SUNDAY MAY 16, 2021
Director of NCERD Quenita Walrond-Lewis has developed and co-created classroom-based assessment, and other major projects at NCERD
A focus on holistic curriculum reform
New NCERD head has packed agenda in store
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Friendships that are golden
By Francis Quamina Farrier
THERE are friendships between individuals who have stood the test of time- from primary school days into adulthood and on to mature years. In the good times and the bad times, as well as during the in-between times, such friendships never waver. In fact, such individuals are always loyal to each other and never say an unkind word to each other. They never say anything in the public domain which would potentially embarrass or hurt a “Golden Friend.” There is that saying, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver, the other gold.” As the COVID-19 pandemic surges on in neighbouring Brazil and far-away India, Guyana is keeping steadfast to those two giant
countries which have been loyal friends to Guyana since independence. Brazil and India can be classified as “Golden Friends” of Guyana. Both countries are now suffering tremendously due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is now ravishing their populations. I have just seen on a Facebook post, the image of a large flag of India with a group of people kneeling around it with clasped hands and obviously praying for the country at this time of grave health distress. Guyanese of faith can offer up prayers that this deadly surge of the coronavirus in India will abate, and the death count is substantially reduced. Such prayers by Christians, Hindus and Muslims -- the three official religions of Guyana -- can go a long way in sending solace to Brazil and India, our “Golden Friends.”
Farrier with former Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Venkatachalam Mahalingam
While the Guyana government continues to maintain trade and other bilateral activities with both Brazil and India, it is incumbent on individual Guyanese who have friends in those two countries, to continue to communicate with them and give
moral and other support as best they could. That’s what friends do. Recall the song which promotes the sentiments, “That’s What Friends are for.” Many individual Guyanese can use the modern technology available, such as cellphones and computers, to
keep in touch with relatives, friends and colleagues in Brazil, India and other countries. From my own experience, a phone call is usually greatly appreciated by the recipient at this difficult time. There are those old enough to have experienced what it took to make a phone call from British Guiana to the USA. It took hours -- sometimes even days. The caller in British Guiana had to call the Telephone House on Brickdam in Georgetown. A response was not always immediate. One of the “Hello Girls” who answered would take your phone number and the number you wanted to be connected to in the USA. You would then need to wait for her to call you back when she was able to make the connection to the person abroad. It would be your misfortune not to be at home when she calls you back. At that time,
phones were not mobile but affixed to a wall in your home or placed on a desk or table. In this, the new and progressive age of the global village, relatives, friends, business associates and others, can keep in touch regularly via electronic technology with no middle person. No “Hello Girl” at the Telephone House is needed to get you connected. In fact, with the use of a little contraption known as a cellphone, you do everything yourself and connect with the person you want to speak with thousands of miles away, within seconds. We are now well aware of the terrible suffering of Brazilians and Indians as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With modern methods of communication, we can, and should keep in touch with those we know in those SEE PAGE XXIV
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
A focus on holistic curriculum reform
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New NCERD head has packed agenda in store By Telesha Ramnarine QUENITA Walrond-Lewis, the woman at the helm of the National Centre of Educational Resources Development (NCERD), is the epitome of class, confidence, passion, and drive. With such qualities, it’s not hard to imagine why she would constantly be streamlining new efforts to improve the efficiency of the organisation. At just 40-years-old, Quenita has already acquired for herself an impressive track record of competence, diligence, and stability in her academic field and career. She is a product of St. Margaret’s Primary; Sandford English Community School; Queen’s College; University of Guyana; University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM); Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/ University of Toronto (OISE/UT) Upon her return to Guyana after her studies, Quenita, a mother of four girls, began her local professional career at NCERD where she worked with colleagues to reignite the then dormant Nursery Unit of the Curriculum division of the entity. Today, this unit is one of the vibrant areas of the institution. She describes her post at NCERD as “both an honour and privilege” because she recognises the incontestable significance the institution holds for the propulsion of education development in Guyana.
Quenita’s immediate priority for NCERD is an aggressive drive to holistic curriculum reform
Director of NCERD Quenita Walrond-Lewis
Quenita with her supportive husband and children
A cross-fit enthusiast and athlete
At the moment, even as NCERD answers the call for a comprehensive response to the furtherance and provisioning of education delivery during extended school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Quenita sees her immediate priority for the institution as an aggressive drive to holistic curriculum reform. “This is in both content - making the curriculum more streamlined and developmentally appropriate-; and methodology – where teaching and learning take place in a fashion that is more student-centred and practical, where application and understanding trumps recall and regurgitation,” she explained in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine recently. Also top on her agenda is the fortification of the institution through streamlining administrative processes that would make the agency more efficient and autonomous, along with strong advocacy for better emolument packages for the agency’s technical experts and thought leaders for their professional services. “NCERD needs to be able to attract and retain the best and brightest resource personnel if it is to fulfill its mandate to be at the cutting edge, rather than the bleeding edge of education advancement,” she expressed. Over the past seven years, Quenita has developed and co-created classroom-based assessment, monitoring and evaluation tools, and teaching resources to be used at the Nursery, Primary, and Secondary level by teachers, headteachers, and education officers. She has also provided capacity building experiences SEE PAGE IV
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Nursing, a noble yet humble profession
By Dillon Goring
N U R S E Odette Adams Thornton, a nurse who has been in the profession for over 21 years is of the view that the profession has evolved over the years. During an interview with Pepperpot Magazine, Nurse Thornton noted that the principles of nursing remain the same, there are no shortcuts in doing this job. “I wouldn’t say gone are the days when nurses are not all wearing white, but it is the profession that has really seen the level of dynamics because people admire the nurses wearing white but not all nurses wear white,” Nurse Odette told the Pepperpot Magazine. She noted that you can come into the profession being a nursing assistant and work your way up to become a Ward Sister, thus managing the day to day running of the Ward. When asked what she likes about the profession, Nurse Odette responded that it is a profession that humbles you given the level of kindness and compassion that the profession attracts and the level of patience that is needed for the job. “People come from different backgrounds, from every sphere of life and we cannot stereotype [people]
based on somebody’s reaction or attitude when it comes to giving care,” Nurse Odette was quoted as saying. Days when you feel like you have overworked “There are times in my career when I feel like I have overworked myself, but it is in those times that I garner support from my colleagues…Nursing is all about the team, it is never a one-man show,” she explained. “There was one point in my life, that I could remember doing Nursing and going without a salary for a year and going to work every day. It is not about the money, but having a heart and showing kindness to people.” The nurse attributed her love for the job to her ability to administer kindness to persons from all walks of life and persons who need care. Following a whole line of people in her family who were in the profession was the motivation for Nurse Odette to join the noble profession. “When I think triggered it more is there was an incident in my family, where a family member had to go to the hospital and had needed attention and care. After I saw this family member lying there and how the nurses and doctors manoeuvred around him, I was moved to compassion,
and made the decision to join this noble profession,” Nurse Odette revealed. Motivators in the profession “I think my mom is my biggest motivator, a former nurse herself,” Nurse Odette told Pepperpot Magazine. She also added that if she had to do it all over again, nursing would have been the profession chosen, as a result, if a choice was to be made by her, it would have been something in addition to her nursing career. According to her, in the profession of nursing, you have to counsel people and the like. “A passion for what you do should be your driving force in the upward mobility of your career as a nurse,” she said. Nurse Odette believes that change of the individual should be the catalyst regarding improvement of the nursing profession in Guyana. “I believe it needs to start personally, before we can move to societal community, and all of that, because you are a nurse in your home first, then your community and then the larger society,” Nurse Odette related. International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The In-
Nurse Odette Adams Thornton
ternational Council of Nurses (ICN) commemorates this important day each year. The theme for the 2021
resource is Nurses: A Voice to Lead - A vision for future healthcare. In 2021, we seek to show how nursing will
look into the future as well as how the profession will transform the next stage of healthcare.
New NCERD head has packed agenda ... FROM PAGE III
Over the past seven years, Quenita has developed and co-created classroom-based assessment, and other major projects at NCERD
for in-service teachers and administrators, as well as education officers, to support their use of pedagogical best practices. “NCERD is rightly described as the ‘nerve centre’ of the Ministry because it should be the locus of education innovation, research, and tangible solutions for driving positive education outcomes for learners throughout the country,” she said. It is from the talented
and dedicated educators at NCERD, informed by leading national, regional and international research and practice, that pedagogy and teaching methodologies are evaluated, she noted, adding that they are then shaped for the unique culture and context of Guyana, and ultimately used to enhance teaching and learning that would provide greater opportunities for students to succeed.
Quenita would someday like to be the boss of her own teaching and learning Early Childhood Development Institute; become a published children’s book author, and become a global ambassador for children’s rights and sustainable educational development. Married to her loving and supportive husband Philip Lewis, she is a crossfit enthusiast and athlete; and is very family-oriented.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Drive and determination Hallmarks of Grandmaster Veronica DeSantos’ success By Frederick Halley “VENTURING into a male-dominated business where most martial arts schools fail within the first 24 months was terrifying, but I had the drive and determination to succeed. These attributes helped me to seek out help and remain focused.” In an interview with Lead Thru Sports, two years ago, those were the words uttered by Grandmaster and Founder 7th-Degree Black Belt, Guyana-born Veronica De Santos. Veronica is the proud owner of DeSantos Premier Martial Arts Studio, celebrating 32 years of teaching Tae Kwan Do and Karate at two locations in Toronto, Canada. She is also the lead instructor among a well-qualified group that has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has since resorted to doing their stuff through Zoom. An extremely busy woman, Veronica took time off from her busy schedule to speak with the Pepperpot Magazine last Monday and the conversation was awe-inspiring. Known as Kwan Jan Nim, a Korean term meaning “master of one’s house,” Veronica started teaching martial arts out of a community centre, but she aimed to open her own martial arts studio. In 1988, unable to find the money to do so, she took her own next month’s rent and used it to travel to Boston, USA. There she competed in a martial arts tournament, where only a win as Grand Champion would earn her the U.S.$5,000 prize that would allow her a plane ticket back to Toronto with enough money to pay her rent and open the school. Less than one month later, DeSantos Martial Arts opened its doors. According to Veronica, despite ridicule from former instructors, training partners and most men in the field, she started martial arts because she wanted to defend herself and wanted to know she had a right as a woman to walk anywhere and be safe. She also wanted to teach others as much as possible to aspire to do the same. The DeSantos Premier Martial Arts institution teaches the style of Tae Kwan Do, with a mix of other martial arts with a variety of skills, including form, sparring, self-defence, character-building and discipline. The age
range for classes start from three years and up. There are programmes for Tiny Champs (ages 3-4), Little Champs (ages 5-7), Youth Classes (ages 8-12) and Teen and Adult Classes (13 years
Prior to opening her studio, Veronica was ranked Canada’s number one female fighter, a title she held between 1982-1990. In 1994, she represented Canada at the Goodwill Games
Grandmaster Veronica DeSantos
and up). Students wanting to train can also choose from beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. Ve ro n i c a d e s c r i b e d opening a martial arts school as a very tough business, especially for a single woman. She alluded to the fact that being a single woman and a woman of colour with limited education were also barriers she had to overcome.
in St. Petersburg, Russia and in 1999 became the first woman to be inducted into the North American Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In 2016, she was also inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame. Veronica, who has participated in competitions in Russia, Germany, England, Serbia, and Italy, feels that to achieve anything, it takes hard work, perseverance and
coming to a new country. Veronica believes that once you are a committed individual “anything is possible.” She is ample proof of this and feels she is a role model for young girls, a commitment she takes very seriously. Describing her martial achievements, Veronica said attaining a Black Belt meant hours and hours of training and never giving up. She enjoyed the journey and trusted the process as she knew anything of worth doesn’t come easily. Staying focused, she said, was essential in her career as a competitor and also as a business owner as when her friends were partying, she was training or studying. “The goals I set were important to me and my hard work made them a reality.” Veronica boasted that through her company she was exposed to leaders in the field of sales, marketing and customer service. She studied hard and learned the concepts and started to see the rewards of applying those concepts to her business. Admitting that It was an uphill battle, she pointed out that 32 years later, with two successful locations, hundreds of Black Belts and
One of De Santos’s students
an annual fund-raising walk, which commences at her studio in Toronto and ends at the world-famous Niagara Falls. This year’s Walk, over the 145-kilometre journey,
Flashback- Participants at the annual DeSantos Foundation Walk
However, a determined Veronica was never going to give up, despite sleepless nights and also doubting her abilities to continue. She found ways to rise above and sought the help of other women in the business who were running similar schools.
unrelenting will. She pointed out that she possesses those attributes since there are no short-cuts but lots of sacrifices. She opined that martial arts gave her a foundation to live her life and confidence to pursue her dreams after
the same resiliency she still possesses the driving force behind everything she does. Eager to give back to the community in Guyana and Toronto, Veronica started up a non-profit organisation -- The DeSantos Foundation – comprising
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is scheduled for September 23 – 26 with funds garnered going to a variety of causes, which include school breakfast programmes, both locally and internationally. According to Veronica, she makes annual financial contributions and also provides shoes, school uniforms
and scholarships for children in Guyana and in the Philippines, but the COVID-19 pandemic baulked her programme last year, preventing her from visiting. She however disclosed that she has over 300 specially made backpacks earmarked for schoolchildren in her homeland. During one of her visits, she also presented a printer to the Covent Garden School. Alluding to the fact that sports have always been part of her life from a very young age, Veronica said she wanted to do everything from playing cricket as well as martial arts, but being the youngest of 10 children, her mother and other siblings impressed upon her that she should not participate in martial arts. Today, Veronica said she has no regrets and loved every minute of the classes while doing extra training on her own. Despite failing her first test, this didn’t deter her as it taught her the valuable lesson of not giving up. According to her, “success is built on failures and failure is an opportunity to learn.” Born at Prospect, East Bank Demerara, Guyana, Veronica migrated to Toronto, Canada, in June, 1975, four months shy of her 17th birthday and once settled the first thing she looked for was a martial arts school. Her undying love for martial arts had just begun.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Yakusari Village ‘The bread basket’ of Guyana welcomes development
By Michel Outridge THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine journeyed to the far-flung village of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. The people of this village are simple and hardworking. The village has one main access road in and out and no internal streets but the residents believe that there is much need for upgrading due to its muddy state. Yakusari is the very first village along the Black Bush Polder, Main Access Road, seven miles inland from the public road. However, the Black Bush Polder Road is entirely 22 miles long and it spans five villages which are Yakusari, Mibicuri, Johanna, Zambia and Lesbeholden. The population in Yakusari is about 1,300 and the main source of income is farming.
About eight years now the people have been complaining about low water pressure and no potable water supply during the morning hours in their homes. The village has electricity, no landline phones but internet services only on cell phones which is not very reliable. In Yakusari Village there is a Health Centre, a Mandir, a mosque, a market and a primary school. The main Hospital is a village away which is Mibicuri. Yakusari village is located between the villages of #43 and Bengal, on the Corentyne corridor. The people of this village would welcome all-weather roads so gone would be the days they have to wade through ankle-deep mud from their homes to get from one point to another in the village.
A few wooden bridges linking muddy footpaths to another were erected late last year and the people were very pleased because they replaced rotting one-person bridges. The people have motorcycles, bicycles and others have cars, and tractors which they use to access the muddy dams, which serve as internal streets and to get to the farmlands, which is very vast. The residents expressed that their immediate needs are potable water supply, all-weather roads and streets, street lights, landline phones and internet service. The school children in this village also deal with the difficulty of walking through the thick mud in casual clothing to get to the road then wash off and change into their uniforms. Nevertheless, Yakusari is considered to be a ‘bread bas-
Yakusari Village (Carl Croker photos)
Focus on the Village
ket’ where almost everyone grows food and the healthiest boulanger, ochro, peppers and bora comes from this part of the country. Despite the challenges, they are making the most of life by working many jobs to put food on the table and they are welcoming, friendly people, who would leave their farms and take the time to accompany you around the community, even in the muddy conditions. The people of this village told the team that the rain doesn’t miss the village and it would rain almost every day. They suffered many floods, last year as the worse since many crops were de-
stroyed and farms were inundated. There are no real opportunities for youths in this village and many have no choice but to get jobs as labourers on farms to assist in bringing in an income in the home, residents said. Most youths, who seek tertiary education would have to leave the village to attend secondary schools in nearby villages and the transportation costs add up. The people reported that the wholesale buyers, who visit the village to buy their produce would pay them as low and $40 per pound for ochroes and they really don’t benefit a profit at all. This village runs deep
and there is plenty of land yet some people do not have a plot and are renting houses and are farming on the dams in this community. At the rear of the village, many have utilised the reserve dams to plant their produce while, others have large scale rice cultivation, as far as the eye can see. There are three rice mills in Black Bush Polder but getting there is a tall task given the condition of the main access road which is often traversed by large trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. The residents have expressed hope that in the near future they will be able to see some improvement to the road.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Life in Yakusari Village By Michel Outridge VERONICA Purai, is a mother of five and she holds a daytime job, thrice-weekly where she would do domestic chores and peel green mangoes to make achar among other general duties at a residence. She is a resident of Yakusari Village and resides in the last street in the community. Purai, like many women in the community, is always doing something to assist in earning for the home since they have more than one child. The 37-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has a very simple way of life and in order for them to have enough to eat, collectively she and her husband, who is a labourer have to work. Purai explained that there are no real jobs in the village except farming and most men in the community do their part to earn. Her eldest of five children is eight years old and she had the youngest with her that day at work where she was seated at the bottom house of the place she works with a salt-bag of green mangoes which she was peeling. She added that the peeled mangoes will be prepared to
Seema Iana
make achar and it would be sold at the market, along with greens the family, she works for has on their farm. “I don’t get any water from the pipes in my house and yet my supply was disconnected and I’m forced to find $50,000 to re-connect my potable water supply and I think that is really unfair,” she said.
Purai added that life is hard in Yakusari Village but she can’t give up since she has children depending on her to provide for them and would work with people when they harvest crops. The village elder The Pepperpot Magazine also met an elder in the village, Bhagwan Purai, 69,
Veronica Purai peeling green mangoes to make achar
who is a farmer and would tend to crops alongside his sons. The pensioner disclosed that he plants ochro, boulanger, squash, sweet pepper,
hot peppers, and bora where he has two and a half acres of farmland within the village. Purai is originally from Bloomfield, also on the Corentyne but relocated to
Some of Bhagwan Purai’s sheep
Seema Iana picking bora on her farm (Carl Croker photos)
Focus on the Village
Home of Bhagwan Purai
Yakusari in 1963 when he was allocated a plot of land in the village. His house is the first in SEE PAGE XVI
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
The resilient farmers of Yakusari Village
By Michel Outridge MOHAMED Abdul is a cash crop farmer and works as a security guard at nights to bring in an extra income in the home. He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he picked by hand 54 pounds of ochro from his farm and received only $800. The 57 year-old added that when it rains heavily, which is often, his farm would be flooded and his crops destroyed and that is the main reason he had to get another job. He disclosed that the private security company he works for did not pay them for three months, and presently he is relying on the crops in season to earn “a dollar” for the home. “The wholesale people would come and pay you a mere $40 per pound for ochro and you cannot make a profit from that, so how we living,”? he said. Abdul also stated that the tap in their home is just dripping and they do not get water during the morning period and the pressure is very low, yet they have to pay their water bill. Large-scale farming Meanwhile, the team also met Dharm Seegobin, a large- scale farmer of cash crops, whose farm is partly flooded. He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been farming since 1980 and it is not a ‘fast cash’ kind of job and has five acres of farm-
Dharm Seegobin
Mohamed Abdul (Carl Croker photos)
land, two of which are his tomatoes cultivation and the rest he has a combination of cabbage, peppers, boulangers and ochroes. The 56-year-old pointed out that with the increase in prices for food items such as milk and cooking oil among others, are worrying and they would have to exit the village and travel for miles to buy groceries. The father of five added
that it would add up to about $2,500 weekly to send his children to school outside the village, since they do not have a secondary school. “We need good roads, look at this place condition, we living like hogs here with all this mud and landline phones, with street lights because it is dark here at nights and reliable water supply and better bridges,” he said. Seegobin reported that
they would get water until after lunch daily and that is not satisfactory. Throwing paddy for a living The Pepperpot Magazine also met Sudesh Benimidha, a 29 year-old, who throws paddy for a living.
He works with a rice farmer and is the father of four. The young man reported that he and two others would wake up at 01:00hrs and begin their work in the rice field and it is a four-day task of throwing paddy. He added that after three
Focus
The people of Yakusari Village
on the Village
months they would cut the rice, but the throwing of paddy is a tedious task that requires some form of knowledge and he has been doing that for years. Benimidha stated that for the four-day work he would earn $3,500 and would work with other rice farmers doing the same kind of work when it is available.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Giving back to the community is the way of life for respected village resident
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Volunteerism and other stories of Yakusari Village By Michel Outridge MOHAMED Wazid Rafeek is a resident of Yakusari Village, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. He describes community work as giving back to society through volunteerism and feeding programmes. He is the Treasurer at the Yakusari Masjid and is one of the pioneers of many community projects to assist
orphanages to be distributed. Rafeek explained that they help both Muslims and non-Muslims and they do not discriminate and whenever they have clothing and footwear through the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and other persons from the Muslim community, they would hand out to the people, who need it the most. He reported that during
pot Magazine met Huno Jailall, a cash crop farmer, who reported that he is a resident of the last street in Yakusari Village and due to the muddy condition of the village, his six children have been unable to attend school. He added that the condition of the place coupled with the cost attached, he is unable to send all the children to school and his only source of income is to plant and sell his produce, which is insufficient to cover household expenses. The 47-year-old pointed out that if it rains continuously for two to three hours the place would be flooded and his crops would perish. The father of six explained that when his crops are under floodwaters, he has no other alternative but to go work with other people as a labourer to bring in an income to the home.
Carl Croker photos saved in a folder in Graphics as Yakusari. Captions: 07718 – 07438 – 07313, 07390, 07442 –
One of the many internal streets in Yakusari Village.
Village concerns Savitri Jasoda (Carl Croker photos)
the poor and needy through benevolent gestures through the masjid and other Muslim organisations. Rafeek told the Pepperpot Magazine that the way of life of the people of Yakusari Village is very simple and they are grassroots folk who utilise the lands to earn by way of farming. In that village, he reported that the needs of the people are numerous and among them are some genuinely needy people, who need immediate food items. The religious leader stated that the community is large and runs deep into the polder and due to the condition of the main access road, getting around is an issue. He disclosed that in Berbice they have three orphanages located at New Amsterdam, Albion and Port Mourant; and they would host feeding programmes where foods are prepared and placed in food boxes and taken to the
the 2005 flood they ensured that every household benefitted from a food hamper and it is activities like these they participate in to ensure that everyone in the village gets something. Rafeek added that the village masjid has services, but only to a limited number of worshippers. As a result of COVID-19, there are no large gatherings for prayers and they have all safety protocols in place such as hand-washing, wearing of face masks and social distancing. He disclosed that to celebrate Ramadan they will be preparing food to distribute to relatives, members of the Muslim community and the village. No gathering at the masjid will be held and just a few members will be preparing the food and other goodies. Mud woes and farming Meanwhile, the Pepper-
The team also met 60-year-old Savitri Jasoda, who is also a farmer and is utilising the lands behind her house to plant cash crops. But in her street, there are some large trees which have overshadowed the place and she would like those trees to be cut. As a senior citizen, Jasoda told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is unable to get around the village much and whenever she has to get needed supplies, she would venture out bare-footed because she is afraid she may fall. On another note, some villagers, who are working with the Water Users Association, reported that they haven’t been paid since 2017 for the maintenance of canals, drains and trenches in the community. More than 40 contractors are affected and they would charge $300 per rod to clean the drainage system in the village. The new project started this year, February.
Focus on the Village
Some of the houses in the village.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
The NDC on development in Yakusari Village
By Michel Outridge OVERSEER Vishnu Dyasindoo’s Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) disclosed that for the 2021 works programme for the village they constructed some wooden connecting bridges in Yakusari. Those bridges replaced deplorable ones and some internal streets have been earmarked for crush-and-run composition to be executed. He explained that in
Yakusari Village they have two types of canals, the water coast and the sideline and during a meeting recently it was agreed by all parties that instead of building bridges over canals they will use tubings. Dyasindoo stated that this year’s subvention of $5 million will be used to upgrade the drainage and irrigation system within the community and presently internal drains are being cleaned and cleared of
Excavation works being done in the village (Carl Croker photos)
Focus on the Village
weeds. He disclosed that there are 32 internal streets within the village and some will be upgraded to crush and run and bitumen. The overseer reported
excavator is presently cleaning the back drains in the village and similar works will be done throughout the entire Black Bush Polder. Concerning the water woes at Yakusari Village,
Midwife, Alithia Ramgolan
that the main access road will be upgraded through the Ministry of Public Works and the internal streets will be done via the regional administration. He revealed that four wooden bridges were constructed this year in the community and excavation works are currently being done to the front drains in the village. Dyasindoo told the Pepperpot Magazine that the
Dyasindoo explained that the Yakusari Well has been out of order for months and the Guyana Water Inc. is trying to effect repairs, but if it is not possible a new well will be in place, since potable water is being rationed from the Johanna Well between Johanna and Yakusari. The Yakusari Health Centre SEE PAGE XI
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
The NDC on...
Yakusari Health Centre (Carl Croker photos)
FROM PAGE X Alithia Ramgolan is a midwife and she is in charge of the Yakusari Health Centre, which is located in the heart of the village, just by the village market. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that the facility doesn’t dispense drugs, except for children’s cold syrup and they do not have an in-house doctor. Ramgolan stated that they provide ante-natal, pre-natal, family planning, dressings and being a rural health facility, a lot of young mothers are left with multiple pregnancies rapidly; as such, they have partnered with the New Amsterdam Hospital to have the five-year implant birth control done at the Yakusari Health Centre. She reported that every third Thursday a visiting doctor would arrive to host the chronic disease clinic, see geriatric patients and do basic dressings. Ramgolan has been at the health centre for one year and 10 months and she would get around via her motorcycle, which is risky at times due to the muddy conditions of the village. She added that they do not see any patients but refer them to the Mibicuri Hospital which is a village away; but it is difficult to get there because of the condition of the road and one would have to hire a vehicle to get there since there aren’t taxis plying that route. Ramgolan pointed out that she does not perform
any first-time deliveries nor deliver high-risk patients; she does referrals to the New Amsterdam Hospital. “I used to be a community health worker for two years and fell in love with the job, so I decided to upgrade and enrolled in the nursing school and after two years, I became a qualified midwife,” she said. The Yakusari Health C e n t re i s s t a f f e d a n d managed by Ramgolan, one clinic attendant and a community health worker. The facility has a child-friendly corner, an ante-natal room which has an air conditioning unit and a fridge, which is used to store drugs, an exam room/ dressing room, a vaccine room and the upstairs has three rooms which have a kitchen area and the doctor’s office. It is a two-flat building which is well-kept as well, as neat and clean. The upper flat is also used by the visiting doctor for outreach purposes and when they had their first COVID-19 vaccination drive at the facility, about 40 persons received their first dose because most people had consumed alcohol at a wedding in the village and could not take it. The Yakusari Health Centre is open from Mond a y s t o F r i d a y s f ro m 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs and would often do referrals and simple dressings.
One of the four new wooden bridges in the community
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THE URCHIN BOY A COLD night in November. Jamal wrapped his arms around his small body for warmth as he stared out his tarp shelter at the dimly lit street. The lone street light reflected in the huge puddles and the drunk in the corner was singing a medley of songs. “My life,” he thought, deep sadness in his eyes, “So wretched.” From a two-year-old child, since his young mother had left him he had been bounced from one family home to the next. But the love and care his young heart craved for he could not find in those homes. “Why does no one love me?” he often asked of God, “Why can’t I live in one home with love and kind words?” He became sad and lonely and at eight when he was sent again to another family, an uncle who was often drunk, he felt he had had enough and he ran away. No one came looking for him and the street became his home. He spoke to God often and as his eyes closed in sleep, he prayed, “Please God, no one wants me. Can you send someone who can show me love and care and give me a warm home?” He had survived each day for the past two years, doing menial jobs for little money or a meal, and often he would stop by the store windows looking longingly at the nice clothes and boots, bikes and toys. One of the things he discovered he loved was reading, since an old lady, he had done some gardening for had given him some books. So nights in the spring and summer he would sit under the street lamp reading.
One mid-week day when the city streets were not that busy, he stopped by an electronics store, looking in awe at the latest remote car, the sales clerk was trying out for a customer. The store lady saw him and looking at him sternly she said harshly, “Move from here!” “I like the car,” Jamal said, a light in his eyes. The lady smiled and asked, a mocking tone in her voice, “Do you want to buy it?” He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes and walked away. Block after block he walked until his legs were tired and he slumped down in a corner of the pavement, his head bent down in his folded arms. After a long while, he got slowly to his feet and looked around. He was in an exclusive business community he had never been in before. The people going about their business were definitely rich given the luxury
vehicles they were driving. “Definitely not my end of the city,” Jamal said and as he turned to walk back, he saw a gleaming white Tundra pull up at the ‘Classic Style’ boutique close by and a stunningly beautiful woman stepped out. For the poor little boy, she was like a dream and he walked slowly to the store she had gone in. The security guard looked at him with scorn and said, “You can’t bother anyone here.” Jamal stepped back a short way, waiting until she came out and he ran up to her, “Ma’am,” She turned and looked at the little urchin boy and smiled. SEE PAGE XXIII
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Life in Yakusari ... FROM PAGE VII
Bhagwan Purai displaying his produce
the village for several miles and he is advocating for a reduced rate of potable water and electricity for pensioners like himself. He does all the cultivation while his wife sells the produce at Corriverton Market and she has been a greens vendor for the past 40 years. Purai is a humble, simple man, who is accustomed to work as a farmer and is no stranger to aches and pains. He is however, looking forward to celebrate his 70th birth anniversary. The elder has three children and 16 grandchildren and in his more youthful days
The peeled mangoes
he worked with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority for 11 years. Apart from tending to the farm, he also rears sheep. The bora and pepper farmer Seema Iana is a farmer and is planting her crops of bora and peppers along a dam in front of her house where there is an irrigation canal that runs through the village. The single parent of five told the Pepperpot Maga-
zine that farming is the main source of income for her and when it rains heavily her crops are damaged and she would incur a loss. Iana would pick the bora and peppers to sell to a wholesale buyer, who would visit the village and she was about to pick the ripened bora when the team met her. “I took on the role of both parents in the home when I lost my husband to a road accident in 2008 and it’s been difficult to bring up the chil-
dren alone,” she said. The 40-year-old added that she would like to have better streets in the village and a reliable supply of potable water. She was decked in her long boots to access her farm and reported that she is trying to cope with getting around since the village is deemed a ‘dry weather’ place but experiences a lot of rain.
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ONETCHING THE AWARENESS OF THE AESTHETIC AND EPISODES IN THE THE ‘BEING’ OF OUR YOUNG NATION Part II
HISTORICAL MEMORY
“England is fearfully cruel to the poor, despite the work of all her philanthropists. In British Guiana we have our problems. The gruelling poverty of many:
was offered a warm bed and blankets against bleak rags and sordid surroundings. Hunger is as heaven compared with the hell of cold-and when both are
IN concluding this discussion, which is intended to raise questions within the reader and inspire responsible actions among those that acquire decision making positions or are already there, we cannot arrive at a sensible without considerations in retrospect. So in a brief flashback, we must recognise, what we have lost to our physical memory reference archive, and use this as inspiration, to be able to raise a natural alarm, a connection to the aesthetic sensitivity alerting us to the fact that we need to have a historical memory in respect to our surroundings, as buildings, landscapes and architecture are inherent of memories in both the conscious and subconscious awareness. We have to become other than people who occupy a geographic space on this planet, and relate to what is the necessary thinking that will enable us to address from the now onward what is significant to telling our stories, especially stories important to our timelines. When we became independent, the euphoria of self-governed nationhood intoxicated us, it had its grounds for intoxication alongside sober examination. We did not make the observation that all around us within the borders of countries we still held controlled admiration for, had retained the edifices of past times. Our own coloniser England never dismantled Hadrian’s Wall. In more ways than one, from previous colonisers and also from despised local leaders, they kept the memory for reflection, in our Caribbean, Christophe’s spectacular fortress of defence in Haiti will remain, regardless of his history. Europe with the obvious white supremacy that 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 the either, cruel plight of the combined help the them and also hid midtheir identities withGod new portraits dleinclasses, and movies.who must pay a victim.” -‘Caribbean Virent forced uponinthem by was sionary-A.R.F Webber and Where we erred Guyana not to use the structures the wickedness of awith certain the making of theservices Guyathat became available the decline of trademark type politician, only dedicated nese Nation’ by part Selwyn R. like the of Trains, to buildnot museums to that of our historical the physical imagery of the to servememory. privateWhy endspreserve and Cudjoe. past? ourthose ancestors lived it, for historian, the crenotSimple, that of whose Thethe quest of the coloniser ative mind, thebeg investigative journalist, the physical location votes they at Election as indicated by Webber above is important. development museums a continuous time; but, The let me say it, the of has neverwas been driven by peeve of of thethe latepoor Dr. in Dennis who had identified plight largeWilliams, any humane cause, except Five Museums to be built, he insisted that a marine museum towns in England is suffibut the survival of itself, and would have been a must. I can now imagine a display of the cientkitchen to make the heavens firstitstocook, be colonised are ship’s on Lady Northcourtthe with the portrait belch forth! The match the peasants of its own tribe, of indifference ‘John’, ‘keep away from John’s kitchen, and sellers at midnight, in the the fixed why?’ A caption should read beforeunder this rude faceddistinctions ship’s cookof bitterest coldmáché imaginable, classes lay and beneath castes. Emerging made of papier –“whose kitchen a toilet, from dripped continuously, or so wecolonisation were made andwhich thosewater without matches from Roman
to sell!! Across all this, See the Page the XIXAnglo Saxon of Britveil is drawn in this mighty ain with a new perspective, land of pleasure...I have strove to defiant, but not often wondered, after expe- cohesive Island nationhood, riencing the bitter coldness into the Christian Crusades, of a late spring, which was then to become themselves almost wintery in its tem- colonisers in defiance of the perature, how any woman Pope and the Latin assault can remain virtuous who on Mesoamerica, the English
were in the forefront of the Slave trade, and as Buccaneers, but by the mid-1700s the British were set on the threshold of the Industrial revolution. Thus the end
of the Slave trade (1808) and less than thirty years later the abolition of slavery 1834-38, recognising that in its colonies, and all colonies had evolved a ‘Creole Culture’ that was ingrained independently and evolved in the vibrant aesthetics of some twenty generations of redefinition from exact previous origins, that were not abandoned, but weaved into the new tapestry, and defended within the new whole, through creative cultural creeds and religious expressions. The Sugar plantations of the colony post Emancipation found themselves facing fluctuating prices and worse by 1846 the Sugar Duties Act was passed in England SEE PAGE XIX
- the era of contracted labour
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It’s a privilege to access quality education in Guyana
I’M aware of the privileges I have. It’s a result of where I live, my support system (my family) and most importantly, my ability to have freedom of choice. I say this not to boast. Rather, I’d like you all to be aware of the advantageous factors that helped you to excel in education. It’s important to do that before engaging in a conversation that surrounds quality education in Guyana. If we’re not aware of the YOU, there’s no way we can be aware of THEM and lend help when needed. I was privileged enough to have my mother stay home, away from work until I was six years old to home-school me. I passed to attend St. Rose’s High but due to distance and finances, I attended NAMS. My parents were still privileged, to some extent, to send me to a school that’s half an hour away from where we live. I was privileged to have extra lessons paid for. I was privileged to have a computer with internet access at home. I was privileged enough to have my very own reading corner of books at home. I was privileged to have parents who both completed high school to help me with at-home assignments. PRIVILEGE is not only defined by money. It’s your resource base, your abilities, your circumstances, your environment, your mindset, your skills, and the good ole “who knows
you and who you know.” You see, I’m really getting tired of hearing the “BUT, I worked for the As” line. Y’all need to stop it. I’m not trying to degrade those with quality education. I’m one of those people. What I’m merely trying to say is, every child has his/her advantages and disadvantages to what accounts for their lack of or their abundance of. The moment we realise this as a collective culture, it’s the moment we will realiSe what’s lacking and who it’s lacking for. Education is a right. Every child has a right to access education. When that is taken away, you’re infringing on their rights as a human being; as a Guyanese. I’ve checked my privileges and I’m ready to have a meaningful conversation on how we can be more inclusive in our education system. Have you?
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ETCHING EPISODES IN THE ... that terminated preferential treatment for Colony Sugar. The Manumitted Africans had purchased over 100 previous plantations, which were transferred into villages and were demanding rights when engaging in work on the Sugar plantations as in 1842 and 1848. Thus, from 1838 the pursuit of contract labourers or Indentured labour was enacted. These labourers were contracted from Africa, India, Portugal, and China mainly; Caribbean nationals migrated to Guiana but hardly worked on the Sugar Plantations. The East Indian proved to be the most manageable group of labourers, 85 percent on the request of the planters
came from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the latter is still one of the less empowered districts of India. The indentured labourer did not come to remain in the colony of British Guiana and the British saw to it that they were kept away from the Creole villages and the Towns because of the fear of cultural interactions that could lead to ‘rights issue contaminations’ the other reason was that Indian women recognised that they could pursue freedoms that were restricted in India, upsetting the patriarchal setting, upon engaging with the liberties of the matriarchal creole women. The chronicles of two indentured
Indian women; Kama Cherry and Mary Ilandun present significant case studies. See Brian L. Moore-Cultural power, resistance and pluralism: The Portuguese labours died in the cane field and were encouraged to turn to commerce, to undermine the retail trade dominated by the creoles in the Towns, being Georgetown and New Amsterdam, post-emancipation was rift by the success of the Afro manumitted community outside of the plantation, in the presence of the Plantocracy controlled local colony administration, who saw this former enslaved group as a direct challenge to the stereotypical order
of that day, this led to riots and conflict between the Afro-creole and the indentured Portuguese, this healed with time, as the Portuguese soon came to terms as their Iberian European origins (of Moorish-African blood) were not sufficient to be included as European family by the Nordic posture of the English. With the Chinese as with other indentured not hindered by race-mixing, coming with not enough women, looked to the creole women for spouses, this generated the usual hostilities, but in most cases did not escalate. But the most remembered were the Chinese raiding gangs; during the 1850s-60s
Chinese immigrants would organize themselves into criminal gangs, with cutlasses fixed to long sticks like a popular Asian spear type; both on the plantations they were located on’ and into the neighbouring Creole villages raiding stockyards and provision grounds, “ these marauding groups of sometimes twenty to fifty strong terrorized plantation watchmen and villagers by the viciousness of their attacks in which several were killed. This forced the plantations to arm their watchmen” it is suspected that they launched these attacks to supplement their meagre rations. See ‘Brian L. Moore Cultural Power...
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Even a brief narrative of the indentured era cannot be complete without reference to acts by authorities and the dire consequences. In closing, by the 1880s plantations were resisting suggestions towards Science and technology. “Planter discussions within the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society and the public press indicate that capital was virtually the sole constraint on the use of science and technology to reduce factory costs in British Guiana in the 1880s and 90s.” See-Walter Rodney ‘A History of the Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905.
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OUR BIODIVERSITY AND COVID-19
ON May 22, International Biodiversity Day will be celebrated. This year, 2021 observance will be celebrated under the theme, “We’re part of the solution”- a continuation from last year’s (2020) theme of “Our solutions are in nature”. Both themes remind us that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. What is biodiversity? According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even micro-organisms such as bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these
species and organisms works together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. Biodiversity and COVID-19 As the 2021 theme opined, we are an integral part of the solution, so our interaction with the environment can result in either negative or positive impacts. Additionally, with the upsurge of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases which is now a pandemic, a correlation can be
drawn between the status of our biodiversity and the prevalence of strains of viruses. Research has shown that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses - diseases transmitted from animals to humans- while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics such as those caused by coronaviruses. The global projection is that about one billion cases of illness and millions of SEE PAGE XXI
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OUR BIODIVERSITY... FROM PAGE XX deaths will occur yearly from diseases caused by coronaviruses; and about 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, meaning that they are transmitted to people by animals. Could it be that nature is sending us a message? Because of human actions, which include deforestation, encroachment on wildlife habitats, intensified agriculture, and acceleration of climate change, the delicate balance of nature is upset. In doing so, we have changed the system that would naturally protect us, and have created conditions that allow particular pathogens–including coronaviruses–to spread. While the trends posited above are of global concern and Guyana is not spared the pandemic,
we have much to be thankful for in Guyana since our rich biodiversity and ecosystems are still among the best in the world. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the National Focal Point (NFP) for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and its related protocols, i.e. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing. The National Biodiversity Strategic and Action Plan (2012-2020), is an important document that allows stakeholders to identify how they may contribute and support Guyana in meeting its national biodiversity vision, while simultaneously meeting its obligations to the UNCBD. As the 2021 horizon is upon us, the process for the
post-2020 biodiversity framework has commenced with global consultations. This provides Guyana with a timely opportunity to propose novel ideas in supporting global sustainability efforts. The EPA and by extension, Guyana, remains committed to helping Guyana meet the obligations of the UNCBD. 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.
EPA 1-3
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Has the removal of mangroves become necessary for development? XXVII Aye or no for parliamentary decorum?
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021 AT Malgre Tout/ Versailles mitigate erosion and floodon the West Bank of De- ing. They are also used as a merara, large swathes of habitat for birds and a nursmangroves were removed, ery for fish. Cognisant of this reportedly to facilitate the alone, it can be argued that construction of a shore removal of the mangroves base. The removal of the has a significant impact on vegetation has been called flood-mitigation efforts and necessary for the develop- generally, on the ecosystem ment of infrastructure that that supports lives and liveDURING thisjobs pastto week’s of ‘In the National would bring Guya- edition lihoods. Assembly,’ Parliamentarians debated theagree 2021 with, National nese and spur economic deI do not nor Budget, which was presented earlier in the month velopment. This occurrence support destruction by of Sethe nior Minister in the Office PresidentI with should make us think aboutof the mangroves. am ofresponsithe view bility for finance, Dr.trajecAshni Singh. The debate, however, the developmental that environmental conservaspotlighted a lack of decorum in the Parliament. tory Guyana is currently tion should be the top priority It is both understandable andofacceptable for thegiven different pursuing. all countries, the sidesMangroves of the houseare -- the government andcrisis opposition sideswe -natural climate with which tosea have opposingthey views on to the budget. After all, theconfrontnational defences; help are, unfortunately, budget illustrates the government’s vision, priority areas, and general policy direction, since it points towards what policies, programmes and plans the government intends to use Guyana’s money to fund. It would be strange for each member to agree on every single thing, since various individuals have different priorities and views and perhaps different sides of the house have different plans, projects, or policies that would guide Guyana’s developments; and, that is completely fine. It is neither understandable nor remotely acceptable, however, for elected officials, sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs), to openly hurl insults at each other and make racist, sexist, homophobic remarks. It is not acceptable for this level of disrespect to be entertained in the National Assembly. The normalisation of racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks in our common, social spaces might be a conversation for another day, but for crying out loud, this is our National Assembly! Or, our Parliament, as it is more commonly called. It is not touting at the bus park! Imagine the astonishment one would experience, years from now, if they were to revisit the hansards. Instead of only well-articulated, thorough analyses of the $383.1 billion budget that was presented for the year 2021, there would be remarks signalling homophobia or thinly veiled insults of an MP’s reproductive capabilities. To be fair, however, there were a few salient presentations. On the first day of the debate, it is a point of pride 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 else, is this how you adequately represent the people of the nation you committed to serve? Parliamentary affairs -- every single aspect-- should be geared towards enhancing the development of the nation and its citizenry. Admittedly, clever innuendos and witty remarks have long been part of parliamentary presentations, not only in Guyana, but around the world. The addition of clever satire has its usefulness in communication, no doubt. Much of what we saw last week, however, appeared to be a common bottom house or rumshop debacle, replete with “props” and all, that left much to be desired. Last December, Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, told the Guyana Chronicle that the
ed. Still, of despite my aversion so swathes of land were cleared training Parliamentarians that a semblance of decorum to destruction of the natural to create a networkItofisroadcould be maintained in the National Assembly. envisea defence, the training reality reways to enhance accessibility sioned that such sessions would also help to guide mains that there be some to the procedures. hinterland region, for the officials on will proper parliamentary amount of degradation in our example. environmental But also, these events should force usOur to reconsider what current pursuit economic concerns we expect and of accept from our elected would officialscertainly -- all of progress. remain but again, towards the reality them-while they discharge their responsibilities us. What is occurring now is that there will be some Are they articulating our collective values when they make would be the same if large amount of degradation. racist, sexist, homophobic, and other derogatory statements? As we navigate our development as a burgeoning oil-producing nation, there are instances where there will be environmental destruction, but it is up to us, the heirs of our country’s natural patrimony, to ensure that where there is destruction and degradation, there are also efforts made to ensure the conservation, restoration and generally, more sustain-
able however, given the Aredevelopment. they adequately representing us andbeour best to interests the short term, as wide-reaching consequencat In all times? a mitigation measure for es such mitigation efforts destruction I hope weofcanthe do large better. may have. As reported by swathes of mangrove at the the Stabroek News, local Versailles-Malgre conservationist, Annette If you wouldTout like loto discuss this column or anyArof cation, I would like to see joon-Martins noted thatme even my previous writings, please feel free to contact via mangroves replantedif not if a concretised structure is email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com at the same site, due to the built to protect residents from forthcoming construction, at the rising sea levels, that least in other spaces where it man-made structure would would be more feasible. At not be able to absorb carbon the very least, the developer dioxide from the atmosphere should support these replant- as the mangroves would. ing efforts. Beyond just ensuring that Furthermore, the devel- there are mitigation efforts oper must ensure that there and attempts at engaging in are other mitigation mea- some environmental restosures in place to protect the ration, it is also imperative surrounding communities from rising sea levels and SEE PAGE XXIV flooding. Consideration must,
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THE URCHIN ... FROM PAGE XV No one had ever smiled at him in such a sweet way and it touched his heart. “Are you hungry?” she asked. He nodded but before he could say anything, the security guard stepped in, “I’m sorry ma’am, that he’s bothering you.” “No, he’s not,” she said in a kind tone, “He’s just a poor child.” She gave him money that could buy food for a week and he told the homeless in his corner, “I saw an angel today.” “Yeah, we all do sometimes,” they said in unbelieving slurring tones. From then he went by the store often, not for the money, but to see her and hear the mellow tone in her voice. She was the owner of the boutique, always nice and kind to him. Her husband though, tall with a heavy voice, always looked at him crossly and Jamal likened him to the bad guys in the movies. The street was still his home but in December the rains came with heavy flooding of several parts of the city’s streets, so he found an abandoned house in a lonely neighbourhood
and crept in to spend the night. It was late when low, deep voices woke him up. The voices were getting closer and Jamal huddled in the darkest corner of the dimly lit room as the door was pushed open. He saw four armed, masked men leading a hooded figure - a woman, whom they pushed down in a chair. She screamed but the sounds were muffled and she squirmed, but heavy hands held her firmly. Then one of them pulled the hood off her head and Jamal almost screamed in shock. It was the beautiful lady from the boutique! A gun was placed to her head and a heavy voice said, “Your husband caused me to lose millions on a bad deal, so now he will pay more to get you back.” “And s-suppose he doesn’t ha-have the money?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Then you die,” the man said in a deadly, cold voice. The call was made to her husband and he was given two hours to deliver the ransom. The men left the room, closing the door. She was in shock and Jamal could see she was crying. He crept out of the dark corner quietly and on seeing him, she gasped. He put his finger to his lips and began untying her hands. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a low tone. “A shelter for the night from the rain.” “I have to get away from here,” she said, fear in her voice. “The only way out is through the window,” he told her. The abductors were still in the house, talking in low voices, so it was now or never through the window for the woman. She landed heavily in the thick scrubs of the garden, a sound Jamal hoped the men hadn’t heard. He made the jump easier and they moved quietly and cautiously to the gate, hidden by the overgrown plants in the yard. One of the men was leaning casually on the veranda taking a smoke. They waited, holding their breath for him to go back inside when there was a sudden shout from in the house. The moment the man turned Jamal whispered to the woman with urgency, “Go now, go!” She had just made it out when the abductors ran out of the house, realising she was gone. She couldn’t have gone far, so Jamal knew he had to make a distraction. He crept back to the back of the yard, pulling against the thick shrub to make noise. He heard shouts coming in his direction when two shots rang out and he felt a burning pain, knowing he was hit by a bullet. He fell down, gasping and they found him, swearing angrily, “It’s just a homeless kid, the lady escaped, we gotta find her.” The sound of their angry voices drifted farther and farther
away as darkness overcame Jamal. He opened his eyes slowly and saw bright lights shining around him. “Did I die and go to Heaven?” he asked weakly. Then coming, like an angel into his view was the beautiful woman who had been so kind to him. She smiled warmly and touched his hand, “You did not die, you saved my life. You’re a very brave boy.” She had managed to escape when a helpful driver had stopped to assist her and took her to the police station. The
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abductors had escaped by the time the police got to the abandoned house but found Jamal just in time. Days later when the media interviewed Jamal about saving the businesswoman’s life, a question was asked, “So what happens now to the boy given he’s a street urchin. Does he get sent to the orphanage?” “No,” she said, smiling warmly at Jamal, “He’ll live in my home as part of my family.” Tears welled in the young boy’s eyes, his heart was overjoyed. God had answered his prayers and finally, he would have love, care and a warm home.
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Has the removal of ... FROM PAGE XXII
for us to integrate sustainable development in our conceptualisation of infrastructural development and economic progress. As per the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, sustainable development has been defined as: “... development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The definition is an instructive one if we are to juxtapose it with the current removal of the mangroves at Malgre Tout/ Versailles. This conceptualisation of development encourages us to move away from this rigidly industrial way of thinking that resource depletion is a necessary evil on the pathway of infrastructural development and economic progress and instead, begin to think more innovatively. And, thinking innovatively is not an impossible or even a very difficult feat. We already have the example of the Diamond Hospital, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). This facility has been upgraded with the requisite infrastructure to guard against flooding, reduce reliance on the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) corporation by resorting to renewable solar energy, and enabling the use of rainwater for its day-to-day functions. This is just one example of how environmental conservation efforts can be integrated into infrastructural development. As Guyana’s oil-and-gas industry continues to develop and expand, we will be at the crossroads of environmental degradation versus infrastructural development many more times. It is important, however, that we do not allow the economic progress brought by this industry, or by economic development in general, to degrade our natural environment, not just because we like our environment and think it is pretty, but because the environment sustains life itself. 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
Friendships that are ... FROM PAGE II two countries which are now experiencing so much suffering. Guyana has its own challenges with the coronavirus, but we can still give solace to friends abroad with a telephone call. According to a popular song of not so long ago, “That’s What Friends are for.” For Guyana and neighbouring Brazil, there has been a firm friendship over the decades. That was further strengthened when Brazil constructed a border bridge over the Takutu river, making it so much easier for traffic crossing that river at Lethem and Bon Fim, back and forth. My first article about the COVID-19 pandemic was published here in the Pepperpot Magazine on May 3, 2020. In that article a year ago, I reported on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. That was so as a reflection of the observance of Indian Arrival Day, which is a public holiday here in Guyana. In a portion of that article, I reported on the then situation of the coronavirus in India, a country with a population of one billion, 380 million. A year ago, India had 29,500 citizens affected with the virus, and 940 dead. A year later, May 3, 2021, those figures have exploded. There are now 17,868,000 affected Indians and a total of over 212,000 dead, and counting. This new extremely high effect of the COVID-19 in India has the rest of the world worried and expressing willingness to send as much assistance as is necessary at this time. This is a period in world history when countries of varying political and ideological persuasions, are, to a greater degree, closing ranks to battle this silent enemy which, at the time of writing this article, has 151.6 million coronavirus cases and three million 186,000 deaths and counting. For those of faith, be you Christian, Hindu or Muslim - the three official religions of Guyana - this is a period of time to offer prayers for the people of Brazil and India two of Guyana’s Golden Friends.
haring their journeys CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
amazing women from the Women ogies. atch Radio NY requested an interim if it was okay for me to invite I am sharing some excerpts from
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llips -- born in St Lucia, living in
being a Midwife of Purpose came broken, displaced, and s journey, I experienced a divorce, ot displaced on administrator’s position. Coupled wo major eclipses One week later I completed An eclipse happens when you can my assignment with CTO becomes greater than your current and was now ready to move this process, you can transcend to a on to my next career move. where you can connect with your I called Monique to let her as one with nature. “Then mother childI was said,available ‘As theasLord we lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So he arose and followed orn in Guyana andthe living in NY of theknow agreed and she was so haphave the real experience of dreamLAST week this time we Patience is one the my things py to have meofstart first mother. Motherhood taught am world alive. I was immediately were celebrating Mother’s I struggled with and it was me imperfections are most temporary assignment with w with the agency where they tested Day in various ways. Ispeed. had refreshing learn Deutsche to Bank. Mythat first times the best teachers.” Dr. Microsoft Office and typing lunch with my mom and motherhood taught a lot of Hilda Bourne, Entrepreneur, aunt Corin who has been a mothers patience including Mississippi mother figure to many. My my younger daughter Shon“Motherhood has taught grandson Jaidyn created ta and my friend Dr Raquel me how to be kinder and a personalised card with Thomas Caesar. My sister more nurturing to myself. beautiful words from the Nicola Ward said she learnt I believe the best gift I can heart. Mariska bought me a to listen more and tries give my children is how to gift and I spent one hour on not to be frustrated by the be authentically humane and video chat with my younger things she have no control I can only do that by fostering daughter and seeing my over. I decided to ask a few emotional intelligence, which adorable granddaughter women from various back- starts with me. As atwo mother, I knew that I would be in When I was six years assignment lasted weeks, Peyton in the frame was grounds and geographic I’ve learnt how strong and reold I started school in Mesa, big trouble if I told my dad covering someone’s vacation. my biggest gift. We all have location to share their ex- silient am.” Saraethic Khalil Due I to myBibi work and Arizona, so I began staying what had happened. It was a experienced mountains and periences with us. , Social NY. secret: the desireWorker, to go the extra mile, with my mom valley moments along this “Motherhood taught me a mom of four beaukind that could get me and her husband routineI “As landed another assignment journey called motherhood. strength, how to be brave, to tiful the most valuablefor ly. It was like going from into big trouble. I didn’t in kids, the same department My mom, Claudia Noel love unconditionally, to put lesson motherhood taughtfor heaven to hell. It was a horror know how much trouble, but six months, thenhas another John (in the photo with me) another human being before methree is tomonths, not dream for my story that’s yet to be writ- I wasn’t willing to which finally braided my natural hair re- myself, strengthen my faith kids. Let them dream and be take a chance. “Shhhh... ten. While at grandma’s I led to my permanent posicently and it brought back and do many other things”- who they aspire tome be.to live a was filled with the love of Don’t tell anyone.” tion, allowing so many childhood memo- Jean Seebaran , HR Manager, As parents, I think we Maybe it’s the trauma of a grandma and Jesus daily. dream. ries. I asked her the most Guyana. often Dr. haveSafeeya ideas ofMohamed thinking – On the other hand, at my my experience, but for some valuable listen she learnt as “The most valuable les- that our kids should be docmother’s house, I was filled reason I still cannot rememTrinidad a mom and she said “Moth- son is that every child is tors orWe lawyers to be received theconsidupdates with Rock ‘N Roll, drugs ber how erhood taught responsibili- different. So they learn in ered often it happened, when thatsuccessful. the accident was horrific and inappropriate, wild sex ty. When I was left with five different ways. They love I feel let our and that we the should victim was stuck parties. Ultimately, from it started, or even when it kids without the support differently, go through puber- kids choose such an environment you can ended in the car. their path and of a father I knew I had to ty differently. They truly are we should guide and The vehicle hadsupport to be cut imagine the kinds of abuse shoulder the responsibility their own person, even if they them they It that mom’s house provided. Penny Phakahi –South opentotobe getwhatever to the victim. and make sacrifices because look like you!! And you will desire to be.” Shameeza Ally, never occurred to me that When I was 11 years old, Africa I owe that to my kids.” make mistakes as a mother/ Financial Adviser, NY I have had my share of grandma Shirley died and my my brother When I acquired the single parent... but saying sorry “could Kindness and beingin- stepdad left. My mom had turmoil and I strongly believe be remotely never take for granted. Moth- and sometimes preoccupied parent status the strength allows real respect to grow. slow to react thattrying it is these stints of turan emotional breakdown, volved. Theupon nexthearing thing I erhood has taught me that ifso with to create a better my mom exhibited helped And I am not my child’s anything bad that has been moil that brought me I ran the away! I couldn’t take remember, I was looking at I want best for and from life for our children. Howevme. She constantly put our Friend. I am their confidant committed bymy your child.” in my life. Iyou was any more. the body of brother my child, I should then be the er, nothis gift far or opportunity needs ahead of hers. No in ALL their issues, trou- Brenda Akunu in , Lira Cityin, a and perhaps iscan still in my Andrea Edwards – born can covered blood best example to my child.” give a child replace matter how old we get we bles and joys but I am the Uganda. refinery process. Guyana,Mohamed, living in Florida hearse. The strident, agonis- Dr.inSafeeya Trin- the bliss of time spent and always need our mothers. mother. Respect is earned “Our actions canmother teachin As a young girl,It’s I grew As I sat in the back of ing scream of my idad. creating memories. in When my elder daughter as you show them respect.” ourthechildren not just how to up with one main ambition, my dad’s Nissan my Bluebird, I their A&E that As a mother most memories that we live Mariska was about to deliv- Tascha Aveloo , Journalist , make early decisions, but how to getIt’s away, far throughis the morning has to not peered lesson the windows impor- onwanting forever young. in their er her baby in Jamaica she Suriname. react to stress fear,almost or how17 valuable away from the system of at the images on escaped my or mind of time. Savour each heart with quality time spent called me for reassurance “Each day brings about to years handlelater conflict or how to tance the thinking or the boxMy that fence of the Guyas she howled day, savour each moment like that we create our legacy. that everything was going a cycle of lessons taught simply show love. we often find ourselves in. ana Botanicalbecause Gardens and children “my son died, my it’s a delicacy it is. have taught me the to be fine even though her and lessons learned. From Being a mother is a gift, Apart from understanding Zoological Park. The radio son died, nobody’s help- We often become occupied value of time because like husband was at her side. mother to child and child to a privilege one I pray I always dared blasted theresponsibilities popular ing us!” even, But nobody could, with life’s icemyself on a Ihot sunny daytothe be different, which was a calypso song “1985” by as his spirit departed at the a then-popular calypsonian. constant struggle when surpoint of impact. Up to this day, I would have just celebrated rounded by my situations. I grew up under a strict I ponder where the strength my sixth Christian family with my birthday, quite oblivious came from to navigate that to the concept of time, but grandfather and step granny, night. that song would not allow as my mother lost her mom Shanon Paar – Arizona me to forget SEE PAGE XXV that it was 1985.
Invaluable lessons from motherhood her.” – 2 Kings 4:30
hands of time dissolve, never to return, seconds become minutes, and minutes become hours, hours -days and days -years. Leaving behind irreplaceable memories of times well spent.” Andrea Edwards, Entrepreneur, Florida. Let’s continue to be the best examples not only to our children but the children in our communities as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BE-
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Green Agriculture Initiatives- Healthy Soils
THE agricultural sector continues to be an important pillar to food security and suitability in Guyana. In fact, anyone can contribute to its sustenance by making maximum use of all available resources. Growing food doesn’t require one to be a scientist or an agriculturalist, but being equipped with a plot of land and a love for farming; anyone at home can plant a sustainable garden. But it all starts with effective Soil Management. Soil Management: Soils play an important role in food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation and NAREI has been placing enhanced emphasis upon them. A healthy soil is the foundation for profitability, productive and environmentally sound agricultural systems. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mr. Jagnarine Singh, by understanding the soil processes which support plant growth, it is possible to design a crop and soil-management system that improves and maintains soil health overtime and remains essential for the long-term sustainability and commercial viability of agriculture. One of the most important and necessary resources to complement effective soil management is fertilisation, as it provides the nutrients needed by plants to grow properly and yield a quality product. Fertilisation accounts for one-third or more of crop yields, as such, inadequate fertility starves the crops. It is necessary, therefore, to supply plants with precise and balanced amounts of nutrients for their optimal growth. This is an area in which NAREI continues to assist farmers and residents through the extension arm of the institute.
Composting and Vericomposting- An alternative to waste management: Composting of organic waste offers solutions to a large amount of waste worldwide. It is a natural process of recycling decomposed organic materials into rich soil known as compost. Traditional composting of organic waste has been known for years, but new methods have become much more common in organic waste treatment and something that NAREI has been pushing for returns in Alternative Waste Management in Guyana. In Guyana, NAREI has been conducting experiments
with one such composting technique called vermicomposting, a biotechnological process whereby earthworms convert food waste to a nutrient-rich material, stimulate microbial activity, and at the same time, increase the rate of mineralisation of the soil. It is rich in nutrients, poor in readily biodegradable carbon, and relatively free of any plant and human pathogens. Earthworms play a major role in breaking down the waste materials which form vermicompost. The use of compost and vermicompost for planting has been highlighted in agriculture as a beneficial medium for improving plant growth, yield and the maintenance of soil fertility and crop yield. It is one of the best organic media for planting, as it’s highly organic and contains no chemicals, making it environmentally friendly. However, there is a difference: composting contains plant nutrients but is not characterised as a fertiliser, while, vermicomposting on the other hand is seen as ideal, as it leaves behind castings, a valuable type of fertiliser. Advantages of Composting: * The decomposition of organic matter by micro-organisms under controlled conditions * The conversion of organic materials into humus, a rich, nutrient material * Safe for application to soils as it is rich in nutrients for plants, but is not characterised as a fertiliser. * Recycles plant nutrients and supplies a variety of macro and micronutrients * Improves soil structure and porosity * Improves water-holding capacity and contributes to carbon sequestration Note: Healthy soil means there is less need for water, chemicals or pesticides Advantages of Vermicomposting: * Increased porosity and microbial activities in soil and improved water retention and aeration * Decreases the amount of waste at landfills and in so doing, benefits the environment * Less Cost of Production * Allows for the recycling of nutrients back into the soils * It is a key element in sustainable agriculture In Next Week’s edition, NAREI IN FOCUS will highlight some of the successful trials collaborated with local farmers and residents. Happy Farming your plate will thank you later!!!!
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―― Sunday, CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday,February January 28, 10, 2021 2021
THE SEAWALLS FOREVER!
REVISITING THE GUYANA/ BE SAFE AND PROTECTED! VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY SOON TO COME BEFORE THE ICJ BE VACCINATED!
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THE controversy will again shortly normalcy. and discussions where Consumers factual bases invariably become The Guyana Association (GCA) is IN thisGuyana/Venezuela offering, we will revisit the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore calling upon the major national stakeholders the come up before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). blurred. because it is the worst health crisis the country has expepolitical parties; thefrom labour theto In Guyana, most oflie the writings on the of controversy have In thisisoffering, we will depart thismovement; normseashells and try THE Seawalls deep in the consciousness of Guyanese today rather muddy was once covered with and rienced within living memory, because the danger of parliamentary the medical profession and the University sun hadachieve risen. herd immunity and return Guyana to families, beenpeople, of historical and factual nature and this a good answer two questions that have been asking since theupandthe butthe especially Georgetowners. Yet exposing itis has rarelyprivate theresector; would always be many children exploring and picking death toawhich unvaccinated are ignorantly is, why iseconomic the Venezuelan public GCA sowere convinced they Guyana toofjointly reject misrepresentations against thelargesocial andmoonlit normalcy. The will be formally On nights the Seawalls always athat crowded thing, since Guyanese public not encouraged seizure of the two Guyanese fishing boats inthey Guyana’s terribeen noticed by the mediaare and the last time it wasof themselves andthe because thenews unvaccinated are delaying herd seashells different colours; sometimes may find vaccines and appeal to the nation to take advantage of the have a valid claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and writing these national stakeholders on the issue. promenade. Many went to socialise with friends, but all went immunity and the ofinto social and economic normalcy. mentioned asreturn an item of national concern was five or sixtorial conch shells. to move their attention the realms of arguments waters by a Venezuelan navy ship. The first question COVID-19 vaccination programme and protect themselves why their politicians are so bellicose and aggressive about to enjoy the beauty of the moon rising from the sea and the Guyana has so far executed a world-class COVID-19 years ago when the Ocean overtopped the wall and flooded The foreshore or continental shelf gradually rises and falls this claim? And the second question is, why did President programme. If we compare our programme with those of blue-green moonlight which was brighter, since there were the yards parallel to the Public Road. This was the first every 20 years and today, the foreshore land between Camp Venezuela this time seizethe thevarious boats the developed countries as well thosewas of other no road of lights to dilutechoose it. Others wouldtoenjoy time in living memory thatasthere suchdeveloping an occurrence Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to the height of Maduro countries, ourled achievement is outstanding. But we cannot con- con- the wall and coconut trees and other vegetation grow on it. when he would the Guyanese phasesheofknew the New Moon alienate with the background of population purple skies and it to great panic. The authorities hurriedly gratulate ourselves until herd been achieved and and cause embellished the international community to condemn or with thousands of stars which appear structed a barrier ofimmunity standinghas concrete the country returns to social and economic normalcy. disapprove of his action, leaving Venezuela isolated interbrighter since there were no city lights. Others slabs on the Walls to counter such overtopWe will not recount elements have made the nationally on the issue. would go to the Seawalls in the late afternoons to ping. In the last all fewtheweeks, thewhich Seawalls Guyana pandemic prograMme the success it has so far been. The answer to the sunsets first question began during theinto Cold admire gradually transforming the have again featured in the news, but in a One of the major elements is management. The Minister light ofof dusk. War: At theblue beginning the 1960s Britain had decided to happier vein. of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, did not delegate this task but joysthe of colony the Seawalls were the withdraw fromAnother Guyana of andthe grant independence, From control Camp Street to the Demerara River,of able and took personal of it and appointed a team early evening Sunday concerts given by the Militia but it was very likely that the Prime Minister of the newly the wall had become disfigured by an accudedicated young doctors and nurses to help to execute it; and Band and the Police Band at the Bandstand which independent state would be Dr Cheddi Jagan, an avowed mulation of unsightly garbage and no one among these was Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, who assumed direct, attracted of people. Their repertoire conMarxist. U.S. Cold hundreds War interests tried to persuade Britain assumed responsibility of cleaning A on-thegroundthe control and Dr Lall, who is it. involved in the sisted of light classical music such as Strauss’ and to delay Guyana’s independence, but all that Britain could homeless man, Carl Melville, who sometimes vaccination aspect. other waltzes, ballet music such Delibes’ pizzicato slept there was noticed by Dwayneis Hackett promise was that she would hand over power to a non-ComThough vaccination of the population the most important andMinister. Sylvia, atAmerican least one English patriotic such trying to clean the programme, garbage and there immediately measurable facet of the are other ancillary munist Prime Intelligence feltsong that this “This royal throne of Kings” and activities that are imperative andHackett these include and volunteered to help him. placedrecruitment the British offerasneeded further insurance andand so Guyanese they devised Caribbean songs. The concerts arranged training of staff; of suitable incident onprovision social media and hospitalisation immediately facilities; a plan whereby theirfolk client Venezuela wouldwere threaten to for early evening so that children could attend; provision of suitable equipment; provision of adequate supnumbers of persons volunteered their services. plies First of medications; testing; cold storage many Guyanese in later life have admitted that their Lady Arya Ali was oxygen; one of thespecial first to facilities; obtaining supplies of vaccines which required both first exposure to classical music was from these volunteer and the Ministry of Public Works, diplomatic and commercial skills; and meeting the challenges Bandstand concerts. the Director of Solid Waste Department of the of inoculating a widely scattered comparatively small interior On Easter Monday thousands of kite-flyers Georgetown City Council and the Fire Service population traversing terrain mountains, turned out from five o’clock in the morning. Kites became involveddifficult with her. TheofFire Service forests and rivers; and importantly, to keep the population informed daily. were all hand-made and were in a variety of shapes cleaned the bandstand and in a few days all the When Dr Ertenisa Hamilton was asked about the daunting such as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predomgarbage was removed and Seawalls appeared task of vaccinating the interior regions, she reiterated that her inant shape was the Guyanese octagon and in a as if they had always been maintained! Many office was informed by the principle of delivery of universal variety of colours. Singing engines, a kite which highthe in entire their praises of this example healthhave carebeen across country. “We cannot serve our made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular. of civic Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land along the Kitty Seacountry,” she responsibility. said, “if we serve it in a manner in which those Kite-flying was always combined with picnicking. The Easter The Seawalls had always been the promenade and park for wall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial building who are easily accessible receive more COVID-19 services kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday. the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, than those who are not easily accessible . . . We are committed As mentioned above, the political tensions and criminality the lastthat quarter of Guyanese the 19th century continued to be so until but the sea is under it. Old fishermen who set their nets on to ensuring every receiveand equitable, accessible kept people away from the Seawalls in the 1960s. By the the 1960s when the country became plagued and acceptable service in all COVID-19 serviceswith andpolitical also in ten- the foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and invade Guyana if theremore wasstable any possibility of a Marxist 1990s life had become and people again began to the general provision of healthcare.” sion and there were robberies on the Seawalls. For most of the fall of the beach. government being installed in Guyana. frequent the Seawalls, but the ambience had changed. There Dr1960s, Franktherefore, Anthony fewer and his team showed and fewer peopleremarkable visited the foreSeawalls. The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enTheup1899 Arbitral Award hadofsettled the boundaries of grew stalls lining the parapet the Public Road from the sight when, early in the pandemic, they approached Covax, an In its heyday, the Seawalls were the most delightful place thusiasts. Many would go there to practise deep breathing of Guyana and Venezuela and these boundaries were fully UN-associated body, and secured a commitment the supply in Georgetown. The vast openness of thefor seascape and the the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and bystalls bothwere parties and the communiof vaccines for 20landscape, percent of the the blue population and silver also sourced all of these well-lit. TheInternational character of the Seawalls surrounding skies and clouds, the even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were accepted ty. One of the junior lawyers representing Venezuela supplies from India, China and Russia. Today, most countries ever-present seagulls and the steady flow of the health-giving the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. at MalletPrevost, left ais letter was not in thetrade world are suffering from vaccine shortage and several Now that the tourism industry beingthat revived, the winds and the enveloping peace and quietude attracted would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by the arbitration, wouldhundreds not receive vaccines for several months from now. to have been opened until after his death. In that letter, Seawalls still offer an attractive attraction. of people at all times of the day. The beach which cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before Guyana is one of the very few developing countries which he claimed that the Arbitral Award was the result of an has enough of a supply of vaccines to achieve herd immunity arrangement between Britain and the Russian arbitrator before year-end. to deprive Venezuela of its rights. After more than half a Dr Anthony, Dr Hamilton, Dr Lall and their team of young century, Venezuela, based on Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous professional nurses have crafted an outstanding programme to letter, now rejected the Arbitral Award and claimed twoconfront the pandemic, including a very fine vaccination thirds of Guyana’s territory. Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous programme, and by now herd immunity should have been letter was the causus Venezuela used to threaten Guyana clearly in sight. But this has been frustrated byFrom an outlandish Page III and this continued after the Cold War, the raison d’etre for misinformation campaign against the vaccine by use of social the claim, had ended. media and rumours. forandthat area and zoneprofession in the village. “So we several short documentaries Most lawyers and historians who took any notice Drtimate Anthony others in the medical have been in theto space of 18have months, will work with villagers called the “Secret Life of of Mallet-Prevost’s letter dismissed it as a historical appealing those who allowed themselves to bethe misled, somethemselves, 33 Giant their Anteaters to their createcommunities certain rules to protect families and by and Giant Anteaters” and each curiosity or very flimsy evidence on which to attempt to were identified. help them to know what taking the vaccine. Dr Anthony, in patient disappointment, they episode focuses on different upset a long-accepted Arbitral Award. But the Venezuelan According “Availability to Millar, re-of vaccines should and should do. For aspects of the work being recently remarked: is not the not issue; politicians and the Venezuelan public gave credence and searching animals done. Two more episodes are one is allowed it is making surethe that peopleincludcome andexample, get their no vaccination .. importance to Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, which ed going out on horseback kill them, keep . Unfortunately, we have seen in sometocommunities therethem has as a expected to be released this would have been dismissed in the modern world. But following them fromofa allpet, destroy their habitat, been and vaccine hesitancy because kinds of myths.” Con- and month. the Venezuelan politicians and public still live in the 19th sumerdistance advocates areable less to polite than light Dr Anthony would to be stock The team also does a lot a fire inand certain places, century Napoleonic world where territorial conquests were point up outon that not being vaccinated as a we result, infecting more scientific infor- and so that can further protect of awareness work, including regarded as acceptable and even heroic. In today’s world, other mation. persons, One is criminal. In the unlikely event of the vacciof the things environmental education. the population.” this 19th-century ethic has been completely rejected. natedthey beingdiscovered infected, the would scarcely be fatal,has but ifbeen They have another project for is attack that the The SRCS The Guyana/Venezuela controversy has been an albathe unvaccinated experiences severe attack, person animals loveperson to climb trees. a granted two that years of addi- which they have designed an tross around the necks of Venezuelan politicians, since they could be “Everyone near to death’s door. across the tional funding from the Small environmental education curuse it on each other and their public has them imprisoned ItRupununi is of the highest national importance that the popassumed it was Grants Programme Guyana riculum that has so far been ulation be vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic, by it. jaguars when they saw huge to expand the project to three implemented in four schools since it will protect citizens, their families and society from The Venezuelan seizure of the two Guyanese fishing scratch marks on trees, but more communities, namely in the Rupununi and come suffering and untimely death. It would also guard against boats and President Maduro’s threatening words to Guyana nowbeing we know that to it could’ve Wariwau this September, depending citizens victims variants ofShulinab the virusVillage, and sudden was meant to create a national issue which the opposition been the have anteaters, because on the coronavirus pandemic, Outstation, and Sawariwau spikes which wreaked such havoc in several counhas to support. The opposition is thus brought under Madshows that they will be implemented to 12 Village.which would lift tries our andresearch help to achieve herd immunity, uro’s umbrella and is temporarily neutralised. love to climb trees,” Millar other schools. The SRCS uses the fundthe lockdowns and return society to social and economic
Research work helping curb...
disclosed.
ing to pay the local rangers
“The wildlife is there.
A decision by the ICJ would be in both countries’
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MAY 16, 2021 Dear Student,
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
IF it be now, ‘tis not to come; if it be not to co me, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the re adiness is all. WILLIAM SH AKESPEARE (1564-1616)
Welcome, dear friend. It is impossible to escape the consequences of improperly treating some thoughts during study time. Do not postpone thinking about something important or acting upon another. Each postponement invariably fuels anxiety which increases in intensity and occupies much emotional energy, with your study becoming un-
productive. Offset your anxiety; take immediate and appropriate action. Regardless of wanting to maintain focus, take a break at times and attend to nagging thoughts. Robust study is no companion of anxiety. Love you. THE PASSAGE A reflective essay My mother made all the clothes we wore, even my brothers’ overalls. She made all the towels and sheets we used. She spent the summers canning vegetables and fruits. She spent the winter evenings making quilts enough to cover all our beds. During the “working” day, she laboured beside – not behind – my father in the fields. Her day began before sunup, and did not end until late at night. There was never a moment for her to sit down, undisturbed, to unravel her own private thoughts; never a time free from interruption – by work or the noisy inquiries of her many children. And yet, it is to my mother – and all our mothers who were not famous – that I went in search of the secret of what has fed, what muzzled and often mutilated, that vibrant, creative spirit that the black woman has inherited, and that pops out in wild and unlikely places to this day. But when, you will ask, did my overworked mother have time to know or care about feeding the creative spirit? The answer is so simple that many of us have spent many years discovering it. We have constantly looked high, when we should have looked high – and low. (Alice Walker ’s “In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens”) Thinking about the passage 1. When you read the title of this reflective essay, what experience or idea do you expect the writer will reflect on? Explain. 2. What words does she repeatedly use to suggest the essay’s main idea? 3. What did Walker admire in her mother?
4. Describe briefly the home and other setting in which Walker grew up. 5. In what ways do you think Walker’s mother represent women in general? 6. Write a reflective essay about any person or situation this passage brings to your mind. Let your study partners read and speak about your language use: Do they see it conveying an attitude toward the character(s) or situation, and your reader? Can they hear your voice as they read about your personal experience? Have you spoilt it somewhat with overdoing the technical and abstract terms and thoughts? Let them point out your tone (created by setting, choice of vocabulary and other details) by using one or two terms from the list below, or finding other adjectives of their choice: joyful, serious, sad, humorous, threatening, informal, formal, pessimistic, optimistic... THE POEM Working with the poem The Washerwomen Down where the river beats itself against the stones, And washes them in clouds of frothy spray, Or foaming, fumbles through them with the thousand tones Of an orchestra, The women wash, and humming keep a sort of time; And families of bubbles frisk and float away To be destroyed, Like all the baffled hopes that had their little suns, Tossed on the furious drifts of disappointments, But all the tide Cradles these clinging bubbles ever still, alike The friendly little hopes that never leave the heart. What to Do: This is such a beautiful poem. 1. How does this poem emphasise the connection between the women and nature? How are the lives of the two tied up with the river? 2. What figure of speech is used by the poet concern-
ing the river? 3. Tell the poem’s message to a study partner. 4. What is different in this kind of poem? Why is it not considered straightforward? IMPROVING READING Support predictions Directions: Read the selection. Then, answer the questions. Eric shifted the gears on his new ten-speed bike. He had saved his money for a whole year, and now he was finally riding it for the first time. As he cruised down the street, his friend, Travis, ran out of his house. Oh, no, thought Eric. He liked and trusted Travis, but Travis was always asking for favours. I am not going to give in today, Eric decided firmly. “Wow! Cool bike!” Travis shouted. “Hey,” he said, eyeing the bike hopefully. “Can I ask you something?” 1. What do you think Travis will do next? A.. simply turn back inside B.. ask to borrow Eric’s baseball C.. ask to ride the bike D.. steal the bike 2. What clue supports your prediction? A.. Travis does not have a bike of his own. B.. Travis likes the bike and always asks favours. C.. Travis is not liked by Eric. D.. Travis is untrustworthy and mean. 3. What do you think Eric will do next? A.. ride away without answering Travis B.. look back and call for his mother C.. refuse to lend his bike to Travis D.. let Travis ride his bike 4. What clue supports your prediction? A.. Eric dislikes Travis and does not trust him. B.. Eric likes Travis but is tired of doing favours. C.. Eric is now getting to know Travis. D.. Eric feels guilty about his decision.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021
Medically related questions DENTISTS do not treat teeth, instead, they treat people with teeth. It was the famous British physician Sir William Osler who once said one should “never treat a stranger.” His statement is especially applicable to the practice of dentistry, in which the physical and emotional stability of the patient is determined primarily by using medical history. Indeed, patients do not always appreciate the significance of medically related questions asked by a dentist. Because of this disadvantage that dentists face, they are forced to develop and master the science of inquiry and establish the rapport that precedes the unguarded flow of pertinent information. Let us examine a few general conditions which have dental implications. One of the most common types of infection is the urinary tract infection, of which sexually transmitted disease is an important part. Patients with such infections are on highly specific drugs such as sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, methamine, mandelic acid and phenazopyridine. Because these diseases have reached epidemic proportions in this country, when we discuss venereal diseases, we must therefore take into account the increase in orogenital ( oral sex ) activity that can be accompanied by corresponding increases. For example, most chronic, hard-to-treat sore throats are really gonorrhoea of the oropharynx. So the extent to which the recognition of these conditions require modification of dental therapy and the clinical implications for office personnel are obvious. The foci of dental infections and transient bacteria in the bloodstream associated with dental procedures must also be a cardinal concern to orthopaedic surgeons. The involvement arises from varicose veins which are dilated, tortuous vessels usually the result of incompetent valves. However, with a history of heaviness, aching and swelling of legs, especially toward the end of the day, the condition may be secondary to thrombophlebitis, injury, increased venous pressure, pregnancy, or heart failure. Swollen, painful joints and bone deformity may be due to trauma, infections, metabolic and immunologic disturbances, or tumours (growths). A history of deviated septum and polyps in the nasal cavity should alert the clinician to possible mouth breathing, leading to xerostomia (dry mouth ) and dental caries. Evidence of cardiovascular disease or its symptoms, ( shortness of breath, pain and pressure in the chest, swelling of the ankles, high or low blood pressure and heart murmur) suggestive of heart disease, should be carefully evaluated before any dental procedure. A shower of sparks in one quadrant of the eye followed by a curtain moving across the eye may be suggestive of retinal detachment. Black spots moving in front of the eyes followed by “bad feelings” is the first and most common sign of migraine headache. Patients with glaucoma often omit to mention in drug history, particularly if administered as eye drops, and this omission may lead to the inappropriate prescription of contaminants. Listing most of the significant aspects of medical conditions which directly or indirectly impact the success of dental treatment would appear to be endless. Because tradition does not easily allow for the dentist to probe and physically investigate on a routine basis most med-
ical conditions, the onus is on the patient to voluntarily provide the relevant information to him.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, May 16, 2021