organisation may encounter the same problem again. One good example is an individual discharged from the hospital who goes home but returns for the same reason. Therefore, finding the

root cause and addressing it is the best way to resolve an issue. Finding the problem may be time-consuming, but if you want to help the organisation, you have to find out what caused it. Once you find the cause, you must take steps to reduce, eliminate, or remove it from the organisation. Solving some problems may be costly, but it may be the only way to address them. Some problems can result from faulty machines, old equipment, poor performance from the labour force, and more. Whatever the problem is, it must be addressed. Timeliness is also a key factor when addressing the problem.

Section 2: Learning from the Past The past should not be seen as a bad period, especially for organisations that have faced challenges. Many people who have learned from the past can make a great impact on the future. The past provides many learning opportunities. Some past experiences may not be enjoyable to remember. However, if the lesson has been learned and a similar situation occurs in the future,

those managing the organisation will know what needs to be done. When faced with certain challenges, start-up organisations sometimes do not know what to do, since it may be the first time they have experienced such a situation. Some organisations have taken steps to ensure their senior management team includes experienced people. These experienced people can provide quality guidance to the younger management team, which can save them from many pitfalls. Certain experiences are not easy to acquire. However, those who have learned from tough experiences can guide others in the right direction. This is similar to a parent sharing experiences with his/her child. Children sometimes believe they have a good grasp of life, but when certain situations confront them, they recognise they need their parents or should have taken their parents’ advice. Past experiences are a good learning tool for avoiding future challenges of the same nature. When an organisation plans for the future, it should also consider its past experiences. This helps make

assumptions and estimates more realistic and less based on the idea that everything will be perfect. Some organisations will use statistics for future projections. One such statistic is the average, or mean. This allows the organisation to use a figure that includes both good and bad results. Choosing this option may have advantages and disadvantages, but the organisation must use something as the basis for future projections.

Section 3: Fully Recovered After a long and intense effort, the organisation might be able to find its way back to recovery. Any organisation that has recovered will be more than happy to stay alive. To be alive is a good thing! Organisations that have succeeded in the rescue operation will want to make success a daily diet. They will do everything to stay alive. Staying alive can be very challenging, but it is better than being dead. A successful organisation that has survived the rescue will have to build its muscle. It should establish itself and spread its operations. When

operations are spread, the organisation can minimise some of the risks common to other organisations. A new customer base is important, as it will guarantee additional revenue. An organisation’s success in overcoming life’s challenges serves as a learning experience for others. Sharing its challenges and successes with selected, trusted people may be good medicine to prevent other organisations from falling into the same situation. However, some people are selfish and do not want to share what has happened to their organisation. They watch others go in the same direction toward failure without warning them. Success is good, but each organisation should constantly strive to improve. You can achieve incremental improvements or dynamic success through change. An organisation should not plan to stay where it is forever but should try to improve regularly. Planning for the future requires much foresight. The future is not guaranteed to anyone, but planning for it helps us to grow. Always try to be conservative when planning for the future. Stick to your plan if most of the

factors remain the same. If some factors change, then you will be required to make the necessary changes. Often, an organisation’s success requires the guidance of a visionary captain. Often, success lies ahead, but not everyone can see it. A visionary captain can see far beyond what other members of the organisation can see. You should connect with the public. Many people may be depending on you. Some organisations do not place much emphasis on marketing, but that should change. Advertising what you have will help your organisation reach more customers, increase revenue, and survive. When people know about the quality products you have, they may be willing to leave where they are and purchase what you have to offer. You should make the public familiar with what you have. For more information about Geary Reid and his books, please use this contact information: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/ author/gearyreid; Website: www.reidnlearn.com; Facebook: Reid n Learn; Email: info@reidnlearn. com; Mobile: 592-645-2240.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

BROTHER OCHRO’S STRANGE WORLD

GLORIA’S voice reached near and far. The terror in her voice made villagers look out. “Look wuh going on with Uncle Ochro…” What they saw would never leave them and would haunt them for a long time. Uncle Ochro, half-naked, ran and swung an axe. People were getting off the road. He seemed to have no particular target; no one waited to see if he had someone in mind. Some men

had gathered together and were moving towards Uncle Ochro. Women and young people were getting off the road while the axe was swung in directions that were focused on groups, be they men or women. They followed his stare and ran into safe yards; the children followed. No one at that time, be they young men or mature, jumped at the chance to disarm Ochro. But a mature group that pretended otherwise were indeed

waiting for Ochro to err, and he did. As he zoomed in on a group of women, he shouted, “Ahyuh always planning revolution in man house,” lifted the axe from his shoulder, and briskly stepped across the road, ignoring the men drifting behind him, spread out on both sides of the narrow road. They attacked Ochro and wrenched the axe from his hand. He wrestled with the men, but they pulled him to the ground.

The police arrived and agreed to take him to the nearby institution for a medical inspection. A few police remained with the men. They and the male villagers disarmed Ochro. Now it was they whom Ochro’s shaking wife approached and invited to their home. Of course, the men and the police followed. The hall was occupied by what appeared to be a circle with peculiar writings. “What’s this?” inquired the

police sergeant. An elderly villager responded, “It’s a mystical circle, the circle of the Book of Solomon. Nothing biblical.” The policeman responded, speaking to his officer, “See if we can get a psychologist or medical person in that field of the not-so-ordinary.” “Yes, sir. It will take some time, but as the Commissioner stated, it’s a human world, even from our own. Thank you, sir.”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 27, 2026

THERE WAS A ROOM II A story submitted to the Guyana Prize for Literature 2024

A STIFLED cry escaped his lips as her image flashed before his eyes, and he took a deep breath to control the pain. The bus reached Parika, and, disembarking, Shaan looked around, awed by the bustling marketplace with its bountiful fruits and vegetables. He stood there for a little while before following passengers to the boats plying the Essequibo River. The mighty river fascinated his young mind, and the boat ride, though scary, gave him a little thrill. He disembarked at the island of Leguan and stood at the wharf with several other people, looking around uncertainly. “I hope this uncle shows up for me,” he said quietly. “Young man.” A deep voice from behind broke into his thoughts, almost startling him. He turned to see a tall, well-built man, probably in his late forties, standing there with a taut look on his face. “Are you Avina’s son?” “Y-y-yes,” Shaan answered. The man looked at him for a moment and shook his head with a wry expression. “I’m Uncle Jarred. Come on.” He turned and walked abruptly to a black Pathfinder parked a little way from the wharf. On the way, Uncle Jarred said not another word until they arrived at the house. “This,” he said to Shaan, “is the family house.” It was a beautiful colonial-type farmhouse built on a large section of land and surrounded by a wide expanse of agricultural land. “Awesome!” Shaan exclaimed. He followed his uncle into the house and inhaled again, awed by the beautiful interior and furnishings. He had no words to describe it, so he said, “Cool.” He was shown to his mother’s room, and a chill seeped through his body as he walked around, looking at everything that was hers. Tears welled in his eyes, and he lay down on her bed, overwhelmed with emotion. He was later aroused from a light sleep by a knock on the door

and Uncle Jarred’s voice: “Come down for some dinner.” He had a refreshing bath and joined his uncle in the living room for a simple dinner. After dinner, he sat on the shaded porch at the front of the house, admiring the beautiful garden under lights. “I wonder why my m-m-mother left such a rich place to l-l-live in squalor,” he mused. Uncle Jarred was smoking a cigarette, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, and after crushing the cigarette butt in the almost full ashtray, he said to Shaan, “It’s clear you didn’t have a good life, given your physical build and abnormal outlook due to having alcoholic parents.” Shaan smiled wryly but said nothing. “So, what is the story,” Uncle Jarred asked curiously, “that caused you to fear for your life?” Shaan took a deep breath and told his uncle how he had found Bella in tall bushes and taken her home, giving her the love and care she needed. She became his special

friend, but one day, whilst she was playing on the road, a biker who often bullied Shaan intentionally knocked her down. When the message reached Shaan, he ran all the way home and carefully picked up her broken body. A concerned neighbour had called the vet, who couldn’t come that afternoon. Shaan cleaned Bella’s wounds and held her in his arms all night to comfort her, but the next morning, she took her last breath. He cried, heartbroken, and that afternoon he buried Bella, the only friend he had who loved him for who he was. Two days later, he armed himself with a big piece of wood and went looking for Bella’s killer. He found him at a bar with his friends, walked up to him bravely and said, “Y-y-you killed my d-dog.” The bully looked at him and laughed. “Well, look who’s here: the little stutter boy who lost his stupid dog.” Before he could continue his taunts, Shaan hit him with the

wood. Before the bully knew what was happening, and with the anger inside him, Shaan hit him again as he fell over. The bully’s friends advanced, but Shaan swung the wood wildly, hitting them too. This, along with his enraged screaming, made them back away. After dealing the blows, he escaped and ran home. He knew they would come for him, so he hid in the house, for he had nowhere else to go and no one to stand by him. They came late that night, swearing loudly and trying to kick down the door, but left when a neighbour called the police. They swore they would break every bone in his body when they found him. That was when he knew he had to leave for a while. Uncle Jarred shook his head in disbelief. “Imagine a small guy like you beating four guys. I guess you’ve got strength inside you. Sorry about your dog.” Shaan smiled and gave a small nod, happy to be appreciated a little. A long moment of silence followed as Uncle Jarred lit another cigarette. Then he asked, “Did your mother mention anything about her family?” “N-no.” He got up and stared out into the farmlands, and after a long while, stated with an edge of anger in his voice, “She did wrong in leaving. She caused the family to become broken.” Shaan listened but didn’t respond. Then Uncle Jarred turned abruptly and said, “Good night.” Shaan couldn’t sleep until late, his mind going to the house and Bella, and as his eyes closed, he heard his mother’s voice: “There’s a room…” Shaan sat up in bed, a strange fear that something bad had happened in this house. He awoke late the next morning and wasn’t quite sure where he was. It took a long while for his brain to process his new situation. Breakfast had been served on the porch, and his uncle said to him in a relaxed mood, “Sit and eat.

There’s always plenty of food in the house.” Shaan smiled with thanks and enjoyed a scrumptious meal. Then Uncle Jarred prepared to leave to check on some work on the farm, and he said to Shaan, “Your eldest aunt is having a little family get-together. We’ll go later in the day.” With his mother’s words lingering in his mind, Shaan asked hesitantly, “Okay. Umm, I was wondering if I could ha-ha-have a tour of the h-house.” “Later,” Uncle Jarred said, dismissing his request. At the family gathering later that day, many relatives were there, none of whom he knew. They looked at him with forced smiles, and Shaan felt his heart sink, knowing their lukewarm indifference stemmed from his condition and their perception of his father. Because of this, he feared they might not embrace him in the family, but in the next moment, the situation changed in a surprising way when Uncle Jarred told them that Shaan had beaten up four older guys single-handedly. One male cousin almost choked on his drink. “What? This small guy beat four guys?” he queried in an incredulous tone. “How did you manage that, bro?” “They killed my dog, so I got revenge,” Shaan answered casually. “Oh, damn.” The cousins laughed, looking at Shaan now with interest. “You’re like John Wick, man.” That was when Shaan laughed a little, then said soberly, “S-she was the best friend I had since my m-m-mother and father died.”

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Review of Love and New Road by Harold Bascom

THE dozen stories in Harold Bascom’s new collection, Love and New Road, offer a richly varied reading experience, one filled with surprise, humour, sadness and emotional depth. Although the stories differ significantly in tone and genre, a poignancy unites them that lingers long after the book is put down. Take “Sprinkler”, a mov-

ing riches-to-rags story in which the ravages of drug addiction do not so much end a life as condemn its protagonist to a prolonged existence of psychic anguish and despair. The story recalls James Baldwin’s classic “Sonny’s Blues” (1957), where addiction eclipses brilliance and devastates family relationships. Like Baldwin’s

story, “Sprinkler” explores addiction’s emotional fallout through the lens of familial love and loyalty. It is also a deeply affecting love story, one whose emotional resonance haunts the reader long after its conclusion. By contrast, “The Followers” is a compact macabre tale in which the boundary between the living and the dead appears almost non-ex-

istent. Here, even the afterlife cannot deprive one of the pleasures of fandom. Strange and quietly unsettling, it demonstrates Bascom’s gift for finding the extraordinary within the ordinary. Humour is another defining feature of the collection, though it is rarely broad or boisterous. Instead, Bascom favours a dry, deadpan humour that invites readers to

laugh at situations that are simultaneously tragic and absurd. It is the uneasy laughter that comes from recognising the ridiculousness embedded within human trauma. This comic sensibility reaches one of its finest expressions in “Screaming Smooth”. Like “The Followers”, the story draws upon horror conventions, blending the supernatural with

the surreal. Its premise is deliciously bizarre: during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin’s mother removes her protective mask only to discover that her face comes off with it. In this strange world, discarding the mask literally means discarding one’s identity. The conceit is both shocking and brilliantly funny. In TURN TO PAGE 14

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only a few pages, Bascom achieves a remarkable fusion of horror, satire and social commentary. The story captures with startling economy one of the defining psychological realities of the pandemic: that, for a time, the mask became inseparable from the face itself. It is an inspired metaphor, executed with wit, precision and impeccable comic timing. One of the collection’s greatest strengths is its willingness to move effortlessly

between genres, often subverting their conventional expectations. “Reciprocity” is perhaps the most traditional story in the volume. Sentimental and overtly moral, it revolves around the idea suggested by its title: kindness eventually returns to its giver. Although it is arguably the least innovative piece in the collection, it succeeds as a contemporary homage to the classic O. Henry story, particularly “The Gift of the Magi”, with

its carefully engineered irony and satisfying final revelation. Other stories occupy entirely different emotional terrain. “Rebirth” is a violent and unsettling tale of revenge and, quite literally, rebirth. Told in sparse, economical prose, it transforms a familiar supernatural premise into something genuinely disturbing. Readers are unlikely to think about newborn babies in quite the same way af-

terwards, for in Bascom’s fictional universe some infants have lived before and have returned with unfinished business and vengeance on their minds. Set in Guyana, “Rebirth” employs Guyanese Creole with remarkable authenticity. Bascom wisely confines the dialect largely to dialogue, preserving its rhythms and colloquialisms without sacrificing readability. Throughout the collection, language marks identity and belonging.

The stories move comfortably between Guyana and the United States, particularly Georgia, New Jersey and New York, creating one of the anthology’s central concerns: the complicated relationship between the Guyanese diaspora and its adopted homeland. These encounters are rarely straightforward or harmonious. “Gam”, set in Brooklyn, offers a quietly incisive example of these cultural negotiations through the failed romance between a Guyanese woman and her American date. Their differences emerge almost immediately, and what begins with promise gradually collapses under incompatible assumptions and expectations. It is, ultimately, a love story about what might have been. A similar tension informs “The Comebackee”, in which a Guyanese immigrant returns home pretending to have achieved greater success abroad than he actually has. The story captures a familiar reality within Caribbean immigrant culture, where migration to the United States is often equated with inevitable social and economic advancement. To return “home” without visible signs of prosperity is frequently regarded as failure. Bascom understands these pressures well, and the character’s deception emerges less from vanity than from the heavy expectations imposed by family, community and the mythology of the American Dream. Beneath its humour lies a profoundly sad meditation on aspiration, disappointment and identity. The story finds a thematic companion in “The Thermostat”, an astute workplace drama about office politics, misinformation and race. It is among the collection’s most intellectually ambitious stories, examining the complicated politics of language through the use of the N-word. Bascom avoids simplistic moralising, instead exploring how a racial slur carries with it the weight of history regardless of the speaker’s intentions. While contemporary debates over reclamation have complicated the word’s meaning within Black communities, its historical association with racial degradation continues to shape its reception. The story also highlights the severe social and professional consequences that may follow when non-Black speakers use, or are even accused of using, the epithet. In doing so, Bascom offers a subtle meditation on

race, power, language and the politics of offence in contemporary America. There is also much to admire in the title story, “Love and New Road”, one of the anthology’s longest and most satisfying narratives. It captures adolescence with remarkable authenticity, particularly the emotional turbulence and exhilarating uncertainty of first love. Expansive in scope, the story recreates numerous aspects of Guyanese childhood while conveying that uniquely adolescent feeling of being overwhelmed by emotions one scarcely understands. It is among the emotional centres of the collection. The anthology is further distinguished by its memorable female characters. Bascom possesses an impressive ability to create women who are psychologically convincing, resilient and wholly believable. Dr Green and Beulah Klass, in “The Vat”, are especially compelling. They are survivors whose quiet endurance gives the story much of its emotional weight. Equally noteworthy is Bascom’s reliance on dialogue. His characters move naturally between Guyanese Creole and Standard English, and conversation frequently carries the burden of characterisation and plot development. The dialogue possesses an ease and authenticity that brings these characters vividly to life. At close to 80 pages, “The Vat” functions less as a conventional short story than as a novella, providing the collection with one of its most substantial and fully realised achievements. It has some of the strongest female characters in the collection; this gruesome murder mystery, with ties to a historical massacre in the bush of Guyana, is wonderfully realised, a heartbreaking piece of tragic horror. Taken together, the stories in Love and New Road reveal Harold Bascom to be a writer of considerable versatility. Equally comfortable with realism, horror, satire, romance and social commentary, he consistently finds the human drama beneath the extraordinary. Whether writing about immigration, race, first love, addiction or the supernatural, Bascom combines humour with compassion and imaginative invention with emotional truth. The result is a collection that is as entertaining as it is affecting, from one of the enduring voices in contemporary Guyanese and Caribbean literature.

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Make Up Your Mind

I HAVE noticed something about myself over the years. Whenever I give too much attention to too many things at once, everything takes longer. I can have five things on my list and feel wonderfully productive because I am touching all five of them, yet by the end of the day, the one thing that really mattered still needs my attention. This observation has taught me something simple but important: attention works

best when it has somewhere definite to go. I see the same thing around me all the time too. Someone is talking on the phone while answering messages. Someone is cooking while checking social media and listening to a video. Another sits down to work, remembers an errand, checks a notification, answers an email, returns to the work, remembers something else and starts another task. The day becomes a long

series of little movements, and suddenly evening arrives. The person has been busy, the mind has been busy, the body has been moving, yet the important work often remains unfinished. Science offers a clear explanation for this. The human brain handles attention through selection. We receive far more information than we can consciously process with equal depth, so the brain continually decides what deserves its resources. When

we move between competing tasks, especially those that require thinking, the brain has to shift its focus and reorganise what it holds in working memory. Researchers have found measurable costs in speed, accuracy and cognitive performance when people repeatedly switch between demanding activities. This explains why answering one message while working on something important can feel harmless, even as it stretches a thir-

ty-minute task into an hour. The mind has to return to the original task and reconstruct where it was, what it was doing and what comes next. Psychology gives us another useful way to understand this. Our attention tends to follow what feels interesting, urgent or rewarding in the moment. The phone offers something immediate: a notification offers a tiny burst of novelty. Another person’s problem can suddenly feel more pressing than our

own unfinished project. The mind follows the strongest invitation unless we deliberately decide where we want it to go. This is where personal discipline becomes powerful. Discipline is often presented as some grand quality possessed by exceptionally organised people. In ordinary life, discipline is much simpler. It can mean deciding that for the next hour, one particular task receives your TURN TO PAGE XVIII

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attention. It can mean finishing the paragraph before checking the message. It can mean putting the phone aside while you work. It can mean allowing an idea to remain on the list while you complete the thing already in your hands. There is something almost old-fashioned about that kind of focus, and that is exactly why it works. Philosophers have spent centuries examining attention

because attention is closely connected to how we experience our lives. William James, one of the founders of modern psychology, wrote extensively about attention and the mind’s ability to select what receives conscious focus. We live among countless sights, sounds, thoughts, sensations and possibilities, yet our conscious experience follows only some of them. This means attention be-

comes more than a productivity tool. It becomes a way of directing our lives. Think about that for a moment: every day, something receives your attention: your family, your work, maybe money, health, a relationship, a creative project, a problem or a dream. Whatever repeatedly occupies your mind begins to occupy a larger piece of your mental landscape. This is also where manifestation becomes interesting.

I have always found it useful to bring manifestation down from the clouds and place it firmly in everyday life. A thought by itself does not build a business, finish a book, repair a relationship or create a new career. Attention gives the thought somewhere to live, and repeated action gives it a chance to become real. When you consistently give your attention to a goal, you become more likely to

notice information connected to that goal. You remember relevant ideas, recognise opportunities, become more familiar with the steps required, and keep the objective active enough in your mind for your behaviour to keep moving toward it. So now, intention becomes action. If I tell myself I want to write a book while spending every spare hour answering messages, scrolling through videos, starting unrelated projects, and responding to every distraction that appears, my desire remains an idea. When I give the book an hour today, another hour tomorrow and another the following day, something changes. I now have behaviour supporting the intention. The same principle applies to almost everything we say we want. A person who wants to start a business has to give attention to the business. A person who wants to become healthier has to give attention to the daily choices that support health. A person who wants to learn something has to give attention to learning. A person who wants to create something has to sit with the creation long enough for it to develop. In other words, attention gives intention a direction, and consistency gives that direction momentum. This is why a scattered mind can be full of wonderful ideas and still produce very little. Ideas require somewhere to land. They need time, repetition and action. I also think we sometimes confuse having many interests with having to pursue everything simultaneously. A person can be creative, ambitious and curious while still choosing one priority for the present moment. We can keep the other ideas safely written down and return to them when their time arrives. There is freedom in that. You do not have to answer every notification immediately. You do not have to chase every interesting idea the moment it appears. You do not have to give every person, problem and possibility equal access to your mind. Your attention belongs somewhere; choose where. The brain responds to repetition. Behaviour responds to direction. Goals become easier to act upon when we keep them mentally available and repeatedly take steps towards them. Focus, therefore, becomes less about doing more and more about giving sufficient attention to

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what matters. I have learned that whenever I spread myself across too many priorities, I create a strange illusion of movement. I feel active because I am doing plenty, but activity and progress are different things. Progress requires direction, and sometimes the most productive sentence we can say to ourselves is, “This is what I am doing right now.” Then we do it, we give it our attention, we give it enough time to develop, we finish what we can finish, and we return to it when tomorrow comes. This is how small efforts become substantial results. In conclusion, enjoy the poem below. Make Up Your Mind You want it all, you want it now, you make ten plans, forget the how. You start one thing, then chase another, Then blame your boss, your friend, your mother. Your phone rings twice, your mind runs three, A hundred things demand your energy. You sit to work, then check one thing, And lose the hour that work could bring. You say you’re busy, morning till night, But ask yourself, “Am I using it right?” Your attention goes where your interest flows, Then you complain that nothing grows. You cannot chase ten roads at once, Then wonder why you’ve missed the bus. The mind will follow what you feed, So feed the thought that meets your need. Discipline sounds terribly plain, It asks you to do it once again. No grand speech, no fancy parade, Just keep the promise that you made. A scattered mind can dream all day, Then watch its better plans decay. A steady mind can start with less, And build something solid from the mess. So pick one thing, and give it time, Let steady effort do its climb. You do not need a hundred ways, You need one road, and focused days. Romella Dasratt

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STUDY SUCCESS Welcome, dear friend. Careful revision is essential to academic success. It strengthens your understanding of the facts, figures, topics, and methods taught in class and keeps you moving towards greater achievement. When preparing for an essay examination, for instance, wisdom will lead you to practise re-reading written work and making any needed changes. Note how the refining of your content, organisation, sentence structure, and word choice greatly improves your

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outcomes. Revise purposefully with guidance. Be wise. With love. GRAMMAR Looking at the conjunction pitfall The following FOUR conjunction pitfalls should be avoided. Pay careful attention so you will not only be helped to use conjunctions correctly but also improve the quality and style of your writing. 1. Use “but,” not “and,” to join and contrast two elements. Examples: a) I immediately called

Maisie, but she was not at her fruit stand. b) Jenifer had an ample supply of nurses’ cap covers this morning, but I think that she sold most of them after 12:00 noon. 2. Say “the reason is that,” not “the reason is because.” Say “read in the papers that,” not “read in the papers where.” Say “pretend that,” not “pretend like.” Examples: a) The reason the probation officer called is that she needs to know how many children are in our care.

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b) Yesterday I read in the brochure delivered at my gate, that the new school in our vicinity caters to physically challenged young children. c) Because she works so well under tension, our boss pretends that every job is a rush job. 3. There is no such conjunction as “being that.” Instead, use “since,” “because,” or “as.” a) Because Mrs. E. Batson was in our village, we did not mail the invitation to her. We sent it by hand. (Not, “Being that Mrs. E. Batson ….”) b) We accomplished a lot today, since the Regent Street traffic was not at all busy. (Not, “being that the Regent Street traffic was ….”) 4. “Like” is a verb or a preposition, not a conjunction. Yet we will often hear people say, “Like I was telling Brother Simon Peterson ….” Use “as,” “as though,” or “as if” when a conjunction is needed, not “like ….” We like the colours of the new national uniform for secondary school girls. (Here “like” is a verb.) Frankie needs an African bronze necklace like mine for the women’s club annual celebration. (The preposition “like” is always followed by a noun or a pronoun.) This morning Gregory looks as if he is fully recovering from his recent bout of illness. Don’t you think?) Holly said that it does not look as though our new gardening methods will be approved. Something to Do Read the following sentences and then correct any errors. 1. Kathy Lou often appears like she has more troubles at work than she can handle. 2. The reason Orville Smith requested a transfer to the East Coast office is be-

He is well paid that is well satisfied. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616) “The Merchant of Venice” Act 4, Scene 1 cause he and his mother prefer the country atmosphere. 3. If it does not look like you will be able to join the women’s health forum tonight, will you please ask your secretary to substitute for you? 4. No essential worker can take vacation leave during October, being that October is our month of four celebrations. 5. Recently, I read in a local magazine advertisement where Elizabeth Playtime Products is planning to enter the computer game market. GRAMMAR Balancing verbs in sentences Reminder: When you put an auxiliary or helping verb together with a verb of action or condition, the two parts together act as a single verb unit (verb phrase) within a sentence. Verb phrases can contain many parts. Again, some sentences may even contain two verb phrases, as does this upcoming sentence. Jason and I will go to the corner grocery and (will) take a taxi to Aunt Lucy’s. Note that the “will” is omitted from before “take,” because the “will” in the first verb phrase serves correctly for the second part of the compound verb phrase. Verbs will not balance, however, if your sentence has two verb phrases and any part of one of them is omitted or if the tense or number of both is

not the same. Poor structure: Your successful tenders were received last week, and the contract approved yesterday. These two verb phrases do not balance because the “were” that is correct for “received” is not correct for “approved”. “Tenders” requires a plural verb; “contract” requires a singular verb. The corrected sentence is: Your successful tenders were received last week, and the contract was approved yesterday. Let us now consider balance in relation to a compound verb. Reminder: A compound verb is made up of two or more words that function as a single verb. Example: The spotlight shone brightly and gave the lead singers new courage. Here is a poor attempt at balancing: I never have, and never will, see a better family portrait. Here, only one form of the main verb phrase, “will see” is expressed by this writer, and the two forms are not the same. By adding the unexpressed “see” to the first part of the compound, it would give this awkward construction: “I have never see.” When there is an omission of part of a verb phrase it destroys verb balance. The sentence should have been written thus: I never have seen, and never will see, a better family portrait.

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Those who suffer from bad breath

W H AT i s b a d b re a t h anyway? It results from odour-causing bacteria that create waste materials in the mouth. Food particles get trapped in creases and grooves, especially in the fissures of the tongue, and become food for bacteria. When these bacteria feed, they release gaseous waste products that cause foul-smelling odours known as volatile sulphur compounds. The odour of these gases is like that of rotten eggs. You probably know what that smells like! Chances are you have never been thrown out of anywhere for having bad breath, but I know a few husbands who have been banished to the couch. Bad breath is bad news for relationships. Some people start seeing nice guys or girls, and while things look pretty good, unfortunately, they don’t smell very good. We all have bad breath sometimes. Bad breath comes in two types: transient and chronic. Transient bad breath is short-lasting and usually comes from eating foods such as garlic or onions. It can also be simple morning breath. As we sleep, saliva production decreases, allowing bacteria to proliferate. The result is morning breath. Chronic bad breath is the long-lasting type that makes people wince. I like to refer to this as the “long-term relationship killer”, and this is also called halitosis. Let us look at common factors that can lead to both types of bad breath. If you don’t remove tiny bits of food from your mouth and

between your teeth through proper brushing and flossing, bad breath can result. Also, if you have gingivitis or gum disease, you will harbour much more bacteria than usual. If you don’t scrape your tongue properly, the film of bacteria in the little crevices of your tongue can produce an unpleasant smell. Up to 90 per cent of bad breath comes from the back of your tongue! In addition to the normal accumulation of bacteria here, millions of people suffer from post-nasal drip, sometimes without realising it. The mucus that drips down onto the back of the tongue is broken down by your mouth’s bacteria, causing even more odour. Also called xerostomia, dry mouth results from low saliva due to age, medication, or loss of salivary glands from surgery or radiation therapy. Beyond bad breath, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease because saliva helps clean and protect the mouth and teeth. Overthe-counter artificial saliva replacement, an artificial version of what your mouth normally produces, helps some patients. Hundreds of medications, especially for diabetes, can cause dry mouth. As mentioned, you can buy artificial saliva that can help keep your mouth lubricated, or you can chew sugar-free gum. When you diet, your body goes into a survival mode called ketosis. When you fast or diet, your body produces stomach fluids called ketones, which give off an

odour that isn’t quite the same as the usual bad-breath smell caused by bacteria alone. Smoking is also a major culprit because it dries out the mouth and leaves a foul-smelling residue. Alco-

hol also dries out your mouth and prevents saliva from keeping bacteria in check. A small percentage of people with bad breath are suffering from serious illnesses, such as liver prob-

lems, cancer, lung abscesses or tonsillitis. When all else fails to indicate a cause for bad breath, you should consult a physician. Finally, having bad breath is not like having

body odour. You cannot just take a shower, change your clothes, and have it go away. It requires consultation with your dentist, diligent oral care and a change in lifestyle.

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