Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 28-07-2024

2024Miss Global International -Guyanaon amission toinspire

ProudtorepresentGuyana internationally

ArianDahliaRichmond isthenewlycrowned MissGlobalInternational-Guyana (AnthonyIndarphoto)

'HumanitarianMission'

–Onadrivetobreakthecycleofpovertyandpromoteeconomicself-sufficiency

HUMANITARIANMission

GuyanaInc.hasobserved thatmanyyoungindividualsinBerbice,Region Six,areunabletocomplete theireducationduetofinancialhardships,family obligations,andothersocialissues,and,assuch, theorganisationisona tasktoprovidelifeskills, educationandempoweringtrainingtohelpthese individualsovercomesuch challenges.

SureshSugrim,Secretary/CEO/Founder,began workinGuyanain2005, initiallyprovidinghandouts. Soonafter,though,itwas realisedthatthisapproach wasnotenoughtoaddress

povertyeffectively.

Soin2013,theorganisationtransitionedtoamore sustainablemodelbyleasing landfromthegovernment andbuildingatrainingcentre at14-26AreaQ,Ankerville, PortMourant,Corentyne, Berbice.

Themission’smainobjectivesaretoequipindividualsinneedwithemployable andentrepreneurialskills, breakthecycleofpoverty, promoteeconomicself-sufficiency,andinspirehope withincommunities.

InaninterviewwithPepperpotMagazine,Sugrim saidsomeofthemajorprojectsthatwillbecompleted areupgradingacommercial kitchen,installingasmart classroomwiththesupport ofdonors,andaddressing otherneedsinBerbice.

“HumanitarianMission GuyanaInc.invitesthecommunitytojointheirprogrammes,especiallyhighlightingtheirprovisionof freeon-sitebabysittingfor mothers,ensuringthatchild-

careresponsibilitiesdonot hindertheireducationaland personaladvancement.The organisationseekstocreate lastingchangeandimprove thequalityoflifeforindividualsinthecommunity,” Sugrimshared.

“Teachinglifeskillsto youngerpeopleequipsthem withthetoolstheyneedto navigatethecomplexities oflife,contributingtotheir overallwell-being,success, andabilitytocontributepositivelytosociety,”headded.

Registeredinboththe UnitedStatesunderSection501(c)(3)oftheIRS (EID#81-3447372)andin GuyanaundertheCompaniesActofGuyanaBCONo: BCO3,theorganisationinitiallyfocusedonpresenting giftstoneedyindividualsand familiesinGuyana.However,afterobservinglittlelongtermchangeintherecipients’ lives,themissionshiftedits focustoamoresustainable approach,emphasisingthe three‘Es’:Educate,Empow-

ByShaniyaHarding.

ProudtorepresentGuyanainternationally

COURAGEmanifestsinmyriadforms,frombattle-hardenedsoldierstoresilientsinglemothers.Weallembody braveryatsomepoint,butinspiringotherstobecourageousistrulyexceptional.ArianDahliaRichmond, thenewly-crownedMissGlobalInternational–Guyana (MGIG)sharedherjourney,challenges,andvisionfor inspiringfearlessnesswiththePepperpotMagazine.

ishandEnglish.Wemoved becauseofthelackofproper schoolingandjobsinBartica. ShenowhasaMaster’sin EducationandChildhoodDevelopment.”

Inschool,Arian’spassion forpeopleandthespotlight blossomed.ASt.Stanislaus CollegePresident’sCollege alumna,Arianexplainedhow herhighschoolyearsnurturedherloveforthearts.“At President’sCollege,Iwasa long-distancerunner,apoet, andadebater.Theseactivities gavemealotofself-confidenceandself-esteem,which [are]soimportant,”shereflected.

Post-highschool,Arian initiallypursuedlaw,apath societyexpectedofher.However,stayingtruetoherself, sheleftlawschooltofollow herpassionformakeupartistry. Sheexplained,“Ididstudylawbutdroppedoutinmyfinal year.NowIamattendingUniversityforaDegreeinTourism andHospitalityManagementonagovernmentscholarship,” Arianexplained.

Duringherreign,ArianwillhostanannualsummercampforyouthdevelopmentaspartofherongoingcharitableventureshostedbyherNGO

andplacedsecond.Ireallywanttobreakmystreakofseconds inthispageant.”

ArianDahliaRichmond,thenewly-crowned MissGlobalInternational–Guyana(MGIG) (AnthonyIndarphoto)

Unboundambition:FromBarticatotheglobalstage Arian’smotherinstilledinherthepowerofbigdreamsand theaudacitytopursuethem.BorninBartica,Arianrelocated toRegionFourwhenhermotherboldlydecidedtoadvance hereducation.Arianrecounted,“ImovedtoGeorgetownin primaryschool.Mymom,ateacherfor30years,teachesSpan-

Thisbolddecisionprovedtobeoneofherbest.Today, Arianisanentrepreneurwithathrivingbusinessandnew horizonsahead.Sheadded,“Forthepasteightyears,I’vebeen doingmakeupprofessionally.Iamcertified.Iloveentrepreneurship,especiallyforCaribbeanyouth,becauseit’simportanttolearnhowtomakemoneyforyourself.It’simportant tonotdependonpeoplebutknowhowtoworkwithpeople.”

Arianexemplifiesexcellententrepreneurshipandchampionsthefield.Shefirmlybelievessuccessdoesn’trequire traditionalacademicsora9-to-5job.Moreover,sheembodies entrepreneurshipatitsfinest.Asshestated,“Noteveryone whomakesmoneyisa‘bookandpen’kindofperson,”she said.“Iloveworkingwithpeople.Beingalawyerwouldn’t necessarilyallowmetodothat.”

Breakingthestreakofseconds:Arian’spageantryjourney Oversixyearsago,Arianembarkedonherpageantryjourney,startingwithwinningMissBarticaRegatta.Seekingtodo moreforhercommunity,Arianexplained,“In2018,Iwanted todoayouthcampinBartica.IwasthefirstqueenfromMiss BarticaRegattatoeverdoacommunityserviceproject.We didamonth-longsummercampwithsports,artsandcrafts, Spanish,English,andsexualeducation.”

Truetoherbeliefindiverseopportunitiesandskills,Arian’swork inBarticacoveredawiderangeof topicsaimedatdevelopingchildren’s essentialskills.“Wefocusonliteracy becauseinBartica,childrendon’t focusmuchonacademics.Wepush learningEnglishandpublicspeaking infunways.Weformedanon-governmentalorganisation,YouthDevelopmentGuyana,andhavedonecamps invariousregions.”Shestated.

Overthepastsixyears,Arianhas takenthemodellingworldbystorm, breakingrecordsandraisingthebar.She shared,“Iwaschosentobethenational representativeforMissGuyanaCulture QueenandplacedsecondinSt.Kittsand Nevis.Itwasthefirsttimein14years thatGuyanaplacedinthatpageant.I didMissEmeraldInternational,avirtualpageantduringCOVIDandplaced second.IalsocompetedinMissWorld

HerrecentMissGlobalInternational-Guyanawinwas unique.BeyondrepresentingGuyanaontheglobalstage again,thelocallegsawArianreinventherself.ArianalsoexplainedthattheMissGlobalInternational-GuyanaPageant’s structureisquitedifferentfromherpreviousexperiences.“For MissGlobalInternationalGuyana,50girlsapplied.Forthe firstround,wewerejudgedbasedoninterviews.Iwasinthe topthree,andweweretheninvitedtocompeteinfourcategoriesthatassessedourwalk,ourpublicspeaking,ourtalentand ourFinalQuestioncapabilities,”Arianexplained.“TheMGIG teamdesignedthepageanttobeahand-selectedprocessratherthanafull-fledgedevent.Theyexplainedtousthatthey wantedtomeetandcloselyassesseachyoungwomanwho appliedtoensuretheirselectionwasthebestpossibleoptionto representGuyana.Iappreciatethisuniqueanddirectapproach thattheteamhas.Throughouttheprocess,Iwasnervousand didawholerebranding,tryingdifferentthings.Isteppedout ofmycomfortzoneandIamhappyIdid.”

Thewayforward:Arian’snextsteps

Movingtowardstheworldstage,Arianaimstocontinue herwinningstreakandcollaboratewithvisionarybusinesswomanandnationaldirectorofMissGlobalInternational Guyana,ReneéChester.Arianstated,“Youcanexpectmeto continueworkingwithReneéChester.Reneéandherteam havedoneaphenomenaljobatrespectingGuyana’swomen. Movingforward,shealsoseesthepageantassomethingthat benefitsGuyanasociety.Asidefrommyprojectthatshe’ssupporting,whichisourannualsummercampforyouthdevelopmentinGuyana,wehavearichcalendarofactivitiesplanned, includinganeducationalschooltour,foodandclothingdrives andothercharitableventures.”Asshepreparestorepresent GuyanaintheCaymanIslandslaterthisyear,Arianrevealed thatshewillalsobeexposedtocomprehensivetrainingin modelling,posing,etiquette,publicspeaking,fitnessandother taskstohoneherskillsfortheinternationalstage.

Arian’smessagetoyoungGuyaneseistobelievein themselvesandhavethecouragetopursuehappiness.As shesays,happinessispursuingone’sdreams.“Peopletold methatyou’renotbiggerthanyourenvironment.Butlook outsideforinspiration.Therearepeoplewithdisabilities ingovernmentalpositions,peoplewhohavebeenraped andnowhavebillion-dollarempires.It’snoteasy,butit’s worthit.Buildalegacyyou’reproudof.Loveyourselfthe wayyouloveothers.Thiseconomystripsself-lovefrom children,teachingthemthateitheryou’resuccessfulor you’rescum.Successisaboutpursuingyourdreamsregardlessofobstacles.”

DEVONWebster,known byhisstagename‘MaestroKaiso,’islookingforwardtohisvisittoGuyanaandhisperformance atthe11theditionofthe EmancipationJazzand SoulConcertonAugust4 ledbypopularGuyanese musicians,BonnyAlves andhiswife,Charmaine Blackman-Alves.

Bornandraisedin Brooklyn,NewYork,Devon,a33-year-oldviolinist, hasnativeGuyaneseparents, andinaninterviewwith PepperpotMagazineafew daysago,hesharedthathis curiosityabouthisGuyanese heritagehasgrownwitheach passingyear.

Hehasbeenplaying theviolinfor20years,but, professionally,hehasbeen doingsofor10years.“I startedplayingatweddings andpartiesandfundraisers, corporateevents;Ibuiltalot ofmyskillsjustbyplaying atthesubwaysandspending hoursandhoursplayingfor strangers,”heexpressed.

“Thebeautifulthing aboutmusicisthatitcreated somanydifferentopportunitiesformetomakealiving, network,havefun,allthe whileexpressingmyself,and IamfindingasIamgetting older,mycuriosityofwhere myfamilyiscomingfrom hasbeenincreasing,”he shared.

RaisedbyhisGuyanese immigrantparents,Devon wasactivelysupportedalong hismusicaljourney.Atthe ageofsix,hewasenrolled inpianolessonsafterdemon-

stratinganaturalaptitudefor musicandbeingabletoplay byear.Devonwouldgoon tolearntheviolinandplay inhishighschoolorchestra.

Duringthistime,he earnedascholarshipto takeprivatelessonsatthe BloomingdaleSchoolof MusicinManhattan.Starting in2012,whileatBrooklyn College,Devonwouldbegin takingworkperformingat privateevents.

In2016,Devonbeganto freelanceandperforminthe subwaysaroundNewYork City,wantingtoexpandas aprofessionalmusicianand createmoreopportunities tobuildhisnetwork.He continuestodoso,having beenfeaturedasoneofNew York’sprominentstreetperformersontheKellyClarksonshowin2023.Outside ofstreetperforming,Devon stillprimarilyplaysatprivate eventsandisembarkingon anewjourneytocompose musicforvideogamesand filmscores.

Withthisopportunity tocometoGuyana,Devon saidheishopingtodoalot ofsightseeing.“Andtojust openmymindandlearn aboutmyheritageandlisten toold-timestoriesasthey say.Mymomiscoming along,anditwillreallybea goodopportunitytobondand increasemyawareness.”

SsignalProductions,led byAlvesandBlackman,is allsettoproducethe11th editionoftheEmancipation Concert,whichtheystarted in2013atUmanaYana.

Mr.Alves,inaninter-

viewwiththispublication, saidthatafterobservingthe declineofjazzmusicfora numberofyears,hewanted todosomethingtorejuvenate hisinterestinpolyrhythms andblues.

“Atonetime,itwasvery popular,”hereflected,adding,“SideWalkCafédida goodjobkeepingitgoingfor anumberofyears.Butthen thatdiedtoo,andIalways wantedtoresuscitatejazz music.”

Hedecidedthathosting anannualconcertwasthe bestwaytokeepthejazz melodiesswingingandthe besttimewouldbeincelebrationofEmancipation, whereAfro-Guyaneseartisteswouldbeallowedthe stagetosharetheirtalents.

Itisanticipatedthatthe concertwillseeabout500 patrons.AccordingtoMr. Alves,manyarelooking forwardtothisyear’sevent astherehasnotbeenmuch jazzactivityinthecountry.

Hesaidtheshowwill bedifferentthisyearin thatitwillfeatureDevon, theviolinist.“Heisvery goodandaviolinistplayingjazzmusic….itwould beatreattocomeand hearhimplay.”

MAYNAWATTIETiwari wantedtogivebacktoher communityandthoughtof nobetterwaythantoempowerthepeoplethrough theKingelly’sBrahn’s FarmersGroup,producing organiccropswhichare soldtomarketvendors.

Theirmaincropiscelery, whichisverypriceyonthe market,comparedtoother traditionalcrops.

ShestartedtheKingelly’sBrahn’sFramersGroup inMarchlastyear,andthey have10members,including fivemen,whogrowtheir owncropsintheiryardspaces.

TiwaritoldthePepperpot Magazinethatsheislooking forwardtoestablishingtheir ownshadehouse,whichwill belocatedonprivatelandat Lot23KingellyVillage,West CoastBerbice.

SheisateacheratNovar SecondarySchoolandwantedtoempowerpeopleinher villagewhowereotherwise unemployedandcouldnot findwork.

Today,theKingelly’s Brahn’sFarmersGrouphas 10farmers,someofwhom arewomenwhogrowcrops intheiryardsandalmostall ofthemhaveatleasttwo bedsofceleryinadditionto others.

The25-year-oldreported thatshemovedtoKingelly Village,WestCoastBerbice, in2008.Duringthattime shewouldoftenseepeople engagedinvarioustypesof farming.

“WhenIwasinForm Four,myagricultureteacher,

TiwaritoldthePepperpot Magazinethatthemoney receivedfromhergrandfather wasusedfortransportation, topayforafter-schoollessons,printingofSBAs,and purchasingsnacksforschool.

EventhoughTiwari savedmoneybywalking toschoolandfromlessons tohome,shemanagedthe moneybetterandbudgeted formuch-neededthingsshe hadtouseforschool,suchas worksheets.

“Backthen,mymother wasrearingmeatbirds,and Iwouldusetheirdungafter dryingitasfertiliserformy plants;butaftermygrandfatherdied,sodidthegarden. Thebajieeleavesturnedyellow,andIdidn’tknowwhat todo,andIhadtoleavefor college(CPCE),”shesaid.

Tiwariaddedthather mothertookoverthegardeningandplantedboulanger shesold,andwhenitwas plentiful,shealsogavetothe neighbours.

abouthowmyvillagerscanmanage theirgardensduring thesunandthe rains.Then,shedecidedtotypeoutan agriculturalconcept planandsubmitit tothegovernmentoutreach in2023.

askedtheneighbourUncle Leroyforaredstembajieeto whichhegaveusthelongest stem.Mygrandfathercutthe stemshortandleavesandput itinthecontainerandtold metowateriteveryday,” shesaid.

Theentrepreneurstated thataftershereturnedhome fromCPCE,shewaselatedto seethetransformationofthe deadgardenintoablooming spacewithcrops.

Tiwariexplainedthat allcropsgrownarestrictly organic,sincetheydonotuse pesticidesordrugsandhave alternativemeasuressuchas boilingneemleafandsprayingtheaffectedplantstoget ridofpests.

Findingpurposefrom ayoungage

MissCasceeWard,gavethe classapracticalhomework thatwastoplantredstem bajiee[plant]usingmanure orfertiliser.Iwenthomeand toldmygrandfatheraboutthe homeworkandhegotalittle icecreambowl,filleditwith manureandboretwoholes inthecontainer.Hewentand

Tiwarireportedthatshe carriedthestemtoschool thenextdayandwateredit everyday.Fromthentothe endoftheterm,theonestem becameaplantandwasready togrowontheground.

However,shebegan teachingandhardlypaid attentiontoit,sincework hadconsumedmostofher daylighthours.

Thebirthofanew project

Meanwhile,becauseof thepandemic,Tiwariwas

Sheexplainedthatwhen shetookithome,hergrandfathercleanedapproximately fivebanksinthebackyardfor gardeningpurposes.

“Fromthere,after months,wewereableto harvestandselltotheneighboursincesheusedtosellat themarketinGeorgetown,” shesaid.

confinedtoherhomemost ofthetimeanddecidedtogo backtothegarden.

Hermotherplanted ochro,peppers,callaloo (bajiee),boulanger,tomato, celery,eschallot,blackeye beans,bandanyaranded beans.

Astimeprogressed,Tiwari’sthoughtswandered

Tiwarireportedthat duringAprilofthesame year(2023),shereceiveda callrespondingtotheagriculturalconceptplanfora shadehouseforcommunity members.

asathrivingandsustainable operationthatservesasa modelforenvironmentally friendlyandsociallyresponsibleagriculture.Weseethe farmbecomingacornerstoneofthelocalcommunity, knownforitshigh-quality produceandcommitmentto organicpractices,”shesaid.

Assuch,avisitwasmade tothesite,andestimateswere madewithadiscussiononthe wayforwardfortheproject. Fromthefirstmeeting,about 30peoplefromthecommunityattended.

Tiwarinotedthatasthe monthswentby,theywere downto10members,four menandsixwomen.

Shestatedthatthemembersofthegrouparethe grassrootspeoplecomprising twovillages,Kingellyand Brahn,thusinspiringthe nameofthegroupKingelly’s Brahn’sFarmersGroup.

TiwaritoldthePepperpot Magazinethatsincethefarmers’groupestablishment,they hadcultivatedstrictlyorganic vegetableswithintheiryards, suchaslettuce,boulanger, celery,peppers,bora,and floweringplants.

“Wearehopingtoextend ourproductionincelery,coconutoil,anyotheragro-processingproductsfruitsand vegetables.Weenvisionour vegetable-farmingbusiness

Aschairpersonofthe farmers’group,Tiwariexplainedthatthemembers ofthegroupaimtoexpand theirfarmingoperations,increasingboththevarietyand quantityofvegetablesgrown, whilemaintainingafocuson soilhealthandbiodiversity.

Shestatedthattheyintendtomaximiseproductivitywhileminimisingenvironmentalimpactbyimplementinginnovativetechniques suchasprecisionfarmingand verticalgardening.

“Furthermore,weenvisionourfarmasahubfor educationandoutreach, offeringworkshopsand tourstoinspireothersto pursuesustainablefarmingpractices.Byfostering connectionswithconsumersthroughfarmers’markets,NAREIprogrammes, andpartnershipswithlocal restaurantsandgrocery stores,weaimtocreatea directandtransparentsupplychainthatbenefitsboth customersandthelocal economy,”Tiwarisaid.

‘Avie’sLittleThings’creatingbigimpact

ByMichelOutridge

DEONJessamyimagined herselfdoingmanythings, sincesheismulti-talented, butneverknewshehadthe potentialofbecomingan entrepreneurwhowould successfullyacquireher ownsmallbusiness,“Avie’s LittleThings.”

Withtheknackforcreatingsomethingoutofnothing, Jessamyalwaysknewshe wasbuiltdifferently.Shehad thatlittleextrapatienceto takeonprojects,wasalways goodwithherhands,and wantedtodosomethingthat wouldmakeherhappy.

Duringthepandemic, asasalonowner,Jessamy’s smallbusinesssuffereda blowmuchlikemanyothers duringthattime.Asaresult, thereweren’tanycustomers, sosheknewshehadtodo somethingelseforwork.

Shebegansearchingthe internetandfoundavideoof someonemakingjewellery frompolymerclay,which piquedherinterest.

“Inmymind,afterlookingatthevideo,IknewI

couldmaketheearrings andafterconvincingmyself Ihavethetalenttodoit,I begansourcingthematerialsandthepastamachine tomakeitareality,”she said.

JessamytoldthePepperpotMagazinethatafter shegoteverythingtomake jewelsfrompolymerclay, whichwereimportedandnot locallyproduced,shemade afewpiecesofearringsand giftedthemtoherfriendsand family.

Theywerepleasedwith herhand-madepiecesand encouragedhertomakeit intoasmallbusiness,andshe waspleasantlymotivatedto putitintomotion.

Namedafterheronly child,adaughter,Avigail, shenamedhersmallbusiness “Avie’sLittleThings”and beganmakinghandbands, necklaces,earings,bracelets andsomeGuyanese-themed itemsforsale.

Jessamystatedthatitwas thenhersmallbusinessbegan tobloom,andherpieces wereindemand.Having participatedinseverallocal andoverseasexpos,shehas gainedrecognitionforher talent. The34-year-oldrelated

thatwhenSoniaNoelhosted theWomeninBusinessExpo in2022,sheparticipated,and theresponsetoherpieces wasoverwhelming.

Jessamypointedoutthat shewantedtodothingsright. Basedonadvice,shesigned upwiththeGuyanaManufacturingandServicesAssociationLimited(GSMA) andwenttoBarbadosforan expo.

Shenotedthatshealso wenttoStVincentandthe Grenadines,andpeoplecould notgetenoughofherproducts.Shehadtoestablisha networktohaveherhandmadepiecesinalocalsalon ontheisland.

Jessamybegantomarket hersmallbusinessandparticipatedintheGuyanaFestival ExpointheUnitedStatesof America,whereallherGuyanaflagearringsweresold outin2023.

Asasmall-business owner,shereportedthather businesshasbeengrowing withbothlocalandoverseas support,andsheisalsoan interiordecoratorwhocaters toallfunctions.

Withthebirthofthese twobusinesses,Jessamytold thePepperpotMagazinethat hertimeistakenup,andshe likescreatingthingsthatobviouslybringjoytopeople throughartandcraft.

“Myjoyalwayscomes fromwatchingpeople’sfaces whentheyacquireapieceof myjewelsorwhenIfinish decoratingtheplaceofan eventIwashiredto.Itgives measenseoffulfilmentthat IhaveaccomplishedwhatI setoutto,”shesaid.

Jessamyenvisionsthatin thenextfiveyears,shewould liketohaveastorefrontbusinesstoproducecustomised artsandcraftandexpandher smallbusinessestocreate employmentforothers.

Sheexplainedthatwhen sheestablished“Avie’sLittleThings”itwasforher daughter,andallproceeds gotowardshereducationand upbringing.

“Ihavethemindsetto createalastingimpression.I createdthisbusinessformy childbecauseIwanttoleave alegacy,generationalwealth formyfamilyandoffspring, soIamalwaysgearedtowardsimprovingmyskills,” shesaid.

Jessamybelieves thatyoungpeopleorany like-mindedpersonshould developamindsetofnot settlingforless,pushthemselvestostaymotivated,and gainempowermentviaskills training.

ShetoldthePepperpot Magazinethatsinceshe wasyoung,shehadalways felttheneedtosharpenher skillsandutilisedtraining opportunitiesincosmology courses,hairdressing,floral art,cake-making/decoration, painting,andarchitectural drawings.

Jessamywantedtobecomeanarchitectbutwent ontopursueothertalentsand becomeself-employed.

Sheisalsothekindof personwhoisproudofher creationsandwearsher earringsandotherjewelsto showcasehertalent.

DefiantBodies

DiscussingqueerbodiesintheAnglophoneCaribbean

DEFIANCEmanifestsin myriadways.Severalyears ago,writerandprofessor NikoliAttaiembarkedon ajourneytocaptureand observeoneparticularexampleofthehumanspirit’s resilience.Whatbeganasa studyquicklyevolvedinto thedevelopmentofabook. AsAttaitraversedtheCaribbean,seekingstoriesof strengthandcourage,he foundhimselfconstantly inspired.

Publishedlastyear,his booktitled“DefiantBodies: MakingQueerBodiesin theAnglophoneCaribbean” waslaunchedinGuyana.It narratesthestoriesofreal peoplefromtheCaribbean’s “bigfour”:TrinidadandTobago,Jamaica,Barbados,and Guyana.Inaninterviewwith thePepperpotMagazine,Attaidiscussedhisinspiration behindthebook,theimpact hehopestomake,andGuyana’ssignificantroleinhis inspiringresearch.

WhoisNikoliAttai?

Attai’sbooklaunchwas accompaniedbyasymposiumthatigniteddiscussionsonsomeofthemost pressingchallengesfacedby theLGBTQcommunityin Guyanaandthroughoutthe Caribbean.Hisbookamplifiesthevoicesofcommunity members,offeringaplatform fortheirexperiencestobe heard.

AttaiisanAssistantProfessorofEthnicStudies,specialisinginBlackqueerand feministstudies.Heholdsa PhDinWomenandGender StudiesfromtheUniversity ofToronto,aMasterofPhilosophyinCulturalStudies, andaBachelorofArtsin MediaandCommunication fromtheUniversityofthe WestIndies.While“Defiant

Bodies”ishisfirstbook,Attaisaysit’sjustthebeginning ofhisliteraryjourney.

Reflectingonthebook’s development,muchofwhich occurredduringthepandemic,Attaishared,“Isawall theseculturalshiftshappening.Behindcloseddoors,and evenduringtheCOVID-19 lockdownperiodinTrinidad,IwasinTrinidadfora bit,andwehadtodoalot ofworkwithvariouscommunities,withteachers,with politiciansandsoon.Andwe werehavingreallyimportant conversationsonapersonal levelwiththeseThesediscussionsandprofoundlypersonalstoriesAttaiencountered becamethedrivingforce behind“DefiantBodies.”

DefiantBodies

Trinidadianbybirth,Attai haslongharbouredafascinationfortwosubjects:gender studiesandtheCaribbean. Hisdebutbookseamlessly mergesthesetwointerests. Originatingasastudyfor hisPhDresearch,“Defiant Bodies”drawscomparisons betweencountries,communities,andindividuals.Guyana stoodoutinmanyregards, asAttaiexplains:“Guyana definitelyplayedabigrole inthebook.So,thefirsttwo chapterswhereItalkabout activismandthewaysthat theorganisationsarenegotiatingfunding,Ispendalotof timetalkingaboutwhatIsee happeninginGuyana.”

Aimingtocaptureacomprehensivepicture,Attaiexploredthequeerexperience atalllevels.Heelaborates, “Thefirstchapterisreally mappingtheinternational landscape,howthefunding moneygetsintotheCaribbeanthrough[the]UNand theseplaces.Thenthesecondchapter,Ilookatunder-

ground,howthey’renegotiatingthepoliticsunderground.”

Commencinghisstudy in2016,Attaihasdedicated thelasteightyearstoimmersinghimselfintheclubs, nightspots,andrumshops throughouttheCaribbean, unearthinguntoldstories. Hisbookexploresthetopic onabroaderscale,presenting varyingperspectives.While Attaiseekstocapturestories atthegrassrootslevel,healso sharesviewsfromapolitical standpoint,underscoringthe complexityofqueerexperiencesintheCaribbean.

Attai’sintentionfor“DefiantBodies”istochallenge perceptions.Primarily,he aimstobringthehumanaspecttotheforefront,helping readersunderstandthatqueer experiencesarefundamentallyhumanexperiences.Ashe states,“Thereisthisideathat, orthisnarrativethatqueer life,translifeisonlyabout, sowecan’thidemyviolence anddeathanddiseaseand stuff.Butwhenwesitwith thesecommunities,weknow thatthere’ssomuchmore. Peoplehavetheagencyto negotiatethisviolenceand thisdiscrimination.Andin reallyinterestingways.”

SparkingDiscussions

Attai’sfirstbookwasa majorundertakinginvolving yearsspentintheCaribbean exploringthelesser-known aspectsofsociety.Hiswork hasigniteddiscussionsacross variousareasintheCaribbean,achievingtheimpact hehopedfor.Thisisjustthe beginning,Attaiasserts,mentioningthatheisworkingon asecondbookthatiscurrentlybeingreviewedatRutgers UniversityPress. Moreover,Attaiisworkingonpreservingthehistoryofqueerpeopleand

NikoliAttai,authorofDefiantBodies(ShanieceBamfieldPhotos)

theirlivesthroughphotographs.Heexplains,“I’m alsoworkingonaqueerarchiveofTrinidad,Jamaica fromthe1960stopresent, wherewe’redigitisingclose to5,000imagesandvideosandstuff,andcreatinga timelinetochartthishistory.”

Attai’shopeforhisbookand hisworkonabroaderscale

istocreateaconversation starter,usinghisresearchas acatalysttofacilitatedifficult discussionsonanoften-silencedtopic.

Through“DefiantBodies”andhisongoingprojects,NikoliAttaicontinues toshedlightonthediverse experiencesofqueerindividualsintheCaribbean,

challengingstereotypesand fosteringgreaterunderstanding.Hisworkserves asatestamenttotheresilienceandcomplexityof queerlives,invitingreaders toengagewiththesestories andcontributetoamore inclusivedialogue.

InsightintoPortMourant

ACommunityLeader’sPerspective

alcommunityhasblossomed intooneofthecountry’s highlights.Thisweek,the PepperpotMagazinesought totakeastepbackandlook atthePortMourantvillage ofManager’sCompound;to examinethechange,beauty, andprofounddevelopment PortMouranthasundergone tobecomethemagnificent townshipitistoday.

districts,PortMourantis oneofGuyana’slargestand mostdiversecommunities. AmongthebeautifulassortmentofpeopleisPastorVernonD’Oliveira.Thepastor andwell-knowncommunity leaderwasbornandraised acrossthecountryinBartica. HavingmovedtotheCorentynemorethanfourdecades ago,PastorD’Oliveirasays

THEbustlingtownshipof PortMourantisknown formanythings.Itisthe birthplaceofCheddiJagan,homeofthefamous Guyaneseestablishment, Spready’s,andhasgivenrisetosomeofGuyana’sbestcricketers.But thetownismorethan busymarkets,businesses, andtheconstantnoiseof change. Theonce-littleagricultur-

Hometomorethan5,000 peopleacrossitsmanysub-

henowconsidershimselfa ‘Berbician’.

SpeakingtothePepperpotMagazine,PastorD’Oliveirasharedhisjourneyto thecountyofBerbice.He cametothecommunityasan adventurousandambitious youngpreacherwhofound hisplaceinPortMourant.As heshared,“WhentheLord calledmetopreach,Istarted asayoungpreacher.Iwould gotodifferentplacesand preach.Afriendbroughtme heretoCorentyne.Istayed permanently.ButIdidnot initiallycometostay… [but]thenIgotmarriedand settled.”

PortMourantoftodayis abrightandbustlingplace thatservesasthehome, workplace,andhotspotfor thousands.However,accordingtoPastorD’Oliveira,the villagewasnotalwaysas overwhelmingandexciting

asitistoday.Morethan 40yearsago,PortMourant wasaquiet,humbleplace andwasseenasmuchless

lively;itwashometoso fewthatpeopledescribed thecommunityas‘dead.’As PastorD’Oliveiraexplained,

“IrecallwhenIcamehere, theyusedtosaytheplace

ByShaniyaHarding

THEPortMourantmarketisavibranthuboflife andexcitement,serving asbothhomeandworkplaceforthousands.This bustlingmarketplaceis anintegralpartofPort Mourant’sidentity,with hundredsofvendorssetting upshopdailytosellhomegrownproduce,handmade sauces,andanarrayof essentialgoods.Conrad Campbellstandsamong themanymerchantswith theirbright,invitingstalls, signaturecalls,anddiverse wares.

APartoftheCommunity

Conradfirstestablished hispresenceinthePortMourantmarketin1989,becomingafixtureamongthe

APortMourantvendorshareshisstory

Althoughhedoesn’treside there,hispresenceandcontributionshavemadehima familiarandrespectedfigure inthecommunity.

“Iamawell-knownman inthearea.Notjustinthe area,really,”Conradshared withthePepperpotMagazineduringaconversationat hismarketstand.Bornand raisedinLiverpool,alsoon theCorentyne,Conradnoted thestarkdifferencesbetween hisbirthplaceandPortMourant.“Liverpoolwasaquiet community.Istartedrearing cattlethere,thenIjoinedthe army,”herecalled.

ConradconsidershimselfatrueCorentyneman, havinglivedinmanyplaces alongCorentyneandspendingmostofhistimeinPort Mourant.Likemanyoth-

BusinessintheRegion Assomeoneattheheart oftheregion’scommercial operations,Conradoffered insightsintotheinnerworkingsoftherenownedPort Mourantmarket.Themarket servesasthego-toplace forallnecessities,particularlyfreshproduce.However,Conradexplainedthat mostvendorsareretailers ratherthanproducers,“I’ve beensellingheresince1989. Somecommoditieswehave topurchaseareveryexpensive.Rightnow,Boulangeris expensive,justliketomatoes. Wecometothemarketand purchasefromwholesalers. Mostpeoplethatsellhereare retailers.”

Whenaskedabout farming,Conradrevealed aninterestingaspectofhis

numerousmenandwomen whocallthisbustlingbazaar theirworkplace.Overthe years,throughcountlessinteractionswithpeoplefrom nearbycommunities,particularlyManager’sCompound, Conradhasbecomeanintegralpartofthelocalsocial tapestry.

Knownaffectionately as‘Rastaman’,amoniker earnedfromyearsofselling hisgreensattheentranceof Manager’sCompound,Conradhasemergedasanhonorarymemberofthevillage.

ersthePepperpotMagazine hasencountered,Conrad’s journeytothePortMourant marketwasinfluencedby love.Since1989,Conradand hiswifeboughtandresold greensuntilherpassinga yearago.“I’vebeendoing businesssinceIcamehere.I gotmyselfajobasavendor withawoman.Unfortunately forme,shepassedabouta yearago,andIdecidedto continuethebusiness.The business,atcertaintimes,is nice,andatcertaintimes,it’s veryrough,”hereflected.

background.“Iamcertified academicallyinagriculturalscience.ButIdon’tlike doingagriculturalwork.I wouldgoaroundfarms,see howyou’redoing,andgive advice,butIdon’tlikefarmingmyself,”heexplained. Thispreferencefortrade overagricultureshapedhis careerpath.

Conradalsoshedlight onthediverseemployment landscapeinPortMourant. Beyondthemarketvendors andentrepreneurs,manyresidentsfindworkintraditional

industries.“Mostoftheguys inthisareaaredoingcane cuttingorrebuildingstreets. Somepeoplearedoingthe ten-daywork.Mostguys aredoingcane-cutting,”he observed,paintingapicture ofacommunitybalancing traditionallabourwithentrepreneurialpursuits.

Arichlifeexperience

Conrad’slifeexperiences extendfarbeyondtheboundariesofPortMourant.His timeinthearmytookhimto variouspartsofGuyana,givinghimauniqueperspective onhishomeregion.“Iwent toplaceslikeMabarumaand Jonestown.Iwasalecturer

inthearmy,asergeant,anda traininginstructor.Iusedto trainpeopleinthearmy,”he recounted.

Theseexperienceshave onlydeepenedhisappreciationforPortMourantand itssurroundings.“Guyana isawonderfulcountry,but comparingotherplacesto Burmese,it’sdifferent.In Burmese,peopleareself-employed,doingcanecutting. Theylovetheirsociallife hereinPortMourant,”he noted,highlightingthearea’s uniquecharacter.

Now64,Conradhasembracedamoresimplistic lifestyle,focusingonhis businesswhilecherishing

hisroleasafatherofsix andgrandfatheroffive.His journeyfromLiverpoolto PortMourant,fromcattle rearertoarmysergeantto marketvendor,exemplifies theadaptabilityandresilience ofthepeopleinthisregion. Likesomanyothers, Conrad’sstoryismore thanjustapersonalnarrative;it’sawindowintothe evolvinglandscapeofPort MourantandthebroaderCorentynecoast.The regionhascraftedamix oftraditionaloccupations likecane-cuttingwiththe entrepreneurialspiritofthe market.

ByShaniyaHarding

Talkingaboutcommunityandpersonalchange.

EVERYcommunityhas itsuniquecharacteristics, andManager’sCompound inthetownshipofPort Mourantisnoexception. Nestledintheheartofthe town,thisvibrantneighbourhoodhasattracted adiversemixofpeople fromallcornersofGuyana.Amongthemanyresidentsofthiscommunityis ChaindraBaboolall,whose storyreflectsthechanges andgrowthbothheand theareahaveexperienced overtheyears.Bornand raisedinneighbouring Rosehall,Chaindrashared hisexperiences,challenges, andobservationsaboutthe communityandregion’s undeniabletransformation. Familycircumstances oftenshapeourlives,but Chaindrawasdeterminednot toletearlychallengesdefine hisfuture.Helosthisfather whenhewasbarelyayear old,alossthatsignificantly impactedhisfamily’sdynamics.“Ineverreallyknewmy father;hediedwhenIwas justoneyearold.Inmyfam-

ily,therewerefivebrothers andonesister,”Chaindrarecounted.Heandhissiblings learnedindependenceatan earlyage,eachbranchingoff andleavinghomeassoonas theycouldtopavetheirown paths.

GrowingupinRosehall, aplacenotmuchdifferent fromPortMourant,presented itsfairshareofchallenges forChaindra.Comingfrom amiddle-incomefamily, hesoughtworkveryearly. Whilebothcommunities offeredvariousjobopportunities,optionswerelimited forayoungmanfreshoutof school.Chaindra’sentryinto theworkforcebeganatabakery.“Istartedworkingwhen Iwasverysmall.Sincethen, Ihaveworkedinplentyof places.Ifirststartedatabakery,thenIwasacanecutter, butthatdidnotreallysuitme; soIwentintoconstruction,” heexplainedtothePepperpot Magazine.

Reflectingonhispast challenges,Chaindraspoke ofhismotherasoneofhis biggestinspirations.Hegrew upwatchingherworklong daysatthesugarestate,yet

thefamilystillstruggledto makeendsmeet.“Inthose days,thingsweredifferent fromtoday.Ineverliked estatework,butmymother usedtoworkattheestate. Andstill,themoneywegot didnotusetoshowup;itwas neverbig.Atthattime,we hadthingsliketwenty-five centsandonedollar.Weneverreallyhadalotofmoney,” hereminisced,highlighting theeconomichardshipsof thetime.

However,timeshave definitelychanged.ThePort MourantandRosehallof yesteryearhaveblossomed intocaptivatingplaces,overflowingwithvibrantpeople andcountlessopportunities. ChaindramovedtoManager’sCompoundashorttime ago,andhewitnessedpositivechangesinthecommunityatthattime.Manager’s Compoundisaquiet,cozy housingschemetuckedaway justofftheroadinPortMourant.Itstandsatthecentreof thetownship’smanybusiness ventures,witheverything fromhospitalsandschoolsto supermarketsandrestaurants allwithinamile’sradius,

offeringitsresidentsunparalleledconvenience.

tomaintain.Speakingabout hisworkinthecommunity, Chaindrashared,“Sofar,the communityisallright;everythingisnearby,andIlikemy work.Ilearnedalotandgot alotofexperience;Ilikethe independence.”

Theclose-knitnatureof thecommunityissomething Chaindraholdsdear.Manager’sCompoundandneighbouringareashavedrawn peoplefromvariouspartsof Guyana,mostseekingnew opportunities.Thisinfluxhas createdauniquecultureof togethernesscraftedbythe village’sdiverseinhabitants. “Livinghereisallright;we havealotofpeoplefromall overtheplace.Welivegood witheachother,”Chaindraexplained,emphasising theharmoniouscoexistence amongresidents.

Chaindrahasestablished himselfintheconstruction industryandisnowself-employed.Inatownthat’sconstantlybuildingandreinventingitself,workissteady.He appreciatesthefast-paced atmosphereofPortMourant whilealsovaluingthepeace andtranquillitythatManager’sCompoundhasmanaged

Thechangesinthe communityhaveparalleled changesinChaindra’spersonallife.Morethanayear ago,hemadethebolddecisiontoconvertfromHinduism,thefaithhewasborn into,toChristianity.Thisdecisionwasmetwithcuriosity fromsomecommunitymembers.“PeopleaskedmewhyI hadtobecomeaChristian.I toldthemitismylife,andit iswhatIwanttodo,”hestated,demonstratinghiscom-

mitmenttopersonalgrowth andself-determination. Chaindra’sstoryisemblematicofthebroader changesoccurringinManager’sCompoundandPort Mourantatlarge.Thearea hasseensignificantdevelopmentininfrastructure, education,andeconomicopportunities.Newbusinesses havesprungup,providing morejobprospectsforlocals. Theimprovedroadnetwork hasmadecommutingeasier, connectingthecommunity moreefficientlytootherparts ofGuyana.

Despitethesechanges, thecommunityhasretained itscharmandclose-knit feel.Traditionalvaluesof neighbourlinessandmutualsupportcontinueto thrive,evenasthearea becomesmoremodernand diverse.Fromhumblebeginningsandearlychallengestofindingstability andgrowth,bothChaindraandhiscommunity haveundergonesignificant transformation.AsPort Mourantcontinuestodevelop,itservesasanexampleofthechangeshappeningacrossGuyana–ablend ofprogressandtradition, wherepersonalgrowthand communitydevelopmentgo handinhand.

TheLegacyofSpready’sinPortMourant Lookingatwhatittakestocraftafamilyenterprise.

ByShaniyaHarding.

INtheever-changing businesslandscapealong theCorentynecoast, Spready’shasbecomea constantnameinpeople’s minds,mouths,andhearts. Startedmanyyearsago byanambitiousmanwith bigdreamsnicknamed Spread,thisneighbourhoodfranchisehasblossomedintoalocalinstitution.

locationsinPortMourant. Comingfromsimplisticbeginnings,Rishalsharedthat growingupinPortMourant wasbothamodestandexcitingaffair.

“Weplayedonthestreets withfriendsrightherein PortMourant.Wewould playcricketandgameson thestreets,”Rishalstated. Thesesimplechildhoodexperienceslaidthefoundation forhisstrongconnectionto thecommunity,afactorthat

Thisweek,asthePepperpotMagazineventured totheCorentyne,ourfocus wasonManager’sCompound,PortMourant.But onecannottalkaboutPort Mourantwithoutmentioning Spready’s.RishalSingh, thegrandsonoftheestablishment’sfounder,isnow responsibleforoneofthree

wouldlaterplayacrucial roleinthesuccessofthe familybusiness.

Butbusinesshadalways beenamajorpartofhislife. Beginningatayoungage, Rishalunderstoodtheins, outs,andunpredictablechallengesofentrepreneurship. “Igrewupinbusinesswith myfatheranduncle.That’s

howI’minthispositiontoday,”heexplained,emphasisingtheinvaluablelessons learnedfromhisfamily’s entrepreneurialspirit.

Today,thebusinesshas grownsignificantly,butit stillholdscommunityvaluesatitsverycore.With threelocationsinPortMourant,Spready’shassought todiversifyitsproducts andserviceswhileremainingacommunitynameand aplaceaffordableforthe peopleofthecommunity. Rishalelaboratedonthe currentstateofthebusiness: “Irunthisaspectofour business,dealingprimarily withautosparesandbuildingconstructionsupplies. Wesupplyhomebuilders andcontractorsandoperate afuelstation.Ourbusiness iscalledSpready’sFuel StationSpareParts.”

Theveryfoundationof Spready’swasjoyandcommunity.AsRishalexplained, thefamilybusinesstook offwithasmallbakery. “ThenameSpreadycomes frommygrandfather.His nicknamewasSpreadbecausehewasinthearmy andspreadjoy.Whenthey openedabakery,theynamed itSpready’s.”Thenameand thejoyitrepresentshave enduredthetestoftime, becomingahouseholdname overtheyears.

Businessesandentrepreneursareoftenconsidered entitiesdrivinghardbargains,alwayssearchingfor betterpricesandmorecustomers.Thisisanideology thatRishalandhisfamily aretryingtodisprove,with integrityandhonestybeing thebackboneofthebusiness,rightnexttocustomer service.“Inbusiness,integ-

rityisoneofthemostimportantthings.You’vealwaysgot tohaveintegrity.Ibelieve insupplyingpeoplewiththe bestqualityfortheirmoney.

Youmustgetwhatyoupay for,”Rishalstatedfirmly. Althoughhispassionfor theversatilefieldofbusiness isvibranttoday,Rishalsays

thiswasnotalwaysthecase. Initially,hestudiedInforma-

SEEPAGEXXVII

“THISisnotgood enough”,;“Iamnotdoing thisfastenough”,“Everyoneisaheadofme”,weall haveourownversionofour innercritic.

Manyfactorsfosterand nurturethisself-doubt,especiallythenegativesocial impactsfromourupbringingandpastandcurrentexperiences.Forexample,if ourchildhoodenvironment stronglyshamesorpunishes minormistakes,wearelikely toenrichthatmindsetaswe age.

Ibelievethereisafundamentalissueinlifethat I’mnotsurewewilleversee change,asit’sabasichuman behaviourand,therefore,is reinforcedrepeatedly.It’sthe tendencytobothgiveand receiverewardandpraise onlywhenthereisdesirable behaviour.Intheinterim, kindnessandaffectionare oftentakenawaywhenthis

desiredbehaviourisn’tfollowed.Itbeginsinchildhood; itisthebasisfortherestof ourinteractionsandourinner saboteurisdevelopedbased onthis.It’showwedevelop our“shouldbe”thoughts;“I shouldbebetteratthis.”

Manyofuspunishourselvesdailyifwedonotdo well;ifonlyweknewthat actionistheultimatepunishmentwiththeworstlife sentence.Theharshtruth isthatmost‘negativeemotions’suchasanger,sadness, jealousyandguiltaredueto ourthoughtsratherthanthe actualsituations.Agood exampletobetterunderstand thisishowmanyofusfeel whenweseeanoldpicture ofourselves.ThemostcommonreactionthatI’vewitnessedis,“WhydidIthink Ilookedbadlythen?Look atmenow!”or“WhatwasI wearing?”.Thisisnotabout ageorculturaltiming;itis

solelyaboutwhatyouthink iscurrentlyvalued;it’sbased onperception,notfact,andI hopeweallknowbynowthat feelings,whilevalid,are notfacts.

Ourentireviewexistsinaself-imposed realminwhichexpectations,standards,and valuesexist.Wesuffer whenwedonotliveup tothese‘requirements’. It’snotallbadasselfdoubtisnecessaryfor improvementandtobe relatablebutformanyof us,it’salsoourbiggest hindrance.

Howcanwerid theseself-enforcing hindrances?

andself-esteembringaction, butactioninsteadbrings themboth.Aneasywayto confirmthisyourselfisto

agreewithyou.Itisalsoa byproductofpeoplepleasing aswetendtobelievethat weseemmorehumbleand

andlonger-lastingeffects thannegative.Forexample, youremployeeismorelikely tochangehis/herbehaviour whenpraisedthan punished.Also, punishmentalways seemstotakelongerdoesn’tit?

Stopthinkingand startdoing.Yes,thereis aneasywaytodothis. Pureactionisnecessary becausewetendtofallvictim tothebeliefthatconfidence

writedowneverythingstoppingyoufromagoal.For example,ifyouwouldlike tostartabusiness,makea visualnoteofeveryreason whyyoubelieveit’snotpossible.Whenyoure-readit, youwillfindthatmostline itemsareinternalratherthan external.Youaregoingto re-readthereasonsforfear, failure,lackofsupport,etc. Thesearefeelingsratherthan concreteissues.Whatistruly self-limitingareyourbeliefs.

Theseself-imposed viewsarealsobasedonour internalmonologue.Wetend toforgettheimportanceof thewordinternalandthat otherpeoplearenotprivy toourthoughtsandfeelings. It’shardtobeobjectiveand sparingwhenyouarethat closetosomething.

Reframehowyouview thesetraits.Mostpeople thinkofperfectionismas askill;it’snot.Thisisnot alwayswell-received,but beingopenlyself-critical hasmuchtodowithothers. Onereasonisthatittendsto leadtoexternalvalidation, asmanypeoplewilljump intoyoursentencetodis-

charming,butthetruthisthat peoplearemoreattractedto confidentandself-assuring people.Again,youcouldbe unconsciouslydoingthese things,somaybedosome self-reflection.

Keepinmindthedeterminedeffectiveprinciple, whichispositivereinforcement.Forthosewhomaynot befamiliarwithpositiveand negativereinforcement,there isthebelievedmyththatnegativereinforcementismore beneficialthanpositive-or maybeweweretrainedto believeit.

Negativereinforcement aimstodecreasenegative behaviour,andpositivereinforcement’sgoalistoincreasepositivebehaviour. Let’suseemployeeengagementasanexample.Negativereinforcementinvolves punishingwhenwrong-such aswriteup’sorberating andpositivereinforcement involvesgivingpraisewhen needed.

In-depthresearchinbehaviourhasdeterminedthat positivereinforcementhas resultedinbothincreased positivebehaviouralchange

Inthequestfor change,wecango backtothebasics fortheepiphany thatnothingbut self-compassion makessensefor growth.Itrequires afewthings:awareness,whichisdefinedastheidentificationandacknowledgementofsuffering;compassion, whichisdefinedas allowingkindness, warmthandunderstandingandnormalisingwhythispainexists. Shameisdefinedasself-devaluation,andpunishmentis definedasintentionalharm. Whichdoyouthinkare mostlikelytoleadtoalleviationandchange?Compassionridspainwhilepunishmentkeepsitalive.

Incaseyoufeelasthough youarealoneinthis,aresearchstudyconductedby UniversityofMichiganin 2014byFreydetal.determinedthatweviewourselves morenegativelythanhowwe areactuallyperceived.It highlightsthespotlighteffect,whichisthenotionthat weoverestimatethetimethat otherpeoplespendthinking aboutus.

Growthisanongoing processthat’shaltedby self-criticism.Toaccelerate growth,weneedtobuild akinderrelationshipwith ourselves;beyourbest friendinsteadofyourworst enemy.Ithinkaboutitall thetime-howmuchbetter wouldweallbeifwereassuredourselveswiththe samegraceandforgiveness wegiveeveryoneelse?

ITwasthemoneyagain thatluredhimtothestreets as‘Joanna’.Jade,atrue fashiondiva,dressedhimto lookstunningandprovocative,andsoitcontinued. Hebecamequitepopular amongspecialclients.

Hismotherstilldidnot knowabouthislineofwork, butthelatenightscontinuedtoworryher. Thatlefthimwith asenseofguilt, thoughthemoneyhewasmaking hadimprovedtheir livesgreatly,even tobeginrefurbishingtheirhome.

Butlifehas aprecedentto change,andfor Jonathan,his mother’ssonand Joanna,thesex worker,therecame achange.

mansaidaggressively,hittingJadewiththegun.

Theywerebothtalland well-builtandwouldhave beatenJademercilesslyif Joannadidnotstepoutof thecar.

“Pleasedon’tbeather,” shepleaded,“Wewereata party.Wedon’tknowanything.”

raisedthegun,pointingitat Jade’shead,“Youwanttosee yourfrienddie?”

Thiswasthedangerthat camewithherlineofwork, andtosaveherfriend’slife, Joannaconsentedtogowith themen.Alongtheway,as theytauntedandteasedher, Joannaprayedsilently.

“Please,Lord,saveme

onewhostolefromme,Iwill makeyoupayforitsoothers likeyoucanlearnnottosteal fromtheirclients.”

“Pleasedon’t,”shepleaded,“Ididn’tdoanything wrong.”

Hehitherwithhisfist andshecouldtastetheblood inhermouth.Theyboth lookedatherwithwickedintent,andasroughhands reachedforher,thesuddensoundofhooves piercedthelonely,quiet area.

Joannaand Jadehadlefta friend’sbirthday bashlatethatnight andastheydrove homefromtheEastBank, ablackSUVappearedfrom nowhere,almostrunning themofftheroad.Jade mashedbrakesharply,his Audiskiddingofftheroad butcomingtoasafestop. Heexitedhisvehicleina rageagainstJoanna’sadvice, unleashingexpletivesatthe twomenfromtheblackSUV untiloneofthemenpulled agun.

“Shutup,”heshoutedangrily,“Whereisyourfriend whostolemygoldandmoney?”

“Idon’tknowwhat you’retalkingabout,”Jade said,steppingbackalittle, “Noneofmygirlsstealfrom anyone.”

“Don’tgivemethat. You’reallthesame.”The

Themanlookedather and,loweringthegun,he saidwithawickedsmile, “Welldamn,whoisthis,a newgirlontheblock?”

“N--no,”Jadeanswered, scaredforherlifebutnot wantingthemtoharrassJoanna.

Theothermanslowly walkedaboutJoanna,lookingatherfromheadtotoe andsaidinathreatening tone,“I’lltellyouwhat, we’lltakeyourfriendhere tospendsometimewithus untilyoufindwhostolethe goldandmoney.”

“No,”Joannarefusedin aslightlytremblingvoice, “I’mnotgoinganywhere withyou.”

“Yeah?”themansaid withdeadlyseriousnessand

fromharmsoIcangohome tomyfamily.”

Theystoppedatadark, lonelyarea,somewhere, thickshrubsborderingthe narrowdirtroad.

Joannalookedaround, thinkingshehadtotryand escape,knowingsomething badwouldhappentoher.

Oneofthemenwasonthe phone,speakinginlow,deep angertosomeoneabouthis encounterwiththetransgenderwhostolefromhim.The nextman,guninthewaist ofhispants,lookedaround toensuretheywerealone.

Joannaslippedoutofher heelsjustintimeasshewas draggedoutoftheSUV.

Shewaspushedroughly againstthevehicle,andthe mansaid,“IfIdon’tfindthat

“Whatthe---?”both menswore,looking upthedirtroadasthe soundcamecloser.

Itwastwohorses comingdowntheroad atafastpace.

Thatdistraction gaveJoannaanopportunitytoescape,and sheplungedintothe thickbrushes,sliding downthesloopandthe sharptwigsrippingher clothesandskin.

Themenshouted angrily,followingher andfiredshotsintothebushes,hopingtohither,but

Joannakeptgoinginthe strangeterrain.Shestopped tocatchherbreathwhenshe couldhearthemnomore,and itwasthenshefeltaburning sensationinherbackandthe bleeding.

Abullethadhither.

Shesatdown,leaning againstatree,gettingweaker fromthelossofbloodand calledJade,butthesignal wastooweaktoreachher.

“AmIgoingtodiehere?” sheaskedinaquivering voice.

Sheleftavoicemailon Jade’sphonesaying,“Whateverhappenstome,please don’tletmymotherseeme likethis.Shemustnever know.”

Andasshelayinthe throesofdeath,abrightlight appeared-amostbeautiful sight.

Afeelingofdeeppeace enteredherbeing,and shefollowedthelightbut reachedacloseddoorthat didnotopen.Asshestood there,sheseemedtoheara voicethatsaid,“It’snotyour time.Returnandbeyourtrue self.”

Jonathanopenedhiseyes slowly,breathingeasily,and ashisvisioncleared,hesaw hismothersittingbyhisside, withtearsinhereyes.

Hewasinahospital ward,flowersbyhisside, andtearsstreameddown hisfaceasherealisedGod hadansweredhisprayersso hecouldcomehometohis family.

“Thankyou,dearLord,” hewhisperedandtriedto smileashismothertouched hisfacebutgrimacedinpain. Hehadtotellhersorryand tellheraboutthehorsesand thestrangeencountergoing intothelight.

Laterthatday,whenJade visitedhim,shetoldhim shehadcomebackwith twomalefriendsandfound him,throughtheGPSonhis watch,barelyalive.

“Itsavedyourlife,so nowyouwillalwayswear itwhenyougooutwithany clients.”

“No,”Jonathantold her,“Thislineofworkis finishedforme,Joannais nomore,justJonathan.”

THEfirststepintheclinicalanalysisoffacialaching istodeterminewhetherthe discomfortisareferred toothacheorapainoriginatingfromafacestructure.Thisincludesbutis notrestrictedtosystems review,familymedicalhistoryandpsychologicalassessment.Emphasismust involvedisordersinvolving theneck,head,throatand nose.

Dentistsoccasionally encounterpatientswhosufferfromanagonisingpain somewhereinthemouth, whichoftenincludesareas ofthefaceandneck.After

routineexamination,however,nothingtojustifythe patient’sagonyisfound.

Thedentistmaythen prescribeanalgesics,unsure ofwhatiscausingthepain. Butfrequently,thepaineithersubsidesmildlyornot atall.Thefrustratedpatient thenseeksthehelpofanotherprofessional,onlyfor theprocesstoberepeated. However,anyastutedentist willknowthat,ingeneral, thediagnosisoffacialpain isacomplexprocess.

Patientswithpsychiatric orpsychologicalproblems couldpresenteitherchronic oracutefacialpain.Itisnot

asimpletaskforadentistto convinceapatientthatthe painfulsensationexperiencedinthefaceoriginates inthepatient’smind.

Therearethirteensystemicdisordersassociated withfacialpain.Ischaemic heartdisease,forexample, producespainthatmaybe referredtotheleftsideof thejaw,especiallycausing themolarstoache.Persons withhighbloodpressure -whenundiagnosedoruncontrolled-experiencevascularheadaches,whichoften radiatetotheneckregion.

Anervousdiseasecalled multiplesclerosisoftenre-

sultsinneuralgia,acondition whichiscommon.Butthe mostsignificantpositive findinginvolvingconnective tissuedisordersarearthritis andsystemiclupuserythematosus.Thiscanaffectthe

aremusclestiffnessandmyalgia;whenundiagnosed, thisdiseasemightactasa perpetuatingfactorinchronic facialpain.

Certainfactorsmayaid indiagnosis.Painthatoccurs

facialpainisnotnecessarilyasimplematter.A carefulassessmentshould bemade.Patientsneed tounderstandthatthe dentistmayquestiontheir psychologicalstatus(social

jointsandmusclesofthe jaw,resultinginmyalgia (muscleache)inthemuscles involvedinchewing.Arthriticinvolvementofthejaw jointsandcervicalspinecan causeheadaches,neckpain andfacialpain.

Significanthistorical findingsinvolvingtheendocrinesystemincludethyroiditisandlowbloodsugar. Commonsignsofthyroidism

afteratraumaticorstressful episodeoftenimpliesthatthe causeisrelatedtoemotional factors.Neuralgiaismostly foundinpersonsover50, althoughyoungerpersons canbeaffected.Jawjointdisordersmostlyaffectpeople betweentheagesof20and 40years.

Itmustbeemphasised thatthediagnosisandconsequentmanagementof

stresses,etc.)andmedical conditions(heartdiseases)toascertaintheexact conditionandarriveat theappropriatetreatment. Finally,wheneverapersonhasapainthatthey believeiscomingfrom atooth,buttheyarenot surewhichtoothitis,they shouldconsiderthatthe painmaynotoriginate fromatooth.

THEREareasmallnumberofterribledisasterswhich haveafflictedhumanityoverthemillenniawhichwill alwaysberememberedaslongashumansexistandthese includethe‘Holocaust’orthemurderoftheJewishPeople bytheNazisandthefourcenturiesofAfricanSlaveryin theCaribbeanandtheAmericas.

DefencelessAfricansweresnatchedawayfromtheir homes,theirwivesandhusbandsandchildrenanddumped intoslaveshipsandtakenacrosstheAtlanticOceaninthe “MiddlePassage”,ajourneyofindescribablehorrorand sufferingwherealargepercentageoftheenslaveddiedbeforetheycouldreachtheCaribbean.Thosewhoreachedthe Caribbeanislandswerethensubjectedtotheworstmentaland physicalcrueltieseverdevisedbyhumanbeings.

Inadditiontowringingtheirlabouroutoftheplantation slaves,theslaverysystemwasdesignedtodestroytheslaves’ humanityandtoweakenthemphysicallywithpoorrations andadailyregimeofwork,whichallowedthemonlytime tosleep.Theslaves,somehow,wereabletodefytheslavery system,andmostofthemretainedtheirphysicalstrength andpreservedtheirhumanity,asattestedbytheirrefusalto acceptslaveryasanormandtheirregularstrikesandprotests, whichculminatedinoccurrencessuchastheBerbiceSlave Rebellionof1763andtheDemeraraSlaveRebellionof1825.

Bytheturnofthe19thcentury,WesternEuropean countries,whichownedmostoftheCaribbeanplantations, werebecomingmorehumanitarianwiththeinfluenceofthe ChristianreligionandthePhilosopheMovement,andthere grewanti-slaverylobbies,especiallyinEnglandandFrance. Theseanti-slaverylobbieswerefurtherstrengthenedbythe realisationthatslaverywasfastbecominganuneconomic modeofproductioninthegrowingworldofIndustrialisation. Englandwasthefirstcountrytoreactbybanningtheslave tradein1807,andtheBritishnavy,whichwasthemostpowerfulintheworldatthetime,tookoffslavesinanyslaveship theyencountered.Thesefreedslaveswereresettledinparts ofWestAfricamostlyinLiberia.Itwasnowonlyamatterof timebeforetheBritishwouldabolishslavery,whichParliamentlegislatedin1833totakeeffectfrom1stAugust1834.

Fullfreedom,however,didnottakeeffectimmediatelyon 1stAugust1834sincethefreedmenhadtocontinuetoserve aperiodof“Apprenticeship”forsixtoeightyearsduring whichtimetheyreceivedasmallwage.Theideabehindthe apprenticeshipschemewastoallowboththeformerslave mastersandslavestoadjusttothenewconditions.The Apprenticeshipschemefailedsincetheslavesfelttheywere short-changedandwantedfullfreedomimmediately,while themajorityofsugarplanterswerehandsomelycompensated forthelossoftheirslaves,andmanyabandonedtheirsugar estates.

The1stAugustwascelebratedasEmancipationDayin 1834,anditwasatimeofquietjoyousness.From5o’clock inthemorning,youngpeoplewentfromdoortodoorcalling “wakeup,EmancipationDay.”HousewivesbeganpreparingAfricandishessuchasmetem-g,cookup,friedground provisionssuchasyams,sweetpotatoes,ripeplantainsand fishcakes,konkie,cassava,andpumpkinpones.Therewas alwaysgingerbeer,swankandpinedrink.Attendingearly churchserviceswiththesingingofthebeautifulVictorianhymnswasacustom,and duringtheday,many,espe-

ciallytheyouth,wouldplay aspeciesofcricketknown as‘Batum-ball’withcoconut branchbatsandsoftballsand dominoes,variouscardgames anddraughts.Intheevening, therewouldbedancesor“soirees”wherethemainmusical instrumentwouldbeAfrican drums.

Thesugarplanters whoremainedinbusiness employedtheirfreedmen and,atthesametime,franticallysoughtindenturedlabourfrommanypartsofthe world,finallysettlingonIndia.Theplantersunderpaid theirfreedmenworkers,who wereforcedtostrike.There weretwomajorstrikesinthe 1840’s;thefirstwassuccessfulandtheworkerswon slightlybetterconditionsbut thesecondfailed,resulting inanexodusfromtheplantations.

Someofthefreedmen settledonanycrownland theyfoundavailable,cultivatingsmallfarms.Theothers

boughtabandonedplantationswheretheyestablished villagesinallthreecounties. Severaloftheseplantations wererenamedwithnames reminiscentoftheEmancipationstruggle,suchasBuxton, who,withClarksonandWilberforce,successfullyagitated bothinParliamentandatpublicmeetingsfortheendingof slavery,whileQueenstownin EssequiboandVictoriainDemerarawerenamedinhonour ofQueenVictoriainwhose reignslaverywasabolished.

Thepurchaseofthese abandonedplantationsand theestablishmentofvillages bythefreedmenremainsone oftheproudestmomentsin Guyana’ssocialandeconomic history.Duringthelastyears ofslavery,theslaveswere permittedtohold‘Sunday Market’wheretheyearned smallsumsofmoney,which theycarefullysaved.They alsosavedthesmallpaythey receivedduringApprenticeship.

Withtheirsavings,they

tooktheriskofpurchasing abandonedsugarestatesin jointownership,markedout theirhouselotsandbuilt housesandotherinfrastructure,becominglandedproprietors.Theirerstwhilemasters feltdisgustedandenviousthat peoplewhomtheyregarded withsuchcontemptcould, insoshortatime,transform themselvesintoentrepreneurs andlandedproprietorsand weredeterminedthatthey shouldfail.Theyneglected thedrainagesystemsand directedsurpluswaterduring therainyseasontofloodthe villagesandhamperagriculture.Despitetheirhostility,thevillagesmanaged tosurviveandproduceda largenumberoftalentedmen andwomenwhostaffedthe variousgovernmentoffices, developedthegoldindustryof thecolonyanddistinguished themselvesinvariousfields inBritainandAmerica.

Acceptingthechallenges ofsavingandinvestment,of riskandentrepreneurship,

ofeducationalachievementandcreativityandof persistenceinovercoming alldifficultiesandwinningsuccessaretraditions

whichourAfricanforebearshavebequeathedto theGuyanesenation-the exampleandspinoffofthe post-EmancipationVillage

Movement-sothatthe newoil-richGuyanacould emergeintooneofthebest andhappiestcountriesin theworld.

ASI’mheadingtowards mymid-twenties,Irealise thatIneedtodeclutter mywardrobeandstart makingmoreconscious fashiondecisions.This realisationwasmadeafter Icameacrossavideothat brieflyexplainedtheconsequencesoffastfashion.

However,theycanbe quiteaffordable,andthe pricetagultimatelyincreasesthedemandfor suchitems.Yes,you’dpay acheaperprice.However, theultimatecostisthe consequenceswehaveto facecollectively,suchas environmentalchallenges

I’vementioned,theoverall costisnotdeterminedonly bymoney.Wemightsavea fewdollars,butisitworth riskingoverfillingourlandfills?Isitworthriskingpollutingourwaterwayswith toxicdyes?Evenifyou’re interestedinfast-fashion items,youshouldtryyour

Likemanyyoungpeople, Iwasgullibleandtried veryhardtokeepupwith trends.Fashiontrends areforeverevolving.New trendsordesignsmight emerge,orevenrecycling mayoccur.Assuch,many youngconsumerswould liketokeepupwiththe trends.

Thiscreatesahighdemandforclothingandaccessories.Withthathigh volumeindemandinmind, manyonlineplatformswere createdoverthepastdecade.Manyofthemwe commonlyknowtodayare basedontheirpopularity andwidevarietyofoptions. Idon’tevenhavetolist thembecauseIamsureyou alreadyknowwhothese giantplatformsare.Unfortunately,theconceptoffast fashionisnotsustainable. Manyoftheclothesare lowqualityandcanonly bewornafewtimesbefore beingdiscarded.

fromtheglobalfast-fashionindustry.Fromthe useoftoxic,synthetic chemicalsormaterials topollutionandeventhe exploitationoflabourand humanrightsareallprices tobepaid.

Thepriceisnotonly determinedbythepricetag, butitshouldbeanoverall costofwhatittakestomake andusetheseitems.The ultimatecostoffastfashion isveryhighonmanylevels. Assuch,Iampleadingwith youalltoreconsideryour stanceonfast-pacedconsumerismandbemoreconsciousabouttheitemsyou purchase—all-inclusive,not justwithfashion.InGuyana,Iamquiteawareofthe economicconstraintsmany ofusfacewhenitcomes tospending.Manypeople mightfeelthesecheaply made,affordablealternativesarethebestoptionfor theirpockets.

Thatmaybetrue,butas

verybesttomaximisethe useofeveryproductto reducewaste.Youcansell themas“pre-loved/owned” itemsorevendonatethem tothelessfortunate.Some peoplewouldpurchase clothessimplytohoardor wearthemonce.

Whateveryouchoose todo,Ihopeyou’remindfulofthecostandoverall consequencesthatwill resultfromcontinuously purchasingsuchitems.It isaseriousthreattoour socialdevelopmentand environmentalhealth.I hopeyoumaketheright choiceanddecisionthe nexttimeyouseeanew trendorsalepopup.We canrecycle,reuse,share, donateandrepurchaseour clothingandaccessories. Wecanmakeconscious decisionsthatallowusto considerthefutureand ourgenerationstocome— notjustselfishreasonsfor temporarysatisfaction.

'Humanitarian...

HumanitarianMissionGuyanaatAnkerville, PortMourant,Corentyne,Berbice

FROMPAGEIIer,andElevatetheunderprivilegedandotherstoimprove theirlivesinvariousspheres.

“Handoutsarenottheanswertobringingaboutpositivechanges.Itisthetemporaryfixtureforthemoment,” Sugrimnoted,adding,“Ourmissionistoempowertheless

Embassyrepresentativesrecentlycollaboratedwiththemissionandotherbodiestoconductawomen’sempowermentandmental resiliencytrainingandfooddonationdrive forresidentsinBerbice

fortunateandothers…tobreakthecycleofpovertythrough lifeskills,education,andcapacitybuilding.”

Theorganisationfocusesonseveralkeyareas:education,health,disability,socialissues,LGBTQ+advocacy, communitydevelopment,singleparenthoodprogrammes andtraining.

“Throughthegenerosityofourdonors,wehavebuilta facilitythatservesasaneducationaloasis.Weoffertraining toindividualsfromvariousbackgrounds,includingthe employed,unemployed,educated,uneducated,andthose fromdysfunctionalhomesorpooreconomicconditions.”

Trainingatthemissionincludesprogrammesin:cosmetology(nails,hair,makeup),cakedecorationcooking, sewing(basicandadvanced),informationtechnology, electricalinstallation(level1),electricalrepairs,barbering, balloondécor,mentalhealthandgender-basedviolence.

Since2015,thousandsofindividualshavegraduatedfromtheprogrammes,with95%beingfemales. Graduatesaresaidtohaveexperiencedimprovements inself-esteem,economicstatus,andoveralllifetransformation.

TheLegacyof Spready’s...

FROMPAGEXI

tionTechnology.Lateron, hedecidedtojointhefamily business,adecisionhenowconsidersthebesthehasever made.“IstudiedcomputerscienceattheUniversityofTain, John’scampus.IdidmyBachelor’sinIT,thendecidedthat wasn’tmypreferredfield.Igotmoreinvolvedwithour businessesandtookoverthisdepartmentafteruniversity. Businesshasbeengood.Everywhereyoucanseethebusinesshasbeenontheincrease.Wehopeitcontinueslike this,”hesharedwithenthusiasm.

Greatserviceandensuringcustomersgettheirmoney’s worthhavemadeSpready’sstandout.Butlikeallbusinesses,theyfacechallenges.Findingworkersseemstobethe biggestissuecurrently,accordingtoRishal.“Rightnow, theonlychallengewehaveisworkers.Kidsdon’twantto workthesedays,”heexplained.Thisobservationreflects abroadertrendinthejobmarket,wherebusinessesoften struggletofinddedicatedemployees.

Despitethischallenge,Rishalexplainedthatcommunityinteractionandrelationships,whichhavekeptthebusinessgoingforaslongasithas,arestillthriving.“Interms ofthecommunity,weinteractwithcustomersandpeople. Everyoneinourcommunityknowsus.Whensomeonehas aproblem,theygotomydadoruncleforhelp.Wealways trytosupportthem.PeoplecomeatnightaskingDadfor help.Theyaskhimbecausehe’solder.Iftheyhaveaproblem,theygotomyuncle.”

Thisdeep-rootedconnectiontothecommunitysets Spready’sapartfrommanyotherbusinesses.It’snotjust aboutsellingproductsorservices;it’saboutbeinganintegralpartofthesocialfabricofPortMourant.TheSingh familyhascreatedabusinessmodelthatgoesbeyondmere transactions,fosteringasenseoftrustandmutualsupport withtheircustomers.

Rishalisadamantaboutcontinuingthefamilybusiness. Moreover,thecommunityhasplayedabiggerrolethan mostwouldthink.Spready’sisanenterprisesupported bythepeoplewho,inturn,supportthepeople.AsRishal stated,“It’smypassion.Ihadtheopportunitytodomany otherthings,butthisiswhatIprefer.”

Lookingtothefuture,Rishalenvisionsexpanding Spready’sreachwhilemaintainingitscorevalues.He hopestointroducenewservicesthatcatertothecommunity’sevolvingneedswhilepreservingthepersonal touchthathasbeenthehallmarkoftheirsuccess.

Insightinto Port...

FROMPAGEII

wasdead.Atthattime,ifyou wenttoRoseHall,itwasa brightplace,abusinessplace, thriving.”

Moreover,thechangeinpacehashadabigandpositive impactonthetownshipand,moreimportantly,forthepeople whocallplaceslikeManager’sCompoundhome.AsPastor D’Oliveiraexplained,thegrowthanddevelopmentofthe communitycanbeseenaroundeverycornerandinevery home.“Buttheninmydays,theyhadthreestores...you hardlyhadvehiclesinthosedays.Irecalltheyhadonehire carin1976.Nowwehavetrafficjamshere.Everysingle day,asyouwouldhavenoticeduphere,trafficjams.Sothat speaksofdevelopment.”

Manager’sCompoundhasretaineditsauthenticityand culturalblendinmanyregards.Thecommunityishometo acaptivatingmixofpeoplefromaroundthecountry.Traditionaljobsandindustriesexistalongsidenewentrepreneurial ventures.Thesedifferenceshavecraftedaunique,accepting, andpeacefulvillagewhereneighboursaremorefamilythan friends.AsthePastorshared,“Wehavealotofcanecutters. Therewillbecanecuttersandfishermen.Thosearethetwo mainindustrieswehavehereintheCorentyne.Itisavery mixedcommunity,too.YouhavetheMuslimcommunity. YouhavetheHinducommunity,andyoualsohavethe Christiancommunity.”

Speakingabitabouthischurchandpersonaljourneyin hisfaith,PastorD’Oliveirasharedthathischurchwasthe onlyonearoundwhenhebeganspreadingthegospel.As heexplained,“Thischurchusedtobefullatonetime.Full. We’retalkingabout400people.Butit’snotsoanymore.Becauseofdifferentreasons.Becauseinthosedays,youdidn’t havealotofotherchurches.Now,peoplehaveachoice.If youdon’tfeellikecominghere,yougosomewhereelse.But whenthischurchwasbuilt,itwastheonlymainchurch.”

PastorD’Oliveira‘smessagetotherestofGuyanais oneofpeaceandappreciationforallthings.Asheshared, “AsaChristian,IknowGodhasbeenblessingus.Iwould lovethatpeoplewillcometothemselvesandthinkabout theLord,thinkaboutGod.Asmuchasweareblessed withmaterialthings,asapastor-asaChristian,Iwould lovetoseethatspiritually,peoplebegintobecomeconsciousthatwenotonlyneedmoneyandmaterialthings, weneedGod.Godhasbeenablessing.Thatismydesire andprayer.Andwe’reworkingtowardsthataswell.”

STUDYSUCCESS

DearStudent, Welcomedearfriend. Sometimesyouareaskedtotiontoaproblemencasedin it.Thispurposeforreading

oftenleadstoachallengingand motivatingkindofactivitywhich requiresadetailedcomprehension ofthetext.Constantlyexaminethe text.Whatisitreallysaying?Perceivewhatproblemitpresentsand solution,itisproofthatthepassage hasbeenunderstood.Bewise.

Loveyou.

IMPROVINGWRITING

Reviewofcharacter,setting andplot

Attentiontolanguage:Agood shortstorycomesalivewithlanguageusedwell;languagethat doesnotpresentreaderswithmuch unravellingofunnecessarywords andphrases.Justwritesimplybut

Writeaboutwhatyoureally know;thisisthekeytoyourstory lifeintoyourcharacterstomake themcompelling;alsointoyour events,andpassions,andsharpen otheraspectsofyourshortstory.

Descriptionisessentialto provokeacrediblementalpicture andcompactwhatyoureallyknow intothemindofyourreader.

Attentiontoplot,setting,character,etc.:Plotiswhathappensin thestory.Thesettingisthetime andplaceofthestory’sevents.The charactersarethosewhoplayarole inthestory.

lemorchallengethemaincharacter mustface.Themeisthemainpoint ofthestory.Theexpositionintroducesthesetting(timeandplace), charactersandplotandmayinclude backgroundinformationonthese elements.

SomethingtoDo:Writeastory involvingcharactersandevents whichyouknowwell.Ofcourse, youwillnotusereal-lifenamesof charactersandsetting.Findother names.Also,impressyourreader youaresaying.

THEPASSAGE

ReadthefollowingAandB passagescarefullyandthenanswer thequestionsbeloweach.

A.HomeworkInterrupted Tabulookedupfromhisbook, madethenoise.Atanarm’slength awayfromhischair,something moved.Ashapeglidedsmoothly alongthewindowframe.Hesawa

Thesnakestoppedandlay withoutmovingItlookeddead Butitwastryingtosenseifany foodwasintheroom.Tabufelt trappedinhischair,yetheknew thathemustwarnhissister.He

thoughtofwhathisfatherhadtoldhimsooften.He wantedtowhisper,buthismouthandtongueweredry withshock.Hedarednotmove.Ifonlyshewouldthingstrangeaboutthesilence,andwhenshesawthe fearonhisface,sheswiftlyshiftedround,lookingat hisglazedeyes.Shemovedherheadtoseewhatthose hergaspofterror.

1.Whathadthesnakecomefor?2.Whywould itstopandliewithoutmoving?3.WhatmadeTabu fearhaveonhim?5.Whywouldhewishtowarnhis sister?WhatdoyouthinkthatTabuwantedtowarn hissistertodoornottodo?6.Whatdoyouthink thatTabu’sfatherhadtoldhimsooften?

7.WhatcausedMasyatolookatTabu?8.Why didshecoverhermouth?9.Whatwouldyouhave doneinTabu’splace?

B.Surrogateparentingisanotheroptionthathas beenexploredinthelastdecade,althoughthelegaland ethicalissuessurroundingthismethodhavenotbeen fullyresolved.Surrogateparentingcantakeseveral forms.Typically,aninfertilecouplewillmakecontact withawoman(thesurrogateparent),whowillthenbe father.Insomeinstances,thesurrogatewillreceivean embryofromthedonorparents.Thesurrogatecarries thefoetustoterm,andreturnsthenewborntotheparents.Insomecases,womenhaveservedassurrogates fortheircloserelatives.Becauseoftheconcernsabout true“ownership”ofthebaby,surrogateparentingmay notbeaparticularlyviableorlegaloptionformany couples.

1.Whatisthemeaningofthefollowingword groups:surrogate,decade,infertilecouple,conception,expectantfather,donorparents,foetus, legaloption.2.Whatisthetopicoftheparagraph? 3.Whatreasoningisthereintheclosingsentenceof theparagraph?4.Writeasummaryofwhatissaid inthepassage.

IMPROVINGWRITING

WritingaLovingStory

Herearesomeimportantpeoplethatyoumight havealreadymetalongtheway.Therearecluesto benoticedasyouread.Observehoweachcharacter plotineachofthecasessetoutbelow. ears,large,green,glassyeyes,andalong,snipnose, sothatitlookedlikeaweather-cockpercheduponhis spindlenecktotellwhichwaythewindblew.Tosee

mighthavemistakenhimforthegeniusofFamine descendingupontheearthorsomescarecroweloped Whatphenomenonisbeingdescribed?Areyounoticingcluestolatchontoforagoodstoryofyours?

(b)Aftersomemomentsofsilence,whichnotone ofusdreamedofbreaking,“Gentlemen,”hesaidina calmandpenetratingvoice,“IspeakFrench,English, is,thatIhavearighttospeakoftheseseas,under which,inlessthan10months,Ihavecrossed20,000 leaguesinthatsubmarinetouroftheworld,whichhas revealedsomanywonders.”Ifyourinterestismaritimetouring,trythisone,then.

WhattoDo:Chooseastimulusfromaboveand coinagoodstory,makinganyjuicyadditionsthat cometomind.Writewithoutstoppinguntilyou havenothingmoretosay,thenedit,proofread, andrewrite.