A deeper passion
Young environmentalist moulding Rupununi youth Hadi Asgar is a young environmentalist originally of Georgetown who fell in love with the beauty and the people of the Rupununi and decided to settle there teaching the young people in the areas of academics and art
SUNDAY MARCH 21, 2021
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
U.S.-based Guyanese using writing to spotlight homeland and Caribbean issues
GROWING up on the East Coast Demerara, Rhea Mursalin developed a strong passion for writing at a young age. When she migrated with her family to Southern California, United States, three years ago, Rhea pursued opportunities to not only advance her writing skills but also utilised her creative abilities to maintain roots and promote her beloved home country of Guyana. Her most recent work published in Brown Girl Magazine, a New York-based online publication, featured the late great Guyanese leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan alongside the recently appointed United States Vice President Kamla Harris, both of whom attended Howard University. As a writer for the magazine, Mursalin contributes to the Indo-Caribbean section, which spotlights a wide array of issues regarding the Caribbean region and the huge West Indian Diaspora in North America. Looking ahead, the 20-year-old plans to focus her writings around issues of mental health, anxieties and depression, which she believes are of major concern in the Caribbean, but often vastly overlooked. She feels these are important matters that should be tackled including at the level of the school system to make the Caribbean population more aware and to better understand the impact. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Mursalin attained her education up to the sec‘The Beach House’, a novel by ondary level in Guyana and Rhea Mursalin is also a graduate of Palomar
Rhea Mursalin was born and raised on the East Coast Demerara
College, San Diego. While at College, Rhea sharpened her skills writing for the campus newspaper, Telescope, in which she published a series of articles on various topics. She also landed an internship with The Vista Press, a daily online newspaper in the San Diego county, and an opportunity that allowed her to cover, report on and conduct research and interviews on several high profile events and individuals including Vista’s Mayor Judy Ritter and award-winning author of ‘Words on Bathroom Walls,’ Julia Walton. In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into quarantine
mode, and as many persons utilised the opportunity to explore their talents and gain new skills, Rhea used the time to fulfil a childhood dream of writing and publishing her own novel. Although she had already compiled a few sections for the novel, Rhea said she was not pleased with some of the writing and storyline. Though it was challenging, she managed the changes with the help of her elder sister, Raisa, and completed the book within five months. A work of fiction and story of mystery and high suspense, ‘The Beach House’., is available for purchase on Amazon and printed based
on demand. “The response to my book has been overwhelming and it’s very encouraging… Just recently, The Book Club, a Guyana online club, purchased a number of copies of the book for circulation to their members in and outside of Guyana,” Rhea related. The novel is dedicated to Rhea’s elder sister and her mother, Judith, a lawyer by profession, and a former Stabroek News journalist, who also worked as a State Prosecutor in Guyana before she migrated. Aside from writing, Rhea enjoys the culinary arts, playing the piano, sewing and painting.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
A deeper passion
Young environmentalist moulding Rupununi youth ACROSS Guyana, hinterland communities sometimes find it difficult to retain their young trained and skilled residents, who often prefer relocating to the city and coastland regions. On the other hand, a few young persons have made the opposite transition from coast to hinterland. Twenty-six-year-old Hadeeyah Asgar is one such individual. An environmentalist, an artist, an educator, a researcher and more – she was captivated by the scenic beauty and resilience of the people of the Rupununi. After graduating from the University of Guyana with a BSc. in Environmental Studies in 2017, Hadi, as she is well known,
Secondary School, North Rupununi, Hadi is currently preoccupied with prepping indigenous students for the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) Exams despite limitations imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic. Before her employment in the formal school system at Annai from 2019, Hadi previously taught in nearby villages. “I have done informal teaching in villages such as Rewa and Surama, which gave me the courage to take up the challenge to educate and build young minds here at Annai,” Hadi relayed in a recent interview. She added, “my biggest inspiration came from the people of the Rupununi who were striving
Hadi Agsar adjusting to village norms in the North Rupununi
Hadi Asgar lives and works in Annai, North Rupununi
headed to live and work in the highland region. A teacher at the Annai
for their best with limited resources and I thought this was my chance at helping
them.” Born in Georgetown to a family of the Islamic Faith, Hadi described her religious
Trekking through a river in the Rupununi while conducting research
practices as most challenging during relocation since Rupununi population is predominantly Christians. Miles away from her family, friends and conveniences to which she was previously accustomed, Hadi noted transportation as another issue she still finds personally distressing. “As compared to Georgetown where you can readily access transportation services, here it is either walking, cycling or riding (motorcycle). There are minibuses that traverse the route Georgetown-Lethem and Lethem to the other villages. But, for simple tasks such as going to the shop it is difficult to get transportation,” the young woman indicated. Nevertheless, she is not daunted and boasts of having made numerous friends
within various villages and with whom she shares a good relationship, as they provide support, comfort and a familiar feeling of home. “They are always sending me little presents such as cassava bread, farine, wild meat, cassareep just to name a few,” Hadi said with a much delight, and further highlighted her visit to all districts of the Rupununi regions, which buoyed her fascination for the people, their rich culture and simple way of life amidst the most beautiful landscape. It is very different from the environments in which Hadi spent her childhood years including on the Essequibo Coast and East Coast Demerara. The eldest of two girls, Hadi attained secondary education at Isa Islamic School where she wrote CSEC be-
Hadi Asgar on an expedition with MCA (MCA photo)
fore she completed two years at St. Rose’s High and successfully sat the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 2013. Immediately thereafter, the young woman enrolled at UG. Around the same time, she first ventured to the Rupununi in the company of a friend to conduct some Agricultural Surveys in villages in Region 9. After graduating from University, Hadi returned to the Rupununi on fieldwork, and at the time while seeking employment, she applied for the teaching post at Annai. According to the young woman, she was encouraged by her friend and mentor, notable indigenous educator, Dr. Laureen Pierre, who is also Principal of the Bina Hill- Youth Learning SEE PAGE XXVII
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
‘I Challenged myself and emerged victorious’ CPCE 2020 Valedictorian encourages youth to pursue their dreams
By Indrawattie Natram TWENTY-two years old Kelsea Peters of Bushlot Region Two was deemed Guyana’s Best Overall Graduating student in her pursuit of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood for 2020. Peters commenced her study journey at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Anna Regina branch in 2018 and concluded in 2020. Peters did not only emerge as the top for the entire country, she also copped four prizes which included the Prime Minister’s Prize, The AEA’s Prize, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Prize and the Cicely Nedd’s Memorial Prize for the best overall graduating student on the Two-Year Associate Degree in Education Pre-Service Early Childhood Programme completed at Anna Regina. Relating her journey to the Pepperpot Magazine, Peters said that she chose to challenge herself and without any doubt has achieved her target. “A life absent of challenges, obstacles, and failures may sound ideal. I remember at the beginning of my college journey, I hoped it would be a breeze with no failures and little to no obstacles, and boy I was wrong” Peters related. The young teacher related that adversities are not only
A picture with Peters during her interaction with children
inevitable but also necessary when someone wants to aspire to be their best. “In the thick of the challenges I was faced with, I couldn’t accept that fact, but looking back on what I went through and what I was able to accomplish, it made my achievements that much
Peters interacting with children
more momentous,” Peters commented. Taking the time to share some of the challenges she endured, Peters said that she was discouraged and frustrated when she began her studies stating that at first she was informed that she would be attending college in the
City of Georgetown at Turkeyen Campus and after acquiring the much-needed items to reside in the dormitory she was told that the batch of students from Region Two would remain there. She said instead she had to study at the newly commissioned pre-service centre in the Pomeroon-Supenaam. “Perks of studying within your region,” she said. She added that although it was a challenge to move things back to her region the experience was of great benefit for her and she was able to attend college from the comfort of her home which she attested undoubtedly contributed to her success. “Looking back at it now, I am grateful I didn’t allow this obstacle to hinder me from doing my best however it’s just the beginning. Once I started to attend college, almost immediately it was evident that we didn’t have the lectures that needed to deliver the content to us,” Peters further explained. She said that that challenge persisted for quite a while before it resolved. For many days she said the batch of students in Region Two had to remain optimistic and go to classes with hope. She said that the panic rose from being behind the workload that the class was expected to complete made it more difficult in the students’ minds and the thoughts of exams drawing near compounded her concerns. Another challenge Peters highlighted was the pandemic when CPCE was closed and adaptation to the new environment and changes had to be done. “For months I sat at home, awaiting instructions for the way forward. This long period at home demotivated me to a point where I had no hope of ever completing college and being able to graduate in the year 2020. You can imagine the
22-year-old Kelsea Peters
immense joy I felt when I was informed that measures were put in place for us to carry out our teaching practice which would also mean the completion of college,” Peters outlined. Peters said she was very overwhelmed having received the news that she had emerged as Guyana’s top CPCE student. She, therefore, believes that the challenges she faced will mould her into an extraordinary teacher. She optimistically said that the challenges were overcome and she used that as a motivation to push
through. “Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional. And though many times I was discouraged and at my wit’s end, I refused to be defeated and instead I chose to push through. I chose to finish strong and most importantly I chose to challenge,” she said. Peters is therefore urging her fellow young people to focus on a career that will groom their future and even though there are challenges, they will not last for long and they will shine in the end.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
A man of prayer and work, now a centenarian
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By Francis Quamina Farrier
Centenarian, Rev. Joseph Gittens
THE Reverend Joseph Alexander Sydney Gittens is one of Guyana’s newest centenarians. Described by a relative as “A humble servant of God who never seeks the limelight, and consistently expresses standards of excellence in both his secular and religious pursuits”, he established over his long life, his humility, a focused approach to any task and a passion for enabling practical and spiritual solutions for those facing life’s challenges. He could also be described as a man of valour and a shining example as a role model for the younger generation. As a Marriage Officer, the Rev. Joseph Gittens has officiated at over 60 weddings over the years.
Bishop John Smith of Central Assembly lays hand on Rev. Gittins as Pastor Clive
The calling to enter reli- Cox extends a hand in blessing. gious service came at age 17 seven decades. Even in his present golden years, his mantra for Rev. Gittens. In the early years, he studied in London, is that he “would rather work out, than rust out.” His disciEngland, as well as in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. plined approach to any undertaking is undergirded by his In his secular life, he so distinguished himself as a consum- central practice as a man of prayer and work. As a pastor, Rev. mate professional, so much so, that his expert advises in Gittens personifies God’s heart of a true shepherd, proven by architecture and construction was and is still sought by many. his compassion in calling, visiting and caring for the Faithful The Reverend Gittens is further gifted in arriving at precise in his congregation. assessments of issues and expresses unique wit and humour. SEE PAGE XXXI As a husband and father Over the years, his Christian service to others exceeds over
Rev. Joseph Gittens in his younger years
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Princetown Village Where resourceful people abound
By Michel Outridge THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the Upper Corentyne, Corriverton, Berbice village of #77 Princetown. This village extends from the foreshore to the vast backlands where largescale farming is done. Princetown is a farming community that has an Old Housing Scheme and a newer housing section and is bordered by #75 Scotsburg and #76 Duketown villages. The village is fairly large and apart from the main public road, there are several internal streets. Princetown has a community centre ground with a racket stand and a nursery school at the centre of the community. Secondary schools, primary schools and health
Kite frames on sale for Easter at Narine’s shop
centres are located in nearby villages, as well as markets and other government fa-
ethnicities mostly of Indo and Afro descent and from the looks of things they live and dwell among each other in relative peace and quiet. Princetown Village has many small shops, poultry, livestock and cattle farms and many cash crops of traditional and non-traditional cultivations as well as skilled people, who leave the village for work daily. Princetown comes under the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Corriverton which starts from the arch, that is, #75 Village to Section 83 Village (Blackwater) villages. The village has a defunct Community Policing Group and residents have complained that there are
thieves who prowl at nights and break into homes, shops and take away valuables in the community. At the front of Princetown, there is a village called Duketown and the village of Eliza and Mary (Little Africa) can also be accessed at the rear. At the roadside, there is Scotsburg Village, a small community with rather large dwelling houses that sits just by the foreshore. Princetown Village has some professionals, who are nurses, teachers, office staffers among others, who venture out of the village for work. The people of Princetown Village depended SEE PAGE XV
cilities. The population is about 2,500 Guyanese of mixed
Vivekanand Narine’s shop in Princetown Village
The people and the village (Carl Croker photos)
Focus on the Village
rine’s shop kite at Vivekanand Na A boy displaying his
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
The people of Princetown Village By Michel Outridge The poultry farmer Satyanand Sukhanand called “Anand”, works on a poultry farm in Princetown Village. The 27-year-old stated that he oversees the daily operations of the poultry farm and has two employees he supervises and collectively they manage 1,000 chickens, which take seven to eight weeks to fully grow before they are sold to wholesale buyers. He noted that the small business has been in operation over the past three years and he depends solely on that as his source of income. Sukhanand disclosed that he is from Black Bush Polder, but ended up living in Princetown Village because of work and over the years he has worked at different jobs. The resident added that he has worked his way into the village and has no intention of moving and so far, he is employed and quite pleased about that. One of his employees, Delano Cruickshank, told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is the farmhand, who takes care of things on the poultry farm. He is tasked with feeding the chickens, cleaning the large pens and the general upkeep of the place, a full-time job that entails long hours from early morning to late at night. “Someone set up this business and we are just working here and it is a job, so we do what we have to daily,” he said. In Princetown there are several large-scale poultry farms and next door to this farm there is another which has many pens housing hundreds of chickens. The people also have cash-crop farms from micro to small and have been utilising the empty plots into gardens to earn in this village. Living at a slower pace Edward Profitt is one of the elders of Princetown Village, Upper Corentyne, Corriverton, Berbice and these days he is wheelchair-bound, having lost his toes on both feet as a result of diabetes. The 65-year-old stated that had he benefited from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) monthly payout, his life would have been comfortable. He reported that he worked at many places but stayed the longest at Guysuco, at the Skeldon Sugar Estate from 1996 to 2005 and worked for 10 years as a shovelman/ranger. Profitt explained that he exited the estate before it closed due to ill health. He sought medical intervention and was put on one week’s sick leave with
Edward Profitt (Carl Croker photos)
Delano Cruikshank, the farmhand
Satyanand Sukhanand inside the poultry pen feeding chickens
medication; then more sick leave followed after which he was cleared for work, but based on the doctor’s recommendation he can do only light work. Profitt added that he was placed in the fields to throw lease, a by-product of bagasse and could not manage that job, so he quit. “I only found out that none of my sick leave was sent in
by the company as such, I never benefitted from sickness benefit and I am not receiving any NIS to date,” he said. The elder disclosed that he was given a one-time NIS pay-out of $68,000 alone and nothing else when he left the sugar industry. He has since wrote many letters to NIS appealing his case but has never received any response yet and he is only getting $25,000 for old age benefit, a sum that is insufficient for his needs, since he is of ill health. Profitt is living with relatives and when the team caught up with him he had just returned from the clinic and was taking some fresh air before going inside. He related that since he cannot walk it is costly for him to travel via taxi to go to the health centre and for his doctor’s visit and any time he has to leave home.
Focus on the Village
Inside the chicken pen
The poultry farm in Princetown Village
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Home schooling and the village teacher Helping the children in the community
By Michel Outridge IT was after parents in the community approached her about tutoring their children that Corriverton Primary School Teacher, Belinda McAllister decided to give back to society by utilising the gazebo in her backyard to house groups of pupils on weekdays. McAllister has taken the noble profession seriously and is assisting pupils in her village of Princetown, Upper Corentyne, Corriverton, Berbice, by taking different groups from Grade One and
Grade Two to complete their worksheets. The 48-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she was saddened to learn from parents that they were unable to help their children with their school work at home, because they are challenged and some of them have to work. After some consideration, McAllister accepted the challenge to home-school two groups of pupils from Mondays to Fridays at her house, in a spacious gazebo in her backyard. The mother of two related that she set up a sanitis-
ing station with liquid soap and adequate water for the children to wash their hands before they are seated for classes. In addition, the teacher would also participate in online learning via the internet, to which only two pupils in her class have access. She explained that the pupils would get the worksheets for the various subjects every three weeks and they would have to return them to school for the teacher to mark them and they would also collect new worksheets. McAllister noted that some children have difficulty
Home-tutoring with pupils of Princetown Village (Carl Croker photos)
going to school since their parents are away at work and some simply cannot afford to travel. She added that with the pandemic, came a lot of challenges and we all had to adapt quickly and do extraordinary things to make it
possible in many instances. “ We d i d n ’ t e x p e c t COVID-19 and when it came to these shores a year ago, schools like most places had to be closed indefinitely and the children have been home since. It took a toll
on us all mentally and physically, because of social distancing and staying indoors,” she said. The teacher admitted that things haven’t been easy SEE PAGE XII
Focus on the Village
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
The humble earners of Princetown Village Sheldon Hope at his roadside shop (Carl Croker photos)
Shamal Ali at his roadside stand with his friend, Linden Stuart
By Michel Outridge SHELDON Hope has a roadside shop, a small wooden structure that sits on a dam in Princetown Village, but it is his place of business. The 36-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he needed a job to earn and could not find any and decided to construct the stand and began selling home-made pepper sauce, achars, barks of trees with healing properties, packaged snacks, cold drinks, greens, fruits and market bags among other things local. The father of two stated that he would buy the home-made shopping bags in the quantity of 50 and it would be sold out, because it is good quality and peo-
ple prefer to use that for shopping instead of donning black plastic bags which are harsh to the environment. Hope explained that he established his small business four years ago and it was a very smaller shop and over time he did some extensions. The small business owner would also make homemade chicken foot and plantain chips and package them to sell, as well. Even though he is originally from Suriname, he married a local woman and began living here and has settled comfortably in Princetown Village among the locals. “I like this village because as you can see we have no beef here and the people of all races; mostly Indians and Blacks live near
e a c h other and we are all good,” he said. Hope grew up in Guyana and was also schooled here and Guyana became his home since he was very young and saw it most fitting to remain here where he is comfortable to live and earn. He pointed out that Princeton Village is a quiet place to reside, but like anywhere else one must work to make an honest living to be comfortable. Hope has his small shop deep in the village, in the very last street where there is a wooden bridge which connects two villages and many people would traverse to get from one point to another. SEE PAGE XIII
Focus on the Village
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
The brightest place in Princetown Village shines - no matter what
The shop that is owned and operated by Nardeo Chalterter
One of the brightest places in Princetown Village (Carl Croker photos)
By Michel Outridge WHEN the sugar estate was closed on the Upper Corentyne, Berbice corridor, many people were rendered jobless and were very distressed. As such, some took whatever money they had and invested it into micro and small businesses to earn. One such person was resident of Princetown, Corriverton, Berbice, Nardeo Chalteter, who told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was a cane-cutter and when the estate closed he collected his severance pay and opened a shop. This small business is his only source of income and he has made the place welcoming and cosy with brightly painted walls, flower plants to enhance the surroundings, garbage bins and well put together place. Chalterter’s place is one of the cleanest in his village and from the looks of things, you would want to stop to just sit and have a cold beverage or make a purchase since the place is really tidy. The 51-year-old shop-
Nardeo Chalteter
keeper stated that he decided to open the grocery shop in 2017 because he was out of a job and had to do something to bring money into the home. He is originally from Rose Hall but relocated to Princetown, his father-inlaw’s place after his death and made the place into a bright oasis in 2015. At times, he would get
busy in his garden and the excess of fruits and vegetables after harvesting would be sold in his shop. “This business isn’t a large profit-making venture, but it is a job and even though it is slow I am still holding on, because jobs are not easy to get,” he said. The Princetown villager SEE PAGE XI
Focus on the Village
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
The brightest place... FROM PAGE X related that he doesn’t have to leave his shop to go out to make any purchases to re-stock his shelves, since the vans and trucks selling various items would visit and he would buy. “The good thing about this village [is] everything would pass right here, so you don’t have to go anywhere to get vegetables, fish, meat and goods,” he said. Chalterter added that he would buy whatever is selling at reasonable prices and just add on a small mark-up because he knows how hard things are with
people, just to stay afloat in his business. He disclosed that early in the mornings he would see some young men in the village passing to go to work with bags on their backs and they would return later in the afternoon after working, and it is a place where people ‘hustle’ by doing something to make a living. Chalterter reported that most people in Princetown Village are ‘go-getters’; they are doing something to earn and some would leave the village to work while others would work right in the community. He explained that they
would clean drains, weed yards, or even become labourers and some still have jobs within the sugar industry and other small businesses. In his shop, one can find almost every little thing and he has been a victim of three break and enter incidents at his shop where valuables were taken away by unknown perpetrators and on three different occasions. Chalterter added that they even took his bicycle and he is vigilant in the nights because it is that time they would strike since the place is void of street lights. He added that he takes
time to clean his place because having a tidy surrounding feels good and he would even go over to the empty plot next door to spray weeds and cut the bushes to prevent snakes and bees from coming over to his premises. “I bought a garbage barrel and put it out on the street for people to dispose of their waste and I am paying for it,” he said. The villager pointed out
that some people have no desire to clean their places and that’s a shame because cleanliness breeds progress. He added that he has been residing in Princetown Village for the past 17 years and has restored his fatherin-law’s place to its former glory and it is evident because that house stands out with its brightly painted walls. Chalterter told the Pepperpot Magazine that his
place serves as an oasis for passers-by and visitors and he would welcome them because that is the kind of person he is. “If someone comes here and they do not have enough money to make a purchase, I would give them since I came from humble beginnings and know what it is like not to have anything when in need,” he said.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Home schooling and... FROM PAGE VIII
because on weekdays, she would accommodate five pupils for each session from Grades One and Two each. After 18 years in the profession, McAllister told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is doing the job she loves, so there is no quitting and she has no intention of giving up despite the pandemic. The Princetown resident reported that she comes from a long line of teachers and her father is a retired headteacher and she grew up admiring him for his discipline and strict upbringing. Most of her relatives are
teachers and she too, made sure she was qualified to take up the teaching profession and over the years has garnered enough respect among her peers and within the community. “Teaching is in my blood, a family tradition and I want to continue where my father left off and I hope I can attain same,” she said. McAllister stated that in her class she has 32 pupils and out of that only two have internet access; so worksheets are sent to them while the others have no access and have been inconsistent with uplifting the worksheets at the Corriverton Primary
School. On weekdays she would tutor a total of eight pupils on different occasions because of social distancing, and they have been grasping better via the face-to-face teaching. She disclosed that after being home for so long, some pupils have become complacent and are not completing the worksheets. “I basically work with slow learners and so far, they have been interacting well and asking questions and generally taking in a lot of what is being imparted to them,” she said. McAllister added that
some parents have had to deal with more than one child in the home and home-schooling has had its ups and downs when school was closed in March last year. It was observed that the group of children were indeed happy to be out of their homes and they were engaged in the task at hand, worksheets completion. As a teacher, she believes that it is critical to give back
to the community and to serve the people since the children will become the future leaders they need to be properly schooled despite the pandemic and she is ready to assist. She said that in Berbice they have The Learning Channel where different subjects are televised at certain times for children, but parents have been complaining about the timing because they have to work and some children are left unsupervised. Apart from home-tutoring pupils, she would have to go to school twice weekly
for meetings, to distribute and collect worksheets from both parents and pupils. McAllister ’s yard is very large and it accommodates cultivation of bananas, plantains, cassava, bora, ochroes, boulanger, celery and various fruit trees, which are managed by her 27-year-old son, who has a full-time job with Sea Defence and her mother has a lovely flower garden. This teacher is a downto-earth, generally cheery and pleasant person, who truly loves her job and is enthusiastic about teaching.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
The humble earners ... FROM PAGE IX
Working with yourself is a blessing Meanwhile, on the main public road, Shamal Ali has a roadside stall vending greens and vegetables. The 55-year-old explained that he had to find work after operations at the sugar estate folded, many years ago and he gathered his finances and began selling greens and fruits. Some are from his backyard and he would buy from his fellow villagers, so it is garden-fresh produce, wholesome foods. The father of one has some ground provisions, celery, squash, bora, bou-
langer, peppers, bananas, calaloo, cucumbers, pak choi, tomatoes, star apple, papaya, carrots among some green seasonings. Ali’s stand is strategically and conveniently located right in front of his house on the public road and when he is finished selling for the day, he would pack up and take it inside. “I had nothing to do for work and started this small business last year, and here I am trying with it despite things being a bit slow here due to the pandemic and job cuts,” he said. Ali has seating accommodation at his stand and he would have a frequent visitor, another villager,
Linden Stuart, who would go to have a chat after taking out his cows to graze. “He does come every day and we does gaff until he goes to take home his cows in the afternoon till up to 15:00hrs and it is good to have some company,” he said. Stuart is a cattle farmer and a friend, who does not fail to visit Ali. Ali reported that when Stuart leaves he would tie up his hammock and relax a bit, lying down until he is ready to call it a day. The place is very breezy and it is a good spot for business and relaxation at the same time. “I am working from right in front of my house and
SEE PAGE XI
don’t have to go anywhere or work with people, so that is comforting and what else can I ask for,” he said. Ali would come out and unpack the produce at around 08:00hrs and sell up until 17:00hrs daily before going home. He related that Princetown is a nice village to live, but it is far-flung and jobs are not readily available in the community, so they have to come up with means to earn.
On sale, home-made pepper sauce
XIV
Sexual phone or oHarassment phone? and Mental Health
rom worried readers over excessive cellphone use. I few years ago, but I knew ing the social restrictions e in the number of social
my specialities is addiction pes. Today, I would like to ction, one that just like any omnia, loss of productivity f previously enjoyed activr phone? Particularly, your compulsively; I would say
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― February Sunday, March 2021 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, 28, 21, 2021
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prevention is better than cure
every 10-15 minutes. I do not knowme what looking ingalways that it pains thatI’mment and it is losing important to phone harassment. will schools should your wouldIt be onstrain a scaleand oftherefore, 1-10. 98 percent this is still a conversation have as both relationships with those integrate programmes with for but I always look. My phone is such a normal part ofthis myknowledge said 10 and 2 percent said 9. They all claimed that it would that we need to have. women and men experience around you, especially if their students and businesses life and so constantly in my Sexual hand that I cannot count the numthe worst material possession that they everwith lose. harassment has it daily. This be means they they are within the environshouldcould do the same their ber of times I have searchedbeen for it, while it was actually in my They continued towhere say that irritation a trending topic for subsequently experience the ment the feelings harassmentof anxiety, employees. Make it and crystal hand. The first thing I do when up inseemly the morning years;I aget problem mentaland health overwhelming harms which is sadness taking place; sadly, thisif they clear were on what would be felt toconstitutes lose theirthis without a solution -or so fromI it. phone today. automatically decreases your as well as how serious and the last thing I do before going to sleep is check my arise phone. manyand believe. Sexual harassment is support system. damaging it is. decided that this wasn’t healthy something must be done. It seems right? so much about I believe one of the ANY unwanted sexual ad- harmless, All the above canCaring inUntil then, we speakaup I did some research and found thatis women more Well,crease this the week I’ve been paying main issues the lack were vance -- verbalphone? or physical. possibility of de-really if people are attention making us, or likely to become addicted tooftheir phones simply because men consists understanding of what It mostly of those veloping mental illnesses others around uncomfortto the importance that I and others around meus, give to a that are such as anxiety, depression, able. It does not necessarily are less likely to have social media apps. Also, olderobscene peopleremarks phone, rather than what’s actually going on around them. ensure that post-traumatic stress disorder have to be in a rude tone; are less likely to become addicted. I believe this is unwelcome because andOur phones -- whether we areabuse speaking to ask other people, to we feel embarrassed and or alcohol/substance politely the individual they do not know how to use smartphones (My fatheruncomfortable. actually using social media or playing games -can be addictive They can and suicidal thoughts and stop as we must stop it right still uses a Nokia). take place anywhere, but are Some beliefs cases canand as it happens.enjoyable If it continues, as they alterbehaviours. our moods, trigger widelybad popularand on theunenjoyable street, manifest physicalApart issues such is beneficial for all tomy report I asked some of my colleagues and friends how feelings. fromitobviously being at work, schools and even in as high blood pressure, head- acts of sexual harassment to main source aches, of communication, my phone is my newspasome homes. and issues sleeping the appropriate authorities per,examples watch, alarm, map,cases, recorder, calendar, Some physical etc. In many peopleday as planner, perpetrators rarely ever camera, music calculator, (sometimes) include uninvited hugging, are player, publicly sexualised anda weapon stop on their own. We can all kissing or evenand basicmy touchobjectified a point where understand that it is difficult friend when toI’m bored or lonelybasically eving. It can beerything. behavioursHowever, their character is put into for a victim to speak out, it is also my constant interrupter and so such as repeated phone calls, question. In severe cases, if you notice something and distractor. much liketomost out there) texts, letters, visits etc. At I (I thisimagine causes people to have haveoftheyou capability, why not have a deep desire to know everything that is going on. other times, it is simply per- leave their jobs or drop out speak out for them? sonal attention I(such as starThisnature. of courseBut re- when If you are it a victim, I hope believe thatofisschool. human does become ing) that we dotoo not much? care for. sults in loss of opportunities, you know and understand Verbal harassment includes incomes, goals and dreams. that it is not your fault and it Well, I believe toodifficulty much when hastoa seek name. ‘Noexplicit compliments, dirty Theit’s major is isitokay professional mophobia’ the term coined describe of being jokes or spreading rumours. is understanding what it to actualhelp the if it isfear causing you psyWhile it happens to both genly is and noticing whether orwhat chological distress. without a mobile phone. Seriously, have we comeYou to?can ders, women are often an notaddiction you are doing it –- the beingobject also start a support group as I It more becomes when begins to control the victims -- of any age, a perpetrator or victim. In guarantee you that if you are yourThe lifeperand ainterferes with dailyexperiencing activities, work, and ethnicity or religion. lot of cases, it isyour not even sexual harassrelationships. I read somewhere that “The biggest obstacle petrator can be anyone (male something that can easily be ment in your current envior female as well) such ronment, youaare to productivity is connectivity,” but overuse can affect as a co-worker, lot boss,more and than our productivity. The truth is, overuse not the of only one. our friend or loved one. If you choose not phones can harm us psychologically, socially andtophysically. There are two major join together With regard to affecting our social skills, howtomany us types of Sexual Harassmake of a formal miss out on a joke or good conversation as we were on our ment. complaint, join 1. Quid pro quo How many times have we annoyed our together just to phones? good friend (“this for that”). This support each othor family member because we were posting on social media occurs when it is exer. much fun we are having with them? It truly affects plicitly stated orhow implied A s p eour cific that one will benefit study done on a from performing acts popular compaof a sexual nature. For ny in the United example, a promotion or States found that better grades for sexual as many as 70% favours. of women and 2. Hostile Environment. explained, it can simply be 45% of men experience sexThis occurs when the ha- a feeling that you are elicit- ual harassment in the workrassment is so severe but ing in someone or someone place. I imagine Guyana’s unspoken of which creates in you. As a woman, I can statistics would be the same an uncomfortable, unsafe, speak about the most com- or even higher. Why not enintimidating or abusive en- mon one that happens which courage your superiors to do vironment. is us being called off on the surveys in your workplace so However, they can defi- street. I want to make it clear, we can know for sure? Then nitely occur together. even on my most insecure maybe, something legitimate With regard to mental days, I am not complimented can finally be done about it. health, sexual harassment or happy about comments can cause emotional, psycho- that strange men make to Thank you for reading. logical and physical distress. me on the street. It makes Please keep sending any relationships without us even realising it. A common thing It is known as a common me feel objectified, belittled, topics you’d like to talk that some (yes, myself included) as well is to be on stressor that increases theof us embarrassed and always un- do about to caitlinvieira@ we are left setting-just out possibility of our low phone self-es-when comfortable andalone I do in nota public gmail.com. If you’d like teem and self-confidence, believe I am alone in this. To people personal counselling of sheer discomfort. This stops other from engagingsesanger, fear, shame well the women who do it to men sions, please reach out to with as you. as feelings of helplessness (as this does happen), I am me at +592 623 0433 and worthlessness. It brings not sorry to say that you are S u i c i d e P re v e n t i o n Now, are the psychological implications of 223about frustration, lack of what encouraging behaviour that Helpline numbers: concentration, productivity the majority of women find 0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, cellphone overuse? and efficiency – especially demeaning and have been 600-7896 in a work or school setting. fighting to stop for years. It may cause self-blame, Sayphone Yes to Life Thislack is done mainly by our apps on our thanand theNo of trust in others, withdrawWhat can we do? to Drugs! Always phone itself. Social media apps such as Snapchat and Instaal, isolation and increased We already know that
gram are associated with bullying, privacy violations, stress
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Princetown... FROM PAGE VI
heavily on the sugar industry for a living and when it was closed, they had to seek other jobs; as such, many went into small and micro businesses and became entrepreneurs. They started food businesses, vegetable and fruit stalls, small grocery shops, coconut stands along the roadways and others. The village entrepreneur The Pepperpot Magazine met one such person, Vivekanand Narine, a father of five, who used to work at
Skeldon Sugar Estate as a cane cutter. The 61-year-old told the team that he grew up in the village and when he was out of a job he had to start doing something to earn, so he decided to open a small shop at his residence at Old Road, Princetown. He reported that his options were limited since he has small, school-age children and he had to come up with a plan quickly. Today, his small grocery shop has every little thing which includes clothing, haberdasheries, groceries, cold beverages, kite frames,
kites and other things. “The people in the village support my small business and I am thankful that I can live and work right from home and without the support of customers I would not be able to sustain this business to earn,” he said. Narine added that for Easter, a customer came to his shop and asked him to sell some kite frames and kites and he readily agreed, because he has to lend support to his fellow villagers too. Even though things are a bit slow on the economic side of things, the business
is staying afloat because he understands the needs of the people and is keeping his prices at the lowest possible levels. Narine reported that the older residents of the village have since passed away and a lot of young people reside
in the village, but some have become idle and are abusing drugs and when they do, they engage in some unsavoury activities within the community. “Some of these youths are not interested in pursuing careers and they come
Vivekanand Narine and his daughter
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in at nights, pick up your things and leave,” he disclosed. Apart from this issue Princetown Village is a good place to live and despite some challenges, life is still good once you can work, says Narine.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
A THORN’S PRICK
MEMORIES were like a trickle of blood from a thorn’s pick in her mind as she wrote in her journal. She was returning home from Europe to South America for the first time after 18 years, doubts lingering in her mind, though her brother and sister had spent days trying to convince her it was something she needed to do. “He doesn’t have much time,” her sister Caroline had told her. “I really don’t care,” Maria had responded, showing no interest. “I know how hard this is for her,” her brother Jonathan had said, “Because you witnessed what happened that night.”
“Yes,” Caroline added, “You had always wanted to know why he took away what was most precious in your life, and as a writer, now is the time.” After pondering for many hours, she came to the realisation, they were right. She had been six years old when an unexpected tragedy had silenced the songs in her young heart and took away her smiles and laughter. The plane started its descent, and a sudden feeling of dread gripped her mind, “Oh god, will I be able to do this? How do I look at him and talk to him?” She took a few deep breaths, telling herself, “I have to do this before he dies, it’s been long enough.”
The plane landed and as she stepped out, she closed her eyes briefly and whispered, “I’m home, Mom, help me see this through.” Maria checked in at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, had a light lunch, and relaxed a little before travelling to the home for the elderly on the East Coast. A nurse directed her to the garden’s lawn and pointed to an old man sitting alone under an almond tree, her father. She walked slowly towards him and stopped a little way off. He seemed to feel her presence and looked up slowly at the young woman standing there, and as his eyes met hers, Maria gasped, the horror of that night suddenly storming into her mind. She had been alone with her mother that fateful night because her older siblings had gone to see a school play. Her mother’s soft voice had sung her to sleep so she did not hear when her father came home. It was her mother’s pleas and screams of pain, and her father’s angry voice that had awoken her, and she had sat up in bed crying quietly, not sure what was happening. There was a loud, crashing sound, her mother screaming for her, then quiet. Maria had crept out of bed, trembling in fear, and opening the door a crack, she saw a scene that froze the blood in her little body. Her mother lying lifeless on the floor, and her father standing over her, a knife in his hand. She had tried to scream but couldn’t and only moved to hide under the bed when her father called her name. He was calling her again, “Maria, my child.” His voice brought her back to the present and he rose, stretching his hand out to her, but she seemed to see the knife in his hand, and overcome by fear, she turned and ran. She was sleepless in bed that night, wondering over and over, “How do I deal with this situation?” After a while, she got up and looking at herself in the mirror, she said, “I’m a young woman, a journalist, not a scared six-year-old, I need to be strong.” The next morning after a late breakfast, she went back to the home for the elderly. He was sitting in the same place, fiddling with some chess pieces on the table. He looked at her standing in front of him a few feet away, and said in a hoarse voice, “You look so much like your mother.” Maria looked at him and said, with deep resentment, “You should never mention anything about her.” He sighed, pain in his dull eyes, “I deserve to hear that.” Heavy coughing wracked his body and after it subsided, he said, “Part of my suffering is this sickness and my children whom I’ve lost.” Maria said nothing as she pulled up a chair and sat down, and after a short silence, she asked him the question that had haunted her all her life growing up, “Why? What was her wrong?” He looked at her and said weakly, “She cheated on me.” “What?!” Maria questioned in an incredulous tone, “A simple woman with simple ways, who was so taken up with home, family, and her little shop, she hardly had any time for herself?” She paused and took a deep breath to calm the rising anger within her, then she asked quietly, “How did that happen and with whom?” Her father did not answer for a long moment, seeming to be battling with something in his mind, then he said, “My best friend told me a tall stranger would visit when I am not home.” “Your friend told you?” Maria asked in disbelief, unable now to stop the anger in her voice. “He told me several times, so I believed.” Maria shook her head, a deep ache in her heart that brought tears to her eyes, “Your ignorance and cruelty took away the most beautiful person in our lives, our mother, because of a lie.” He shook his head regretfully, and she got up to leave, but SEE PAGE XVII
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
A THORN’S .... FROM PAGE XVI
he pleaded, “No, please don’t go. I haven’t seen any of my children in such a long time.” Looking at him, Maria was unable to feel pity for the man she was supposed to call father, “When you suffered our mother, and ended her life, you did not stop to think of your children, why should we think of you now?” “I’m sorry,” he said, “I committed a grave sin.” Maria said nothing, just leaving him with the burden of his sin, and got up again to leave, when a young woman approached her saying, “Hi, I’m Suzanne. My father would like to speak to you.” She pointed to an old man sitting not too far away. “Why?” Maria asked. “He says he’s your father’s friend, and he has something important to tell you.” Maria nodded her consent, and the old man came over leaning heavily on a walking stick. He glanced at her father, and said to her in a shaky voice, “I’m sorry for the way your mother died. I’ve been living with that guilt for a long time.” Maria looked at him, puzzled, “Why is that?” He glanced again at her father and took a deep breath before answering, “It was my lies that put doubts in your father’s mind. I never thought he would have killed her, she did no wrong.” Maria and Suzanne looked at the old man shocked, “You told a lie on your best friend’s wife, how could you?” Suzanne asked. “We were drink buddies, and sometimes we said bad things about women, not realising the dangers it caused,” he said, guilt and shame written on his wrinkled face. “Your lies destroyed a family, now my mother’s blood is also on your hands,” Maria said, still in shock. “I’m really sorry,” he started to apologise when his own daughter interrupted. “Sorry? You constantly abused my mother and caused her so much pain and unhappiness to the day she died, but I still took care of you, now this?” Maria looked at her father one last time and she said, with a tinge of regret, “Goodbye.” The two daughters turned and walked away, and their fathers watched them go, regrets too late for the wrongs they had done to the mothers. They sat alone, deadly thorns, slowly dying, their sins their own.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
XIII
WOMEN’S DAY ON THE AWARENESS OF THE AESTHETIC AND A NECESSARY SPACE OF REFLECTION AND OF IDEAS TO EXPLORE
THE ‘BEING’ OF OUR YOUNG NATION Part II
MARCH 8 was highlight- sensus into dictatorial ed International Women’s assertiveness. This hapDay. This actually had its pened to memory on genesis in 1911 Denmark the East Coast where and was necessary in con- the male involvement text to be celebrated in and opinions were igEurope first. I was brought nored and women folk up in a matriarchal soci- gathered together to ety and though damaged enforce a situation that by slavery, still retained backfired with dramatic structures that enabled consequences; of course, functional systems of man- there are situations agement and survival. Most where a logical input of this article will revolve from another legitiaround experiences that I mate pool of experience have lived and witnessed. should be consulted. Enslaved Africans came The female arena of here from predominantly employment in the social matriarchal societies; Indo conflict-ridden beginGuyanese fromthis a patriarof is modern Guyana IN concluding discussion,nings which intended to raise chal society; Amerindians yielded questions within the reader and(1850s-1940s) inspire responsible actions are a component of both. moremaking opportunities that among those that acquire decision positions or are With Europeans, that malewithout counter-conalready there, we differenccannot arrive atof a their sensible siderations in retrospect. So inparts. a brief we must es prevail between Iberian Asflashback, a colony, highrecognise, what we have lost our physical that memory referand Nordic concerning the toer education would ence archive, and use this as inspiration, to be able to raise identified social systems. lead to a ‘middle-class’ aThese natural alarm, identified a connectioncategory to the aesthetic systems of public sensitivity or prialerting us to the fact that we need to have a historical the inherent values, the vate-level earning capacmemory in respect to our surroundings, as buildings, landconflicts and the extremities ity, (the social pretensions scapes and architecture are inherent of memories in both that inspire the impetus for and attitudes the conscious and subconscious awareness.that Wewere have to change among women fromwhoadded to the term ‘Middle become other than people occupy a geographic space different groups. There’s Class’ were also adopted on this planet, and relate to what is the necessary thinking a saying in Creole from British strat-what that will enable us toculture address from the nowclass onward isthat significant telling our stories, especially “Mothertodead family ifications) lay stories in the important to our timelines. When we‘Mother becameCountry independent, done” because mothers then of the euphoria of self-governed nationhood play a healing part most England.’ Theintoxicated means to- us, ittimes had its for intoxication examin grounds family conflicts wardsalongside this lay in sober hard-earned ination. We did not make the observation that all around between siblings. This of financing, while men were us within the borders of countries we still held controlled course is notfor, a perfect for- restricted to of being admiration had retained the edifices paststevetimes. mula, and there have been dores, policemen, coopers Our own coloniser England never dismantled Hadrian’s timesIn recorded where emoand other not-so-wide Wall. more ways than one, from previous colonisersartiand tional conflagrations eruptsanships wages, also from despised local leaders, they with kept fixed the memory ed reflection, with fatal consequences thatChristophe’s often led to the many lafor in our Caribbean, spectacular fortress of defence remain, regardless his with mothers thatintipHaiti the will bour upheavals, women of were history. with the white supremacy that balance Europe for reasonable con-obvious needed to sustain the colonial
emerged with colonisation did not destroy the sculptures of Afro-European Knights, artworks and literature that spoke of, or alluded to the African presence in a much older Europe, of course, they didn’t in-depth celebrate them either, and also hid their identities with new portraits and in movies. Where we erred in Guyana was not to use the structures that became available with the decline of trademark services like the Trains, to build museums dedicated to that part of our historical memory. Why preserve the physical imagery of the past? Simple, our ancestors lived it, for the historian, the creative mind, the investigative journalist, the physical location is important. The development of museums was a continuous peeve of the late Dr. Dennis Williams, who had identified Five Museums to be built, he insisted that a marine museum would have been a must. I can now imagine a display of the ship’s kitchen on Lady Northcourt with its cook, the portrait of indifference ‘John’, ‘keep away from John’s kitchen, and why?’ A caption should read before this rude faced ship’s cook made of papier máché –“whose kitchen lay beneath a toilet, from which water dripped continuously, or so we were made See Page XIX
and emerging mercantile and merchant class. Jobs like Washer-women, that may have had an additional starch and Ironing maid, house-cleaning, kitchen help, child care and nanny services were open to women; womene were also involved as cane harvesters on the then
estates. Traditional village mid-wives performed alongside the emerging medical institutions and would be in the numerical high-end group employed as ward maids, nursemaids, cleaners and the laundry of hospitals, to this day. This was the workforce where the savings emerged
from, that would send a significant percentage of the first sons and daughters of the Creole society to England to be certified as Lawyers, Doctors, in Civil Engineering etc. The husbands or spouses of that category of the mainly female workforce took care of the rent, mortgage, food, clothing, school books and dayto-day sustenance of the home, in the villages, and the difficult life in the early overpopulated townships. There is a popular story I was told as a child that harkens to that era. “The house Maid enquired of the Mistress if she could have the latter half of the day off. The Mistress appealed, that her son was coming home as a Doctor on the ship from England, she then enquired what would the maid have that important to be absent on this day in particular? The Maid responded that her son was also coming home on the same ship as a civil engineer. Some storytellers say that the maid was fired; others said that an amicable compromise was made. My wife knew the story too; her inherited take was that the Maid had served the Mistress and her son and
family a sumptuous meal on a well-organised table. Then asked to be excused, because her son had also arrived on the same ship as an engineer and she would like to be with him.” Somehow, this story is rooted in events, or an event, circulated and retold but never made it to the newspapers of the day; but seems rooted in defining the complex nature of an era with factual elements, which we cannot dismiss as pure imagination. Pregnancies, including my mother’s with me, and other siblings must be noted, if the hour came and the mother was some miles out of Georgetown, in the 1950s/’60s then hers and the child’s life would depend on the skills of the village mid-wife and their methods, honed and perfected over centuries in the name of sacred life, refined here and there, I owe my life on earth to a mid-wife now passed on named ‘Nurse Charles’ at Mahaica. Family would have to come up most likely with the train service from old Georgetown to see the newborn, and possibly take the child on its first tour. These women brought into the world generations of citizens, so I salute the mothers of the nation all and honour their profound contributions. To them, I say ‘Thank You’.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
E PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021
Ayethe or no for Equity in parliamentary COVID-19 decorum? vaccination rollout
XIX XXVII
DURING this past week’s edition of ‘In the National Assembly,’ Parliamentarians debated the 2021 National training of Parliamentarians so that a semblance of decorum Are they adequately representing us and our best interests Budget, which was presented earlier in the month by Se- could be maintained in the National Assembly. It is envi- at all times? nior Minister in the Office of the President with responsi- sioned that such training sessions would also help to guide bility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. The debate, however, the officials on proper parliamentary procedures. I hope we can do better. spotlighted a lack of decorum in the Parliament. But also, these events should force us to reconsider what WITH the COVID-19 pandemic continuing its disruption, nounced that additional locations will be added as the vacthe communities through mobile ice-boxes. Through this It is both understandable and acceptable for the different we expect and accept from our elected officials -- all of If you would like to discuss this column or any of vaccines appear to be the pharmaceutical intervention rollout is expanded. Guyana Chronicle, in responsibilities its system, some theprevious vaccines in the appropriate cold-chain sides of the house --cination the government and opposition sides --The writings, please feel free to contact me via them-while they discharge their towards us. of my to have opposing on the budget. After all, the published national Are articulating our collective when they email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com that would allow countries to return to some semblance of views COVID-19 Supplement onthey March 11, also reportedvalues storage at make the identified health centres are placed into these budget illustrates the government’s vision, priority areas, racist, sexist, homophobic, and other derogatory statements? normalcy. Yet, equity, or at the very least, equality been the Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has assured the carriers that contain dry-ice, allowing the vaccines to be stored andhas general policy that direction, since it points towards what elusive in the global rollout of vaccines for the Sars-Cov-2 public thattheupon the receipt and transported in about 24 hours. This allows a smaller policies, programmes and plans government intendsof to more vaccines, there will be a use Guyana’s money to fund. virus that causes the disease, COVID-19. wider rollout. quantity of vaccines to be distributed to the outlying villages. It would be strange for each member to agree on The COVAX facility was a global mechanism created The minister also noted that while some outlying areas every single thing, since various individuals have difSEE PAGE XXXV to ensure that there is an equitable distribution of vaccines may notand have vaccination vaccines will be taken into ferent priorities and views perhaps different centres, sides of the house have different plans, projects, or policies once they were made available. Yet, the larger economies that would guide Guyana’s developments; and, that is of the world were able to engage manufacturers directly and completely fine. stockpile vaccines for their citizens, some even able to It issecure neither understandable nor remotely acceptable, for elected officials, sworn in as Members of enough vaccines to vaccinate their populationshowever, more than Parliament (MPs), to openly hurl insults at each other and once. And this hoarding -- or vaccine nationalism -- meant make racist, sexist, homophobic remarks. It is not acceptable that smaller, poorer countries, with limited purchasing for this levelor of disrespect to be entertained in the National Assembly. bargaining power, were left wanting. The normalisation of racist, sexist, and homophobic reChairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Trinidad and marks in our common, social spaces might be a conversation Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley has consistently lamented this unfor another day, but for crying out loud, this is our National equal distribution of vaccines, and his sentimentsAssembly! have been Or, our Parliament, as it is more commonly called. It is not touting at the bus park! shared by World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-GenImagine the astonishment one would experience, years eral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. from now, if they were to revisit the hansards. Instead of Guyana and many other countries of the Caribbean have only well-articulated, thorough analyses of the $383.1 billion budget that was presented for the year 2021, there would received only relatively small quantities of vaccines through remarks signalling homophobia or thinly veiled insults of philanthropy thus far. Countries in this Region,be like many an MP’s reproductive capabilities. developing countries, are confronted by the challenge offair, thehowever, there were a few salient presentaTo be tions. On the first day of the debate, it is a point of pride unequal distribution of vaccines. This is not a case where that two women -- MPs Susan Rodrigues and Amanza Walton-Desir who are also new Parliamentarians -- made good presentations that one would expect at this forum. Though this absence of decorum from many of the MPs,is perhaps, not a new occurrence in the local context, it begs us to ask ourselves: what valuable contributions are our elected officials making at this forum? One would hope that the leaders elected by the people of Guyana, whether in government or opposition, would maintain a certain level of decorum in the house. In discharging their duties towards the people of the nation, at the very least, it is expected that they would engage in critical analyses of the budget. The budget debate should attempt to pinpoint deficiencies in allocations, or indicate what other areas of priority should be focused on. This is how you operate in a democracy, where transparency and accountability are underpinning tenets. This is how you respect the sanctity of Parliament. And above all countries can just sit tight and wait it out. So long as a sigelse, is this how you adequately represent the people of the nificant portion of individual populations is not nation immunised you committed to serve? Parliamentary affairs -- evaspect-- should be geared towards enhancing the against the virus, countries will not be able to ery getsingle to that development of the nation and its citizenry. semblance of normalcy, lives will continue to be affected and Admittedly, clever innuendos and witty remarks have economies will remain stymied. long been part of parliamentary presentations, not only in around the world. The addition of clever satire Equity in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout isGuyana, also abutnahas to its return usefulness in communication, no doubt. Much of tional conversation. Just as countries need vaccines what we saw last week, however, appeared to be a common to some normalcy, so too do communities in rural and outlying bottom house or rumshop debacle, replete with “props” and all, that left much to be desired. regions. Last December, Clerk of the National Assembly, As per the vaccination schedules of the local health auSherlock Isaacs, told the Guyana Chronicle that the thorities, the frontline healthcare workers -- who have placed Parliament Office would arrange and conduct training themselves at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronasessions for MPs. Training, the clerk said, is essential Parliamentarians need to learn how to draft virus -- have been receiving the vaccines first. because Nowadays, questions and motions, deal with standing orders, and, elderly persons over the age of 60 are also beingmost vaccinated importantly, need to learn about the duties of a as the second priority group. Member of Parliament. This is particularly necessary those “new faces” in the house. Once more vaccines are acquired, vaccination for will extend The recent events have indeed spotlighted the need for
to other vulnerable groups such as other frontline workers, more elderly persons, and persons living with comorbidities (other underlying diseases such as diabetes). And there is sound, scientific reasoning guiding this vaccination schedule. Guyana does not yet have enough vaccines for all citizens, as yet. Even so, there are concerns that linger over the current distribution of the vaccines across Guyana. If we are to zero in on Guyana’s largest region- Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), for example, there are only two health centres in that region where the vaccines are being distributed from the Lethem and Annai Health Centres. The concern that arises is that in this region, the vaccines are being distributed from only two points. Furthermore, both of these centres are located in the north and north-western areas of the region, which are hours away from other outlying communities. Farther south, there are 21 indigenous communities located in the Wapichan territory. Interestingly, as reported by the Guyana Chronicle, the communities in the ‘Deep South’ have remained COVID-free. None of the health centres, or the hospital in Aishalton, have been storing vaccines as yet. IT is important to note that the Ministry of Health an-
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Social Work should not be a disparaged profession in Guyana I REMEMBERED the shock on the faces of some friends and family when they found out that I was enrolled to pursue Social Work at the University of Guyana. Apparently, there was and still is a stigma attached to the profession. It is “common knowledge” that social work is a major for people without many passed subjects at CSEC,
it was a profession for the “lazy” and the “dunce” and it was a major that was “easy” to pass at the university. Apparently, also, these were meant to be insults at social workers and/or to degrade the profession as a whole. For whatever reason, these comments were thrown at me to deter me from entering into the profession because I am
somehow “too smart” to pursue it—or whatever that means. I can say with certainty that none of this is true. Social Work is the profession that helps to enhance the overall well-being and welfare of people on the micro, mezzo and macro levels of society. In Guyana, we are taught the generalist practice which means that it is a generic practice that incorporates different levels of society. Social workers in Guyana would fill the role of many titles; they are our Probation Officers, Child Protection Officers, Counsellors, Schools’ Welfare Officers, Policy Advisers and even Social Activists. Can you imagine a Guyana without these professionals? Who will fight against social injustice for the underprivileged? How can we make sense of the social world and its ills without social workers? Tuesday, March 16 was celebrated as World Social Workers Day. This day was commemorated under the theme, Ubuntu: Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness Commentary. Apart from a few social media posts and articles; nothing else was done to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of social workers in Guyana. Why is that so? I believe that this will lead us back to the social disparagement towards the entire profession in our country. I cannot say why social workers are frowned upon by many in society. Maybe, it is the stigma of mental health or the inability to consciously believe that there are ills in the social world—whatever it is, we ought to do better. Social workers work tirelessly every day to ensure that Guyana promotes equality, social justice, social welfare and inclusive policies and legislation. They deserve credit for their overall contributions towards making Guyana a developed state. They do this and so much more, all while being underpaid and overworked with enormous workloads, but that’s a story for another day. The next time you or someone you know disregard or even disrespect a social work professional, I hope you remember the message behind this article. During these challenging times, social workers are needed more than ever as social ills increase through to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Work is a disciple of the social sciences and unlike other sciences, it is the art of listening and the science of hope. We, as Guyanese, ought to learn to appreciate that a bit more before it’s too late.
XX XIV PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021 CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―― Sunday, CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday,February January 28, 10, 2021 2021
THE SEAWALLS FOREVER!
REVISITING THE GUYANA/ IN ELIMINATING VIOLENCE VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY SOON AGAINST WOMEN, ROOT CAUSES TONOT COME BEFORESYMPTOMS THE ICJ AND MERELY MUST BE ADDRESSED
THE Guyana/Venezuela controversy will again shortly and discussions where factual bases invariably become come up before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). blurred. In Guyana, most oflie thedeep writings the controversy have In thisisoffering, we will depart this with normseashells and try to THE Seawalls in theon consciousness of Guyanese today rather muddy was oncefrom covered and beenpeople, of a historical and factual nature and this a good questions have been asking theup but especially Georgetowners. Yet itis has rarelyanswer theretwo would alwaysthat be many children exploring and since picking thing, since the reports Guyanese public are encouraged of theofbeing two Guyanese fishing inthey Guyana’s been noticed by the are news mediain and the lastoftime it wasseizure FREQUENT carried thenot media violence seashells different colours; sometimes may find large for Adam expelled from theboats Garden of Eden orterrithere against women, overwhelmingly were several women likenavy Delilah Salome. The early mentioned as an item into of national concern was fiveThese or sixtorial conch shells. to move their attention the domestic realms ofviolence. arguments waters by evil a Venezuelan ship.orThe first question reports arewhen almost mentally disturbing their women’s strugglesorwere againstshelf malegradually dominance and supeyears ago theallOcean overtopped thebecause of wall and flooded The foreshore continental rises and falls grisly nature. Domestic violence has been described as riority which had the imprimatur of historical and religious the yards parallel to the Public Road. This was the first every 20 years and today, the foreshore land between Camp “behaviour which causesthat onethere partywas in asuch relationship to be teachings. In contrast, the current struggle against time in living memory an occurrence Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to theviolence height of afraid thetoother. Domestic can take the form and intrees particular domestic violence hasonitsit. and itofled great panic. Theviolence authorities hurriedly con- against the wallwomen and coconut and other vegetation grow ofstructed physical,a psychological or emotional abuse and forced roots in female sexuality. barrier of standing concrete isolation fromtofriends family members.” Almost all the reports of violence against women have an slabs onaway the Walls counterand such overtopThe kinds of violence perpetrated against women are horelement of sexuality. If the violence were to be perpetrated ping. In the last few weeks, the Seawalls rifying. Women are mercilessly beaten, often breaking their have again featured in the news, but in a limbs or damaging their faces. In a few instances, they have happier vein. From Camp Street to the Demerara River, the wall had become disfigured by an accumulation of unsightly garbage and no one assumed the responsibility of cleaning it. A homeless man, Carl Melville, who sometimes slept there was noticed by Dwayne Hackett trying to clean the garbage and immediately volunteered to help him. Hackett placed the incident on social media and immediately numbers of persons volunteered their services. First Lady Arya Ali was one of the first to volunteer and the Ministry of Public Works, the Director of Solid Waste Department of the Georgetown City Council and the Fire Service became involved with her. The Fire Service cleaned the bandstand and in a few days all the garbage was removed and Seawalls appeared as if they had always been maintained! Many have been high in their praises of this example of civic responsibility. Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land along the Kitty SeaThe Seawalls had always been the promenade and park for wall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial building the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, the last quarter 19th century continued to be so until but the sea is under it. Old fishermen who set their nets on been blinded andofinthe a large number,and they have been chopped the 1960s when country became plagued with political ten- the foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and with cutlasses orthe stabbed with knives. In one case at least, both werewere completely severed. sionarms and there robberies on the Seawalls. For most of the fall of the beach. In other instances, have beenvisited deprived of their 1960s, therefore, fewerwomen and fewer people the Seawalls. The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enearnings denied They are the often verbally abused, In itsand heyday, thefood. Seawalls were most delightful place thusiasts. Many would go there to practise deep breathing of insulted and their The efforts downplayed disregarded to unin Georgetown. vast openness oforthe seascape and the the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or dermine their landscape, self-worth the andblue self-image. they surrounding skies and Sometimes silver clouds, the even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were are locked in seagulls the house their partners when ever-present andorthestalked steady by flow of the health-giving the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group they leave the home and are thus unable to go to the police. trade winds and the enveloping peace and quietude attracted would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by Reports of sexual abuse include rape andbeach procuring hundreds of people at all timesincest of theand day. The which cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before underage girls and women for prostitution. This kind of milieu is very challenging and mentors and women’s groups have been putting forward solutions over the years. A small group of mentors have advised that women “turn the other cheek” as Jesus advised victims of hurt. They should not respond to provocations and insults and beatings, suppress their anger and forgive their tormentors. But the vast majority of women and their organisations andIIIthe From Page Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and even First Lady Arya Ali have taken a more proactive position timate that area and zone in protect the village. “So we and have for advocated that women should themselves in the space of 18 months, will work with the villagers as far as they are able and that criminal charges be brought some 33 Giant Anteaters createplay certain rulesrole and against perpetrators and that thetopolice a greater were identified. help them to know what they in domestic violence matters than they do presently. More According to Millar, re- where should the andvictims should not do. be For safe houses should be provided could searching the animals includ- example, no one is allowed afforded refuge. edSome goingsocial out on horseback to kill them,have keepadvocated them as a workers and psychologists andabusers following thembefrom a pet, destroy and that should rehabilitated rather their than habitat, punished, since the vast abusers came from distance to bemajority able to of stock light a fire in homes certain where places, abuse women was the inforprevailing and thatprotect they up onofmore scientific soenvironment that we can further themselves wereofvictims of that environment. Most people, mation. One the things the population.” both and women, reject position and has desire to theymen discovered is that the such aThe SRCS been have the abusers punished. animals love to climb trees. granted two years of addiThe question across of how the to eliminate or control “Everyone tional funding fromviolence the Small against women, especially is still unRupununi assumed it wasdomestic Grantsviolence, Programme Guyana answered and this is partly so because there is confusion jaguars when they saw huge to expand the project to three between the older struggle by women for their rights, such scratch marks on trees, but more communities, namely as the suffragette movement or the struggle for equal pay for nowand we know thatforit could’ve Shulinab Village, Wariwau men women the same work. These early struggles been the anteaters, because Outstation, and Sawariwau by women were against deep societal and even religious our researchand shows that they Village.were inferior or less assumptions prejudices that women lovemen. to climb trees,” TheEve SRCS the fundthan In the Bible,Millar for example, wasuses responsible
Research work helping curb...
disclosed.
ing to pay the local rangers
several short documentaries called the “Secret Life of Giant Anteaters” and each episode focuses on different aspects of the work being done. Two more episodes are expected to be released this month. The team also does a lot of awareness work, including environmental education. They have another project for which they have designed an environmental education curriculum that has so far been implemented in four schools in the Rupununi and come this September, depending on the coronavirus pandemic, will be implemented to 12 other schools. “The wildlife is there.
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the sun had risen. would lessalways gruesome; orthey if the is,against why ismen, the itVenezuelan public and sowere convinced On moonlit nights be thedifferent Seawalls athat crowded victim was thought of not as a woman, it would very likely have a valid claim two-thirds of with Guyana’s territory andbe promenade. Many to went to socialise friends, but all went less grisly. It is because women are thought of as sex objects why theirthe politicians bellicose and aggressive about tothat enjoy beauty ofarethesoagainst moon rising from theSadhguru, sea and the much of thethe violence themis,occurs. the this claim? And second question why did there President blue-green moonlight which was brighter, since were very popular spiritual teacher who appears on Youtube, once Maduro Venezuela choose this time toenjoy seizethe thevarious boats no road of lights it. Others would remarked thattothedilute difference between men and women was when he knew he would alienate the Guyanese population phases of the New Moon with the background of purple a small biological difference that should be confined skies to the and cause embellished the international community to condemn or with thousands of stars which appear disapprove brighter of his action, leaving Venezuela interPAGE XXV sinceSEE there were no cityisolated lights. Others nationally on the issue. would go to the Seawalls in the late afternoons to The answer to the sunsets first question began during theinto Cold admire gradually transforming the light ofof dusk. War: At theblue beginning the 1960s Britain had decided to joysthe of colony the Seawalls were the withdraw fromAnother Guyana of andthe grant independence, earlylikely evening concerts givenof bythe the newly Militia but it was very thatSunday the Prime Minister the Police at the Bandstand which independentBand stateand would be DrBand Cheddi Jagan, an avowed attracted of people. Their repertoire conMarxist. U.S. Cold hundreds War interests tried to persuade Britain sisted of light classical music such as Strauss’ and to delay Guyana’s independence, but all that Britain could other waltzes, ballet music such Delibes’ pizzicato promise was that she would hand over power to a non-ComandMinister. Sylvia, atAmerican least one English patriotic such munist Prime Intelligence feltsong that this “This royal throne of Kings” and British offerasneeded further insurance andand so Guyanese they devised Caribbean songs. The concerts arranged a plan whereby theirfolk client Venezuela wouldwere threaten to for early evening so that children could attend; many Guyanese in later life have admitted that their first exposure to classical music was from these Bandstand concerts. On Easter Monday thousands of kite-flyers turned out from five o’clock in the morning. Kites were all hand-made and were in a variety of shapes such as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predominant shape was the Guyanese octagon and in a variety of colours. Singing engines, a kite which made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular. Kite-flying was always combined with picnicking. The Easter kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday. As mentioned above, the political tensions and criminality kept people away from the Seawalls in the 1960s. By the invade Guyana if theremore wasstable any possibility of a Marxist 1990s life had become and people again began to government being installed in Guyana. frequent the Seawalls, but the ambience had changed. There Theup1899 Award hadofsettled the boundaries of grew stallsArbitral lining the parapet the Public Road from the Guyana and Venezuela and these boundaries were fully Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and accepted bystalls bothwere parties and the communiall of these well-lit. TheInternational character of the Seawalls ty. One of the junior lawyers representing Venezuela had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. at the arbitration, MalletPrevost, left ais letter was not Now that the tourism industry beingthat revived, the toSeawalls have been after his death. In that letter, still opened offer anuntil attractive attraction. he claimed that the Arbitral Award was the result of an arrangement between Britain and the Russian arbitrator to deprive Venezuela of its rights. After more than half a century, Venezuela, based on Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, now rejected the Arbitral Award and claimed twothirds of Guyana’s territory. Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter was the causus Venezuela used to threaten Guyana and this continued after the Cold War, the raison d’etre for the claim, had ended. Most lawyers and historians who took any notice of Mallet-Prevost’s letter dismissed it as a historical curiosity or very flimsy evidence on which to attempt to upset a long-accepted Arbitral Award. But the Venezuelan politicians and the Venezuelan public gave credence and importance to Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, which would have been dismissed in the modern world. But the Venezuelan politicians and public still live in the 19th century Napoleonic world where territorial conquests were regarded as acceptable and even heroic. In today’s world, this 19th-century ethic has been completely rejected. The Guyana/Venezuela controversy has been an albatross around the necks of Venezuelan politicians, since they use it on each other and their public has them imprisoned by it. The Venezuelan seizure of the two Guyanese fishing boats and President Maduro’s threatening words to Guyana was meant to create a national issue which the opposition has to support. The opposition is thus brought under Maduro’s umbrella and is temporarily neutralised. A decision by the ICJ would be in both countries’
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
CELEBRATING FORESTS AND WATER: INVALUABLE RESOURCES
ON March 21 and 22, Guyana will join the global community in observing the International Day of Forests and World Water Day. Last year, we were made aware of the inter-connectivity of forests and water. This year’s themes aim to shed light on the many values of water, as well as incorporate the International Decade of Ecosystem Restoration into observations by recognising that sustainably managed forests can be a path to recovery and well-being. Valuing Water Water means different things to different people. On World Water Day, we are asked how important is water to your home and family life? To your livelihood? To
your cultural practices? To your well-being and your environment? The theme of World Water Day 2021 is Valuing Water. Beyond the issues of pricing, this topic includes the environmental, social and cultural value people place on water. The value of water is much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource. SDG 6 is to ensure water and sanitation for all. Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone. -In households, schools, and workplaces, water can mean health, hygiene, dignity, and productivity. -In cultural, religious and spiritual places, water can mean a connection with creation, community, and oneself. -In natural spaces, water can mean peace, harmony, and preservation. Today, water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change.
Forest restoration: A path to recovery and well-being Whether you live in a forested area or not, these dynamic, bio-diverse rich ecosystems are essential for a healthy planet. Healthy forests mean healthy people Forests provide health benefits for everyone, such as fresh air, nutritious foods, clean water, and space for recreation. In developed countries, up to 25 percent of all medicinal drugs are plant-based; in developing countries, the contribution is as high as 80 percent. Forests provide healthy diets Indigenous communities typically consume more than 100 types of wild food, many harvested in forests. A study in Africa found that the dietary diversity of children exposed to forests is at least 25 percent higher than that of children who are not. Forest destruction, on the other hand, is unhealthy – nearly one in three outbreaks of emerging infectious disease are linked to land-use change such as deforestation. SEE PAGE XXIII
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
CELEBRATING FORESTS AND WATER: ... FROM PAGE XXII Restoring forests will improve our environment The world is losing 10 million hectares of forest – about the size of Iceland – each year, and land degradation affects almost 2 billion hectares, an area larger than South America. Forest loss and degradation emit large quantities of climate-warming gases, and at least 8 percent of forest plants and 5 percent of forest animals are at extremely high risk of extinction. The restoration and sustainable management of forests, on the other hand, will address the climate-change and biodiversity crises simultaneously, while producing goods and services needed for sustainable development. Sustainable forestry can create millions of green jobs Forests provide more than 86 million green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more people. Wood from well-managed forests supports diverse industries, from paper to the construction of tall buildings. Investment in forest restoration will help economies recover from the pandemic by creating even more employment. Every tree counts Small-scale planting and restoration projects can have big impacts. City greening creates cleaner air and more beautiful spaces and has huge benefits for the mental and physical health of urban dwellers. It is estimated that trees provide megacities with benefits worth USD 0.5 billion or more every year by reducing air pollution, cooling buildings and providing other services. The availability and quality of water in many regions of the world are more and more threatened by overuse, misuse and pollution, and it is increasingly recognised that both are strongly influenced by forests. Moreover, climate change is altering forest’s role in regulating water flows and influencing the availability of water resources (Bergkamp, Orlando and Burton, 2003). Therefore, the relationship between forests and water is a critical issue that must be accorded
high priority. When we drink a glass of water, write in a notebook, take medicine for fever or build a house, we do not always make the connection with forests. And yet, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another. Forested catchments supply a large proportion of all water used for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs. Trees and forests recycle moisture in the atmosphere through the process of transpiration to increase rainfall. The importance of forest and trees to rainfall and water supply include improvement of water cycle, reduction of runoff, improving the replenishment of the water table, filtration of water pollutants, control of floods and regulation of storm-water. Despite their importance, forests face enormous threats due to overexploitation. Therefore, recommendations were made for sustainable water supply and rainfall through natural regeneration by land protection, aggressive afforestation, forest conservation and sound management, as well as policy formation and implementation. Water availability has a direct impact on the health of forests and their inhabitants, which shows the importance of the relationship between forests and water. Let us continue to save the forest and stop wasting water for these two elements are critical to human and animal survival. For today and tomorrow, take some time to think about how important clean water is, and what it means to you. Think about the many services that forests offer. Let us do our part to restore our planet! For more information on the individual observances, please visit https://www. worldwaterday.org/ and http://www.fao.org/international-day-of-forests/en/ You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Women across borders sharing their journeys
I AM celebrating seven amazing women from the Women Across Borders Anthologies. When the host of Watch Radio NY requested an interview with me, I asked him if it was okay for me to invite life changers to join me. I am sharing some excerpts from their stories. Dr. Jackie Evan Phillips -- born in St Lucia, living in Connecticut My journey towards being a Midwife of Purpose came through stages of being broken, displaced, and restored. Through this journey, I experienced a divorce, earned a doctorate and got displaced from a higher education administrator’s position. Coupled with this journey were two major eclipses or shifts in my life. An eclipse happens when you can realise that your calling becomes greater than your current circumstances. Through this process, you can transcend to a higher mode of thinking where you can connect with your spirit and align yourself as one with nature. Christine Neblett – born in Guyana and living in NY That day I began to have the real experience of dreaming and bringing my dream world alive. I was immediately scheduled for an interview with the agency where they tested my proficiency in using Microsoft Office and typing speed.
One week later I completed my assignment with CTO and was now ready to move on to my next career move. I called Monique to let her know I was available as we agreed and she was so happy to have me start my first temporary assignment with Deutsche Bank. My first
assignment lasted two weeks, covering someone’s vacation. Due to my work ethic and desire to go the extra mile, I landed another assignment in the same department for six months, then another for three months, which finally led to my permanent position, allowing me to live a dream. Dr. Safeeya Mohamed – Trinidad We received the updates that the accident was horrific and that the victim was stuck in the car. The vehicle had to be cut open to get to the victim. It never occurred to me that my brother could be remotely involved. The next thing I remember, I was looking at the body of my brother covered in blood in a hearse. The strident, agonising scream of my mother in the A&E that early morning has not escaped my mind almost 17 years later as she howled “my son died, my son died, nobody’s helping us!” But nobody could, as his spirit departed at the point of impact. Up to this day, I ponder where the strength came from to navigate that night. Shanon Paar – Arizona
When I was six years old I started school in Mesa, Arizona, so I began staying with my mom and her husband routinely. It was like going from heaven to hell. It was a horror story that’s yet to be written. While at grandma’s I was filled with the love of a grandma and Jesus daily. On the other hand, at my mother’s house, I was filled with Rock ‘N Roll, drugs and inappropriate, wild sex parties. Ultimately, from such an environment you can imagine the kinds of abuse that mom’s house provided. When I was 11 years old, grandma Shirley died and my stepdad left. My mom had an emotional breakdown, so I ran away! I couldn’t take any more. Andrea Edwards – born in Guyana, living in Florida As I sat in the back of my dad’s Nissan Bluebird, I peered through the windows at the images on the fence of the Guyana Botanical Gardens and Zoological Park. The radio blasted the popular calypso song “1985” by a then-popular calypsonian. I would have just celebrated my sixth birthday, quite oblivious to the concept of time, but that song would not allow me to forget that it was 1985.
I knew that I would be in big trouble if I told my dad what had happened. It was a secret: the kind that could get me into big trouble. I didn’t know how much trouble, but I wasn’t willing to take a chance. “Shhhh... Don’t tell anyone.” Maybe it’s the trauma of my experience, but for some reason I still cannot remember how often it happened, when it started, or even when it ended Penny Phakahi –South Africa I have had my share of turmoil and I strongly believe that it is these stints of turmoil that brought me this far in my life. I was and perhaps is still in my refinery process. As a young girl, I grew up with one main ambition, wanting to get away, far away from the system of thinking or the box that we often find ourselves in. Apart from understanding myself I always dared to be different, which was a constant struggle when surrounded by my situations. I grew up under a strict Christian family with my grandfather and step granny, as my mother lost her mom SEE PAGE XXV
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
IN ELIMINATING VIOLENCE AGAINST... FROM PAGE XXI bedroom and bathroom and should not be allowed to define men or women. Though Sadhguru was not speaking of or referring to violence against women, his remark is pertinent to it, since if the perpetrators of violence against women were to think of them as human beings, such violence may not occur or it would be less horrifying. If this proposition is accepted and women are perceived primarily as human beings and not as sex objects, the main root cause of violence against women could then be addressed. In our view, the state and the various women’s groups have been largely addressing the symptoms of the problem, and though their efforts are laudable and very necessary, they should accompany these efforts by striving to have society perceive women primarily as human beings and not sex objects. This is a process of education in which the media, the school system, the teachers training college and the university will have to be enlisted and occasions such as female beauty contests would be treated as of less importance. We would then be moving towards the elimination of the horrors of violence against women.
Women across borders... FROM PAGE XXIV
when she was quite young. She had a duty to take care of her two young siblings until my step granny came into the picture. Life was never easy, in all the challenges though, my mother had big aspirations. Claudia Vidal – born in The Dominican Republic, living in New Jersey . I exhaled and asked myself, “time, where you have been?” How is it possible to lose track of all the time and energy spent on fulfilling my role within this organisation? Nodding my head, for the 50th time, I searched for an answer that proved I should continue working for this organisation. That my sacrifices were not in vain; yet I could not find one valid reason to stay. I abruptly turned my body to the right, looked straight ahead, and walked north through the congestive sidewalk in Lexington Avenue. Meanwhile, reminding myself that I’d made the right decision, as I walked towards 128th street my eyes met my husband’s in a subtle attempt to ease his worried stare. I thanked him for supporting my decision despite knowing that it would significantly affect our financial situation. I assured him that the best was yet to come There are many more phenomenal co-authors and I encourage reading of their stories as we continue to celebrate life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Onions
ONION (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable cultivated and used around the world. It is widely consumed in Guyana. All onions (white and red varieties) found on the local markets are imported from the United States of America, Canada or India. Guyana has the available land and soil quality (loamy sands and sandy loams) along with climatic suitability to successfully cultivate onions on a large scale and satisfy its local demand. Research done during the period 2015 – 2020 showed that short-day varieties of both white and red onions can be successfully grown under shaded and open field conditions. Farmers in Regions Three, Four, Six and 10 have successfully cultivated ¼ area plots of onions under open field conditions. Areas planted included Supply, Jonestown, Canal # 1, Parika, Free and Easy, Nurney, Kildonan, Bush lot, Bright town, Light Town, Phillipi, Transport and West Wootaka. Onion cultivation will support the agricultural diversification programme that seeks to reduce the number of onions imported and provide food security, especially in hinterland areas. The cultivation of onions under shaded and open field conditions will make all-year-round production possible. Varieties that are adapted to local soil types and ecological conditions are Mercedes, Red Creole, Yellow F1 Granex and Texas Early Grano. The sourcing of new varieties with desired traits and incorporating them into the already successful varieties provides a way of securing our future. Strengthening crop resilience, however, will require a combination of actions, including maintaining and expanding crop portfolios, using both traditional and innovative approaches.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
A deeper .... FROM PAGE III
Hadi in the fields upriver
Centre. Moving Circle of Artists Aside from teaching, Hadi is the Coordinator of the Moving Circle of Artists (MCA), a group influenced by the late George Simon. MCA supports the work of indigenous artists in Guyana with a strong focus on encouraging young talents to share their skills and knowledge in indigenous communities. This process involves travelling, conducting workshops for villagers, making public presentations, organizing art displays and report writing. Since she joined the group in 2017, Hadi has engaged in hosting the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival at Manari Ranch and also at the Georgetown Connection. “I took up the responsibility of heading a team of six with me being the only female, to conduct an art workshop in Rewa Village. There I accompanied Andrew Campbell on a three-day river expedition on the Rewa River where he did an archaeological survey and I did a survey on the impacts of mining in the Marudi area on villages and the environment in the North. I also supervised a one month workshop in Surama village and a few at Karanambu Ranch,” the young woman explained, of her involvement and contributions to MCA. Her most prized output is the Rewa Rewa Workshop where, for three years after the event, Hadi said youths were still creating art pieces and contributing to their villages’ development. Some of these are pieces are sold through social media while others are sent to Georgetown for marketing. With personal goals to pursue a Master’s degree in Limnology and wetland management, Hadi said her vision for MCA is to one day establish a school where youths of the Rupununi are enabled to comfortably express and exchange their skills and talents with each other. During an expedition with MCA colleague Andrew Campbell, Hadi participated in a three-day expedition along the Rewa and Quitaro rivers to better understand the specific environment and archaeological matters. Hadi focused on the effects of mining and other environmental issues on the rivers and inhabitants whereby she zeroed in on pollution, overfishing and overhunting. Over the years, Hadi participated in various presentations on the findings of several environmental research including the Fifth International Congress of Biodiversity on the Guiana Shield in Columbia 2019.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Visit Guyana Tours back with full steam and gearing up for re-launch VISIT Guyana Tours, an exciting and reliable local travel company that has managed to carve its niche in the country’s tourism industry within a relatively short time, will officially be re-launching in April to fully get back into the groove of facilitating vacation planning, exploration and the works. With people generally optimistic about the future and wanting to get back to travelling and the outdoors, following months of limitations brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, Visit Guyana Tours thinks there is no better time than now to re-launch. Founded by Stacey and Chris Rahaman, Visit Guyana Tours is a spin-off of the popular Travel and Tourism Brand SEE PAGE XXIX
Based on feedback, Visit Guyana has learnt that many are anxious to get back to travel
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 21, 2021
Visit Guyana Tours back ...
Tours for persons with specific interests such as cooking and food will soon come on board
FROM PAGE XXVIII Visit Guyana. The company helps both local and overseas visitors to plan and execute a wide range of their holiday and travel plans in Guyana. These include tours for birdwatching, hiking, the Esse-
Stacey Rahaman at the popular Blue Lake at Kara Kara, Linden
quibo River, Georgetown City, Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls; Seven Curry Tours, Market Tours and many more. Visit Guyana Tours will also be launching new tours for persons with specific interests such as art and craft, cooking, indigenous experiences and fishing. The company was started just before the pandemic had set in last year, and was thus put on hold. “We thought now was the perfect time to relaunch because of the travel and tour inquiries we are receiving from not only persons in the diaspora but locals and expats who are anxious to get SEE PAGE XXX
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Visit Guyana Tours back ... FROM PAGE XXIX
Birdwatching and hiking tours are available
back to travel,” Stacey told Pepperpot Magazine recently. Due to its wide reach on social media and otherwise, the company has managed to build up relationships with people from all over the world. “They often reach out to us for tour information and guidance because they trust our brand and tour recommendations. We also, over the years, have forged wonderful relationships with many local tour operators whom we continue to work in partnership with to offer tours.” So in a nutshell, Stacey said they took their fan inquiries and feedback into consideration and crafted tours based on their needs and the experiences of those who have visited Guyana before. Visit Guyana reaches in the vicinity of five million people every month on its Facebook page alone and Stacey believes that this translates into a lot of interest in Guyana and the unique, immersive adventure, cultural and culinary experiences one can find here. She makes it a point to visit the places where her company offers tours and would subsequently showcase her experiences live and through photos and videos so that she is in a better position to make suggestions and offer intricate details. “This gives people a unique perspective of the place, amenities and adventures…and also gives them the opportunity to ask direct questions about the places. People feel more secure speaking to a real person, rather than a ‘page’ and this helps them to make more informed traveller decisions,” Stacey noted. Visit Guyana also collaborates to resell tours from other tour operators and consolidates all available tours in Guyana under one roof. “For example, operators who don’t have an office or perhaps they are in a remote area and don’t have data access, they can use our office and resources to facilitate all tour logistics including bookings.” This approach eases the burden on a potential visitor, who, rather than having to make numerous calls and visit numerous pages or offices, can get all the information they need from several tour operators in one place.
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A man of prayer and... FROM PAGE V
of seven children, one of whom is also a pastor, Rev. Gittens led his home and church by example. At the age of 61, and with the support of his wife Marjorie and other close family members, Rev. Gittens founded a new ministry called, “210 Christian Gospel Assembly” at their home at Durban Backlands, Georgetown. Birthed through weekly Bible Study and Prayer Meetings, those endeavours resulted in the debtfree construction of a church building at Lodge Housing Scheme in Georgetown. The edifice attests his competence in construction as congregants are led in Godly pursuits in the sanctuary, such as school feeding and camaraderie in the Fellowship Hall. That programme results in practical responses for the needs of the people of the Lodge Housing Scheme and environs. Rev. Gittens still mourns the passing of his wife Marjorie of 67 years, who went to be with the Lord in 2011. In 1973 there was an incident when Rev. Gittens nearly lost his life. He was a passenger in a vehicle which was travelling along the West Coast of Berbice Public Road, when it got into an accident at Number 12 village. Reverend Gittens was badly injured and spent three months recuperating in hospital. Nonetheless, after he regained full health, he continued being the avid gardener he is and has produced enough food to feed many families. His own favourite dishes are cook-up rice with fish stew. Mango tops the list of his favourite fruits. The life’s work and legacy of the Rev. Joseph Gittens by his Christian Ministry are seen through the practical programmes he executed through the church he founded, as he faithfully toiled in God’s vineyard over the decades. All who know him will vouch and proclaim his sterling contributions, not only to his immediate family, but also those whose lives he touched. The Rev. Joseph Gittens may not like to seek the limelight, but on this special time of his century on planet Earth, the Limelight sought him, and rightly so. During the past two weeks, there were many segments of celebration for his centenary of life. The celebrations included a motorcade drive-by at his home. Gifts and tributes were also received from home and abroad. Although now a citizen 100 years of age, the Reverend Joseph Gittens remains a man of prayer and work. He is still making contributions to Guyana, and from all indications, he will continue to do so for some time to come, still being a man of prayer and work. FQF1
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Equity in the COVID-19 ...
FROM PAGE XIX This mechanism is in place throughout the regions.
With this current system, however, there is a great possibility that many persons who are scheduled to receive their vaccines now, will not
necessarily receive them. The ice-boxes are not conducive for longer-term storage and many of the health centres in the outlying regions
may not be equipped with the requisite cold-storage capability to store the vaccines. On both the national and international fronts, greater efforts need to be directed towards ensuring that there is equity in the rollout of
these COVID-19 vaccines. Whether it is in the Caribbean Region or Region Nine, the vaccines must get to the people in need, so that all communities and regions can move beyond the stagnation imposed by this COVID-19
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pandemic. If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
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MARCH 21, 2021 STUDY SUCCESS
THOUGHT FOR TODAY Th
ere are as man there are people y opinions as : each own correct wayhas his . TERENCE (c. 19 0-159 B.C.) Phormio, 454
Dear Student, Welcome, dear friend. We have always advocated that you revise continuously as time marches you toward an examination. Evidence has shown a good practice, that some students begin revision from the very first week of study, and even increase time and seriousness to their cause,
six to eight weeks before their examination. These have had much great success. Higher examination scores often come from seriously going back over again the course content previously covered. Be wise. Love you. IMPROVING READING Author’s Purpose When we talk about author’s purpose, we talk about the why behind their writing. What motivates them to produce; their intent and what they hope to achieve. There are THREE common author’s purposes of writing we want to explain today, from a longer list. These are to persuade, to inform, and to entertain. FIRST: The very common purpose of writing to persuade comes particularly in non-fiction writing to convince of the merit of a certain point of view, and or to subsequently take a certain course of action. Look out for essays, advertisements, and political writing which persuade. When you are endeavouring to produce your own persuasive writing, use repetitions, repeating of points; supply various types of supporting evidence; use hyperbole; attack opposing views; and use forceful phrases, emotive imagery (and photographs), etc. INFORM: The purpose of writers penning to inform or educate readers is their wish to enlighten readership about a real-world happening, like present day writings and videos with facts about Covid-19. Textbooks, recipe books, and newspapers are the chief sources of this kind of writing. When you endeavour to use writing to inform readership, provide lots of facts. Stick to your sole purpose of giving out information. Some professional writers mask opinion amid the facts to promote their personal agendas. These writers mask opinions amid the facts and offer persuasion masquerading as information.
E N T E RTA I N : Wr i t ers of entertainment keep things as interesting as possible. This form of writing is very versatile and can be found in many genres. Do not be surprised to find entertainment in science fiction, romance, and fantasy to name a few. When you write to entertain, get versatile and include action-packed scenes after action-packed scenes building up to a crescendo, inventive characterization, or/ and sharp dialogue. Let your characters tell jokes. [We know that writers have other main purposes which include either DESCRIBING or EXPLAINING. These are easier to digest and will be looked at in detain in our next edition.] Let us now look at the reading of these two short passages on author’s purpose. Then answer the questions against each. It is difficult to escape the influence of television. If you fit the statistical averages, by the age of 20 you will have been exposed to at least 20,000 hours of television. You can add 10,000 hours for each decade you have lived after the age of 20. The only thing Americans can do more than watch television are work and sleep. ( “ T h e Tr o u b l e w i t h Television” by Robert McNeil) 1. You can predict the author’s purpose is A.. to explain the benefits of watching television. B.. to show that Americans work too many hours. C.. to show that Americans watch too much television. D.. to show how hard it is to produce a television show. 2. To achieve this purpose, the author cites A.. other experts’ opinion. B.. statistics about television watching. C.. statistics about television ownership. D.. the opinions about television critics. 3. According to the author, which statement is true? A.. Americans watch
20,000 hours of television in a lifetime. B.. Older Americans watch more television than younger ones. C.. Americans work fewer hours than they spend watching television. D. Americans watch about 10,000 hours in a decade. 4. What is the tone of the rest of the essay most likely to be? A. serious B.. humorous C.. inspirational D.. annoyed Political cartoons that often appear in print media present a particular point of view. Political, cartoons not only express an opinion, but they also try to influence the reader’s view on an issue. Using exaggeration and humour, cartoonists make powerful statements. Most political cartoons use symbols instead of words. A symbol is a concrete object that represents something else. In analysing a political cartoon, look at all the images and words. They are the keys to understanding the cartoonist’s point of view. 1. Which of the following can be left out of a summary? A.. Political cartoons present a particular point of view. B.. They often appear in newsprint. C.. Most political cartoons use symbols. D.. A symbol represents something. 2. The best organiser for this passage’s information would be A.. a timetable. B.. a Venn diagram. C.. an outline. D.. a chart. 3. The definition of a political cartoon appears in A.. paragraph one. B.. paragraph two. C.. both paragraphs. D.. neither paragraphs. 4. Which should NOT be included in a summary? A.. Cartoons are powerful statements. B.. The American flag is a U.S. symbol. C.. Cartoonists influence readers. D.. Images and words are key to understanding.
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The dentist and domestic violence VIOLENCE within families and in intimate relationships is now recognised as a widespread problem. Abuse tends to recur and may continue until the victim dies as a result of his or her injuries. Every effort should be made to intervene and stop this chain of events so that the cycle of violence will cease. Although victims are often reluctant to report their abuse, the fact that about 75 percent of physical injuries are inflicted to the region of the head, face, mouth, and neck which places dentists in a particularly good position to recognise the signs of abuse and take steps to intervene. Domestic violence is a complex and pervasive problem affecting a large proportion of Guyanese society. The clinical signs and symptoms of violence in day-to-day practice become more readily apparent if we understand what to look for and appreciate the urgency of identifying victims of abuse and those at risk. Domestic violence was once believed to be relatively uncommon. The problem is now recognised as a pervasive societal issue that affects thousands of individuals. Tragically, it is estimated that 50 percent of the mothers of the abused children are victims of abuse themselves. Domestic violence issues – including battering and sexual abuse of women, children, and elderly people – are receiving increased attention as the public recognises the impact that these problems have on social programs, health care, and the family unit. Violence against individuals who are unable to defend themselves is attracting new interest, not only because of the moral implications but because of the financial burden inflicted on society. When one considers just the costs of treating injuries, the potential impact on health care is staggering. Approximately 75 percent of the physical injuries suffered at the hands of an abuser are inflicted on the head, face, mouth, and neck. Even when persons suffering in abusive relationships avoid seeking medical attention, they often keep dental appointments for routine treatment. As a result, dentists and allied dental personnel are in an ideal position to identify the injuries associated with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In addition to expedient judicial support, a major barrier to dentists’ reporting seems to be lack of training and experience in identifying abuse and neglect. This problem is apparent among other health care professionals as well. Studies have indicated that many pediatric admissions to hospitals may result from abuse, but are treated as isolated events without attention to environmental circumstances. Physical signs of domestic abuse include fractured teeth, oral lacerations, fractures of the jaw, bruising, and scarring of the face and lips should be carefully evaluated as possible signs of physical abuse. Bruises and cuts to the ears, perforated tympanic membranes, broken or bruised noses, and cigarettes or ligature burns to the face, neck, or arms also may be clinical clues to abuse. Many injuries of physical abuse are focused on the head because this is a readily accessible area. Additionally, the mouth is often a target because this is where communication originates. Injuries from violence perpetrated in an attempt to cut off communication and keep the individual quiet often involve the teeth and oral structures. Injuries may take many forms including, but certainly not limited to, traumatic bruises and nonaccidental abrasions, lacerations, and contusions. Burns may be identified from such sources as cigarettes, lighters or matches, heated objects, and caustic chemicals. In general, the nature of the injury observed at the time of examination does not fit the reported history of the injury. This contradictory information should serve as a signal to the dentist that something is wrong. In this case, it is vital to follow up with additional questions and a comprehensive examination in an attempt to find the truth behind the injury. Whenever possible, try to question the patient separately
from the family member or caregiver and compare the explanations for the injury. Is there a discrepancy between explanations for the injury? Does one person seem to be misrepresenting the facts? Arrangements should be in place whereby the reports of dentists on suspicion of domestic violence cases must be given priority for expeditious action by the relevant authorities.
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