Sunday, July 21, 2019
Laluni
Creating stir in White House
A community budding with potential SEE PG XV
Guyana-born chef Kashif Browne makes his mark
Guyanese born chef Kashif Browne stands next to the famous 'BEAST' the official presidential vehicle of US President Donald Trump
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Transforming natural resources into skillful masterpieces By Aiesha Scottland A piece of wood rests on a plinth on the ground floor of the National Gallery, Castellani House with a second-place blue ribbon next to it. What makes this wood so special is the value added to it. Artist Irene Bacchus-Holder has managed to transform a piece of log into a prize-winning masterpiece. How did she do it? “To be honest, when I turned that bowl I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. I had in mind to do something grand but then as I looked at it I decided to do dancing figures using Guyana’s Petroglyphs. I wanted to do something different that nobody else thought about. I started burning jaguars, forest scenes and so on. I don’t plan what it is that I’m doing on a piece, it just comes,” she said. As Irene searched within herself she taught about her heritage, our heritage; the fact that our first people were the Indigenous Peoples and they chronicled their discovery of this beautiful country by etching petroglyphs on rock. Not knowing exactly what these images represent as an artist she made her own interpretation- more than just creating an aesthetically pleasing piece she aimed to
represent history; more than just winning a prize she wants to bring awareness. awareness to our cultural diversity and to our rare and endemic wood species which she believes would be more profitable to Guyana once value is added.
wooden creations using unique designs. The interest in pyrography was sparked after seeing a neighbour who studied in Russia burning on boxes. Irene bought items and offered them as gifts to friends and family. She sent her brother a gift of something that her neigh-
Using pyrography; art burnt on wood, leather and sheepskin, Irene embellishes her
bour made and to her surprise, he promptly sent back burning equipment and said: do it. “Once you can draw, you can burn,” he said. What started as a hobby soon grew into a business. After her Neighbour migrated, the man who supplied the boxes for burning encouraged Irene to go into business by supplying her work to Guyana stores. Eventually, he stopped supplying her boxes but the demand was there. Once again her brother intervened and aided her newfound passion by sending some beginners woodworking machines. Quickly her business expanded and she employed two trade schoolboys to work with her. Together they developed products where she created the designs, they would make the items and she added her embellishments. Her workforce continued to grow from two to five then eight employees. However, the unreliability of the art market caused Irene to lay off her workers. She had to learn to do everything on her own. “You know the internet is a beautiful tool. Of course over the years I’ve developed a better technique, I’ve learnt how to burn deeper, I’ve invested in more expensive and more sophisticated equipment, and of course I have better pieces,” Irene said. Yes! Irene is self-taught. With no formal training, she has truly demonstrated Guyana’s Ingenuity. AMAZON AUTHENTICS In 2002 Irene registered her business, Amazon Authentics. Amazon Authentics creates decorative and functional items using a wide range of Guyana’s rare and endemic species of wood. Inspired by Guyana’s natural environment, an integral part of Irene’s work is sourcing her material locally. “The wood species that we have are some of the densest in the world,” she said. She works with Purpleheart, Wamara, Simarupa and Itikiboraballi and other rare
Artist, Irene Bacchus-Holder
species found in Linden. “What keeps me going is seeing the joy and awe on people’s face when they see a piece created from a chunk of wood. The fact that the average Guyanese person does not understand what art is, my products are constantly compared to those made with CNC machines. Hand-done work takes time,” Irene explained. She talks about art with great enthusiasm and at the same time with frustration and disappointment. Yet she perseveres. In 2008 Irene was nominated as one of the 10 finalists in the inaugural UNCTAD/ EMPRETEC International Women in Business Award in recognition of her creative work. In 2014 she received the second prize in the Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition (GVACE) Fine Craft category. A prize she has claimed yet again in this year’s competition. Irene also gained recognition by Caribbean Export Development Agency in 2015 when she was selected as one of 10 Creative Businesses in the region and was sponsored to be a part of the Design Caribbean program to display products in Birmingham, UK. In 2018 Irene received the Commissioner’s prize for the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Art Competition.
For Irene, Art is freedom. She loves the freedom it gives her to express her individual creativity, imagination and to offer her interpretation to the world. “Art is something that comes from within. If you are a true artist or you have a creative mind it comes from within and that’s what I like; my ability to express what comes from within.”
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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Who said nothing good can’t come from Albouystown?
By Leson Jones AS a young girl growing up in Albouystown, Dr. Hollina Alfred watched all the episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. After being thrilled by the television series, it fuelled her desire to become a medical doctor. Of course, this was just one reason. Speaking with the Pepperpot Magazine, Alfred related that a personal experience also
becoming a medical practitioner. “Though times were tough during my childhood, I was determined to go the extra mile to realise my dreams,” she explained. Both her parents, Kavita and Earl Alfred at that time could not afford to fund her tertiary education, but good things were in store. So it was no accident that months after, she received the Central High School Alumni Scholarship to further her studies. One year after concluding her prereq-
Dr Alfred taking care of one on her patients
inspired her decision. “After I saw my little brother struggling with overcoming seizures, the impact this had on my family at large was suffocating; we struggled emotionally and financially to ensure that he was taken care of,” she stated Dr. Alfred is the eldest of five children who started from humble beginnings in Albouystown. Most of the residents of the community had already seen her as a doctor before she realised it. Children around the neighbourhood would frequently visit her home to have their cuts and bruises cleaned and dressed. Parents of the community would also go to her to for medical advice even before she got her medical licence. STELLAR PERFORMANCE Alfred attended Central High School in Georgetown, graduating in 2013 with nine subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, including three distinctions, three grade ones, and three grade twos. Her outstanding performance won her many accolades and high praises from her school teachers and headteacher. Immediately after high school, she wasted no time as she set her sights on becoming a doctor. Living in a one-bedroom home with her parents, four siblings, and her grandmother was just a fraction of the hardships the young Alfred faced on her journey to
uisite course in Biology at the University of Guyana, she obtained the required Grade Point Average of 3.5 to take her studies further. She immediately enrolled at the university to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine and General Surgery. During her semester (vacation) breaks at the academic institution, she constructively occupied her time by participating in the annual “Teens Camp” organiSed by the Full Gospel Church at Haruaruni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Alfred then did her internship in General Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was a prerequisite part of her medical programme. When asked about some of the challenges she had encountered after four years of being a doctor, she stated: “Breaking the bad news to the patient and [the] patient’s relatives is the most challenging task to do.” Her love for her profession has developed stronger as she assimilates new things daily. She relishes the gratification she feels after nursing a patient back to good health. “Every day, I advise my patients on proper health practices and offer them advice on how to take full care of their bodies, whether old or young,” she recounted. It is this good advice that makes her so busy, as patients usual flock her to provide service to them. Her career continued to
blossom at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was awarded Best Presenter in the Interns’ Research Presentation in October 2018. Her major immediate goal going forward is to complete her residency programme in order to take her career to the next level. “Finding a cure for HIV/Aids and other diseases that plague our country today,” she said is one of her sought-after goals, as she continues to ply her trade at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. ADVICE TO OTHERS Reflecting on her challenges in life, the young doctor is urging all to embrace setbacks as they help to bring out the best in people. Most days after a long day, she engages in making holiday cards and watching television series. She believes her strength was inherited from her mother, whom she described as her role model. “She gives selflessly to her children to ensure everything she couldn’t achieve or wasn’t available to her is achievable by us and readily available to us. I have seen my mother make a way in numerous unfortunate circumstances to get me through high school and the university. Happy to say that today all her efforts are manifested in my success
Dr Alfred performing her duties with a smile (Adrian Narine photo)
to this point,” she expressed. She also advised: “Never despise small beginnings. Never let material things or gain change your personality. Always be true to who you are. Wisdom without God is foolishness. Always remember to look up, smile, and give thanks to [him] because time is limited.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
injections medicines pain Guyana welcomes ‘dry needling’ technique
By Telesha Ramnarine GUYANA is now being introduced to functional integrated ‘dry needling,’ a technique similar to acupuncture, that is being used in many developed countries to aid in faster relief of various types of pain. Current pain-relief methods being used by medical practitioners usually see a patient receiving help within 20 to 30 minutes, but with this new method, pain can be relieved within just three seconds to five minutes. Senior Physiotherapist with the Ministry of Public Health’s Rehabilitation Services Department, Beverly Nelson, explained the technique in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, recently. The government, through the MoPH, arranged for Dr Mihir Somaiya, a physical therapist from India teaching ‘dry needling’ across 28 countries, to come to Guyana and teach the country’s 17 physiotherapists how to apply this technique when treating patients. The physiotherapists, from health centres all across Guyana, met for the training a few days ago at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, to complete parts one and two of the exercise. It is difficult to find someone to teach the technique, and further, conducting the training is very expensive. It is for these reasons that the final aspect of the training will be completed sometime next year. But Nelson is confident that even with the training incomplete, the physiotherapists will be competent enough to begin applying the technique immediately after parts one and two of the training. Upon completion of the entire package, the physiotherapists will receive diplomas. WHAT IS ‘DRY NEEDLING’? In an interview with this publication, Dr Somaiya explained that ‘dry needling’ is a new technique that significantly aids in muscular pain relief. Practitioners work on the ‘trigger points,’ he said, for various conditions of muscular, skeleton and sports rehabilitation. The technique is very useful for persons with orthopaedic problems and can even be used in geriatric cases. During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into the skin. These are fine, short, stainless-steel needles that do not inject fluid into the body. Hence the term dry” needling. “Many are opting for a non-medicinal approach to pain management of knee pains, spinal problems, etc. This particular treatment works fantastically for spine and knee for the common population. Con-
Dr Mihir Somaiya
The diameter of the needle is 0.25 millimetres, while the lengths vary from 25 ml, 40 ml, 60 ml, 75 ml and 100 ml. The type of needle used will be determined by the depth of the muscle that has to be penetrated.
Physiotherapist Soroya Simmons
Senior Physiotherapist Beverly Nelson
sumption of medication goes very minimal and the pain can be eased out,” Dr. Somaiya explained. “It is a method used in the management of pain. It is not the same as acupuncture; the physiology is a bit different. We in ‘rehab’ deal a lot with persons who have pain; back pain, knee pain, and different types of pain. This is an additional skill to help us in the management of the various patients we see,” Mrs. Nelson explained the technique. She continued: “We used other modalities like heat and ice. We didn’t do any sort
of needling as such, so this is new to us. It is something that works faster as well, because you get immediate effects. Within three seconds to five minutes, persons will feel immediate relief of their pain related to injury or arthritis or those types of things. Before, our treatment sessions lasted 20 to 30 minutes, but this can be within seconds.” According to Mrs Nelson, the diameter of the filiform needle is very small, so that the patient will not feel the usual needle pain. “The most you may feel is just a little jab. You don’t feel anything else after.”
Dr Somaiya conducting a class on ‘dry needling’ with local physiotherapists
A GOOD ALTERNATIVE Soroya Simmons is one of the physiotherapists who benefitted recently from the training. She is based at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and said she plans on using the new technique on herself and patients. “I tried it on myself. I was feeling some pain on my hand and I was immediately relieved. So it’s definitely something I plan on using more both for myself and my patients,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine. “So if you’re a person that doesn’t like taking medicine or taking injections, or don’t like foreign things in your body, I think this is a good alternative. It’s a very specialised skill. I know we had a lot of Chinese doctors that are here for acupuncture, but this is very different.” Simmons called attention to how costly it is to get someone to come to Guyana and teach the technique, and said she was therefore happy to benefit from it. The ministry paid about $6M to get parts one and two of the training completed. “If this is the start, I feel we have good opportunities for other courses to come on board and help us expand our education,” she expressed. Meanwhile, Nelson noted that the technique is being practised a lot in the United States, Australia, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and other countries. “After the training once we get the resources, including the needles, the physiotherapists will go back to their communities to begin practising. In fact, Dr. Somaiya brought some needles with him.” Dr Somaiya feels that local practitioners need more exposure to the latest research that is available. “The skills over here, I’ll tell you frankly, are quite old. More and more exposure is needed for the therapists and new research is required by the population over here, new techniques, because the world right now is far ahead.” He has developed and presented the courses on pain management using dry needles in many countries for medical and physical therapy practitioners through his institute located in the United Kingdom called Functional Integrated Dry Needling (FIDN LTD).
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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‘I saw my whole life in the arts field’
- Filmmaker Richard B Mahase is proud he followed his passion Richard migrated to the United States to take his ideas and plans forward
By Telesha Ramnarine AS a boy growing up on the beautiful island of Leguan in the Essequibo River, Richard B Mahase always knew that he had it in him to someday make it big in the country’s arts field. Although life was not a ‘bed of roses’ for him in his early days, he kept in mind what his strengths were and used each opportunity he got to capitalise on them. From living a somewhat nomadic life to ensure a meal and place to sleep, to now launching a movie in Guyana that accords with international standards, Mahase shared his story with the Pepperpot Magazine a few days ago. He is currently here to promote a film he wrote and directed called, ‘The Tenants,’ which will premiere at Caribbean Cinemas tomorrow night. EARLY BEGINNINGS Mahase was born at Suddie, and spent the first 10 years of his life between Anna Regina and Henrietta, all Essequibo Coast villages. In 1971, his parents Frank and Shirley (now deceased) moved him and his siblings to
Leguan, where he continued his education at Endeavour Primary. “Leguan is a paradise beyond compare. It is a magical place for me. The Essequibo Coast is also unique. Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, and Hague are my three favourite villages on the WCD.” Mahase then wrote both the College of Preceptors (CP) and Preliminary Certificate Examinations in 1973 and gained enough subjects to secure a place at Stewartville Secondary School on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), where he would travel by boat from Leguan in the morning and return by afternoon until the time that he found accommodations on the WCD. “I was a really poor student. I was good at nothing except English and Literature. So I saw my whole life in the literary field, artistic field. I always felt in my heart of hearts that English, History, Literature…my fascination was always there,” Mahase expressed. The family couldn’t afford him a university education, although it was what he wanted. “I wanted to do UG, but the truth is, we couldn’t afford it financially. And even if I could’ve gone further educationally, I did not have funding or finances or a place
One of the streets where Richard grew up in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast
to stay. I was staying at an extremely poor family on the WCD, who looked after me. In fact, I lived from day to day at different friends’ homes in order to get a meal and a place to sleep.” Fortunately, he did manage to do some creative writing classes with former poet and political activist Martin Carter (now deceased), according to what his finances could’ve allowed him. “His classes were invaluable. We found each other and for about two years, I enjoyed his company.” Although not having a lot of qualifications, Mahase landed a job at the Guyana Chronicle after his interview with Courtney Gibson and Raschid Osman (both media personnel who are now deceased). He began in the proofreading department and worked for many years until he was appointed sub-editor and then, columnist. AGREE TO DISAGREE Mahase recalled that even as a boy, his
“It was a sitcom that was meant to bridge the divide that was taking place in our country. Of course, some people found it disagreeable, but the majority of people enjoyed it. For many years, while people said things, I did not stand to defend the product. I said time will be the judge of the product. “It was at a time when this country didn’t have any sitcoms; hadn’t had the kind of laughter that I was able to bring about. I was watching TV and listening to the radio about all that was taking place in our country and said I wanted to do something different. No one thought it was a good idea, but I did it and it went on to be broadcast for several years,” Mahase expressed. THE TENANTS After succeeding with the comedy show, Mahase felt he wanted to press on to something else. “And the other spectrum is drama. I said to myself that it has to be a movie or a really good series. And I had a lot of ideas.”
Mahase (centre) with his Leguan buddies while on a visit to the island
passion was always in the arts. “I always wanted to do something with radio, television, and I had a fascination with creating things,” he said. Regularly going to the cinema on the island also fuelled his desire and interests. “There was the ‘Viola’ Cinema (named after former President Forbes Burnham’s wife) in Leguan. We used to go to that cinema as young boys. My good friends and still my buddy friends are Mr Cuffy, David Roopa, Mankat, Swami, Robert, Dhan, Jaws. That bundle of friends and a few more…we grew up together as dreamers.” Mahase always admired legendary broadcaster Pancho Carew. “We went to cinema. I told myself I wanted to be like him on the radio and I actually got to work with him before he passed away.” It was in the 1980s that he wrote what went on to become the popular and wellloved ‘Agree to Disagree’ sitcom, which many persons initially thought would not be successful.
He went to the United States to move his ideas forward and fortunately encountered a good friend, George Subraj (now deceased), with whom he partnered to make ‘The Tenants,’ a dramatic film centred on the work that Subraj did for a living. “I now live abroad because I wanted to expand my horizon and what I do as an artist. I wanted to learn technically how to do my craft at the highest level.” Expressing how he felt about being able to make a film, Mahase expressed: “Since I was a little boy, I always wanted to make artistic contributions to my country. While I didn’t go to film school per se, I read a lot of film-making. There is no sense of nervousness or anticipation in me, because I have about four projects lined up that I am so eager to do tomorrow. I just want to get to my next project.” Mahase said he is guided by simple rules in life. “Humility tops ego; respect trumps arrogance, and discipline is the key to starting any relationship that you hope to be something beneficial.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
The Guyana Police Force 180 years of Service and Protection
By Francis Quamina Farrier EARLIER this month, the Guyana Police Force held a series of activities celebrating its 180th anniversary. The celebrations commenced with an impressive route march around the city of Georgetown on Saturday, July 6. Other events included a Grand Drumhead Church Service at Police Headquarters, their Annual Athletics Championships and an awards ceremony, among other events. The theme of this 180th Anniversary is, “Securing and Protecting our Nation through Collaboration and Dedication.” However, at this time, the Guyana Police Force is facing some challenges to its century-plus old image, because of the unlawful activities of some of its members. After being regarded as the BEST police force in the West Indies during colonial British Guiana, there have been reports of some police ranks committing a variety of crimes in more recent times. That has resulted in the loss of full confidence by the Guyanese people. Most of the offending officers have been disciplined. In some cases, they were fired from the force. Some years ago, a Police Complaints Authority was set up to receive complaints about police ranks who commit unlawful acts on members of the public and make recommendations for disciplinary action. In more recent decades, the job of those ranks who serve in the Crime Detection and Prevention Division has become much more difficult and challenging, since they sometimes come face-to-face with hardened criminals in shoot-out encounters. As is known, there have been ranks who have lost their lives in such encounters. Many brave and professional ranks continue to do the right things and uphold the grand Motto of, “SERVICE AND PROTECTION.” Law-abiding citizens are appreciative of the service and protection provided by those ranks and are grateful to them for continuing to do the right things as law enforcement officers. Ranks who serve in the Immigration Division have also been receiving high praise from the international travelling public for how they function at the country’s international airports and border crossings. Many times some ranks go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the image of the force. For example, there was a group of police ranks attached to the Alberttown Police Station, who used to visit with centenarian Olive Blackmore, who resided two blocks from the station. They did that on every birthday and every Christmas, taking gifts and spending quality time with the elderly woman from the time she had reached age 100 years, and until she passed away at age 105. On a personal level, I have had many positive interactions with the Guyana Police Force, over the decades, being involved as an adviser to one of their cultural productions many years ago. On another occasion, I worked with a video cameraman on the production of a special video mini-documentary for the 150th anniversary. Unfortunately, there were a few negative experiences with some rogue members of the Guyana Police Force. On one occasion while going about my lawful work as a journalist, I was de-
Present Police Commissioner Leslie James, DSS, DSM, with Francis Quamina Farrier
tained at the Aurora Police station on the Essequibo Coast, when two ranks ‘accused’ me of video recording the station while I was on the public road. Yes, my camera did include the station, but that is NOT an offence, as Commissioner Laurie Lewis later explained at a media briefing. Both of the ranks who had unlawfully detained me at the Aurora Police Station were subsequently fired from the force for other rogue activities.
While some cops in the Guyana Police Force find themselves on the wrong side of the law, most citizens recognise the many good officers. As a journalist, I have done many stories both on television and in the print media, about cops who have done admirable police work over the years. Let me give an example with an article I wrote over two decades ago. It was about a young police officer cadet who led a team of
police officers and soldiers into the harsh mosquito and snake-infested jungle around the Mazaruni Prison. The mission was to recapture escaped prisoners. From “Mission Impossible”, that brave young police officer cadet made it, “Mission Accomplished”, with the recapture of all the escapees. His name is David Ramnarine. Here now are two other examples of distinguished police work which I previously reported in the media. There was a cop who was going after a wanted man at Port Kaituma. He discovered the man hiding in a clump of bushes. He did not shoot him dead as is sometimes the case in such circumstances. Instead, he arrested the desperado and took him to the police station. The other example which I witnessed and reported on the VCT TV Evening News occurred at Mahdia. There was a constable stationed there who spent every evening of his own time coaching the youngsters of the area in multiple ball games. The result of that simple little news item by me on the VCT TV Evening News, resulted in Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis promoting the rank. And even as the force celebrates its 180th anniversary, I pose two questions; when will the name be changed from “The Guyana Police Force” as was indicated a few months ago to “The Guyana Police Service”? And will the next commissioner of police be a woman?
The Alberttown Police Station in Georgetown where some “Angels in Uniform” were stationed. (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier)
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Guyana-born chef creating stir in White House portal of opportunity opened for Kashif and he wasted no time in seizing the moment. He migrated to Maryland, USA. Within a mere year of being in the USA, this vibrant youngster was accepted into the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Washington. This is where he recognised the true power of his gifted hands. Kashif continued to embellish his credentials after completion of a work and study stint in Italy. He was able to glean a collection of skills at The Zeppelin Ristorante in Orvieto and was also a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society before graduating from this prestigious instiKashif Browne tution. By Gordon Moseley Within seven years, Kashif travelled and worked at SINCE his teenage years, different corners of AmerGuyanese Kashif John ica, gradually becoming a Browne had great taste for culinary savant. Some of his the finer things in life and notable portfolio entries inembraced the words of Al- clude Las Vegas, New York, bert Einstein as his mantra: the French Ambassador’s “Try not to become a man Residence, Cheryl Crow of success, but rather a man and Kid Rock concert, the of value.” Grammy Award Ceremony, He has used those words Umbria Winter Fest-James to guide his journey through Beard House and many more. adulthood, while amassing Each day, Kashif is invaluable attributes in each creasingly grateful to the phase. erudite chefs who taught Kashif reminisces on the him along the way; the ones child-like simplicity of his who fervently delineated primary school days at St. the techniques and recipes Margaret’s, where he perse- and shared some of the great vered to be an all-rounder secrets of cooking. and tried his utmost to per The quality of this young fect each discipline of study. chef’s apron would certainly A triumphant perfor- improve as he scaled the mance at the annual Com- ladder of success, moving mon Entrance Examinations up from being a Saucier to earned him a spot at The a Sous Chef, to Executive Bishop’s High School. Sous Chef. He now has a Kashif had a morbid fear full-time job at the Residence of becoming complacent, so of the White House where he he exhibited laser-like focus caters to the First Family of in all of his endeavours. De- the United States of America. spite being academically gift Though this 29-year-old ed, Kashif immersed himself culinary genius has reached in extra-curricular activities great heights perfecting his at school. He played the steel craft, he remains humbled pan, cricket, basketball, table by his simple beginnings in tennis, participated in drama Carmichael Street, South and was also an integral Cummingsburg. member of the school choir. Kashif raves over French He was able to attain excep- and Asian cuisine, but entional grades in the field of sures he delivers the Caribbusiness. bean, and more so, Guyanese During his adolescence, flavour in all of his dishes. Kashif fell in love with the Kashif continues to art of cooking, eventually soar to the zenith of his discerning this art as his career goals and dreams of niche. much more, but his greatHis first inspiration as it est satisfaction has been relates to this culinary prow- marrying his high school ess was his mother, since he sweetheart Dr Sulan Fung spent lengthy periods absorb- BDS and producing two ing her talent in the kitchen. handsome sons - Keanu After one semester at the Seth and Sheru John. He University of Guyana, a new loves them endlessly!
Kashif and his family with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during a Christmas party at the White House
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
A pastor’s work beyond the church By Michel Outridge PASTOR Brian Wishart has been the village pastor and a volunteer social officer for the past 25 years. He is the pastor attached to the Faith Apolostic Centre at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, where he is also a resident. Wishart told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is very involved in social work that has to do with domestic violence, child abuse in general and the welfare of families, since he is a professionally trained counsellor. “I do more social work than actual church work because that is my passion and the high point of my true passion is education and children. So much so, I adopted three children from within this community, even though I have nine children of my own,” he admitted. SELFLESS Pastor Wishart adopted all three of the children when they were infants. Two are now 15 and 17 years old, while the third-- his most recent adoption-- is a six-year-old boy. The father of 12 children –- nine of whom are his biological offspring--- said when it comes to children and their welfare he is selfless and has opened his home to children, who are not his own and try to make them comfortable. His daughter got married on Saturday last and that was the only way he told her she could leave home and she did not disappoint him. “If people find the right things to do, they can make this place a better world by being selfless,” he said. As a military-trained person, he has no problem with discipline which works well with his spiritual training as the village pastor and when combined they go hand in hand. The Faith Apostolic Church has been around for 25 years and has a membership of about 100, most of whom are from the community. Pastor Wishart stated that the church has an active Sunday School and a canteen and presently, the building is overcrowded and
Pastor Brian Wishart in his church at Land of Canaan
they would like to relocate to a bigger plot within the village, where they will have a parking lot and a home for children. “Nothing is impossible with God. Over 25 years I got this church building which was built by members of this community without any loan, and I know we are going to achieve a lot,” Pastor Wishart said.
CHILDREN’S HOME It is his vision to establish a home for children where they can be accommodated in a free zone and when they relocate to a bigger building, he will see that the existing edifice will house a day care centre, where phonics will be taught since the closest one is at Pearl,
a neighbouring village. “This is not a ‘bourgeois’ community, people here are from the grassroots level. Regular, honest folks, making a living, but if you know where we came from you would say we have developed over the years. I think the church played a part in bringing about this change because back then we had logies and huts for houses, and today we have bigger houses and the environment has been enhanced,” Pastor Wishart said. BUSINESS INPUT Then, he related, Barama came into the picture and began employing people from the village and they were able to improve their lives. Pastor Wishart told the Pepperpot Magazine that Land of Canaan is a place where people walk to work and back home because of the businesses like Gafoor’s in the community. He stated that Gafoor’s has played a major role in employing residents. “Recently Mr Gafoor called me to say I should identify 50 persons since he wants to donate 50 bicycles to assist children whose parents are financially unstable. The bicycle he said would assist the children in getting to and from school. I commend him for that; names were given and the bicycles will be handed over soon,” he said. He noted that Barama Company has contributed to development of the people as well; upon his request the company donated plywood to residents to assist in the construction of houses. Pastor Wishart told the Pepperpot Magazine that recently the Old Road, Land of Canaan was paved and internal streets were re-surfaced. “Matter of fact, the residents installed their own posts, light and water then the authorities came in to make it legal. The whole place was named ‘Egypt’; back then it was …widespread poverty and it was a ghetto. As such, the stigma was attached to the village and it was painted as a ‘bad place,’ but things have changed for the better,” the pastor said.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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SBB wants strong, robust sustainable small businesses in Guyana - Dr. Lowell Porter with lending agencies where the SBB would provide a collateral guaranty. One can also apply for a grant which has to go through a grant committee. It must be a registered business and has to be GRA and NIS compliance among other things. It was only in 2004 that the SBB Act came out, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the Act had an office space and it was only in 2013, into 2014 that funds were made available, Porter related. Monies were injected through the Car-
Dr. Lowell Porter
By Elvin Carl Croker SMALL businesses can do for Guyana what it did for the United States, says Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau (SBB) Dr. Lowell Porter. In an exclusive interview at his office in La Penitence Georgetown, Porter explained that Guyana needs a structured business environment or support in place just as the US did. “It’s new, we are building on it and we are going to be just like the United States where the US had this Small Business Development Center,” he said. The man at the helm of small business in Guyana said that he is focused on having small businesses developed and to do this he said the Bureau is providing loans through relationships with commercial banks, which offer grants, training and development coaching. To this end, he thanked Republic Bank and GBTI since they are the only two banks that were willing to come on board. The work, he noted, is better accomplished through partnering with institutions who share space and staff. This, he said, is done to achieve more reach. He further stated that there are some policy developments in the pipeline that are presently before the subject minister for approval that are for the betterment of the Bureau. Presently,y the SBB has a database that records over 10,000 clients with small businesses and a sample survey was done last year to see the status of those people found that 70 percent of them were still in business. Porter, however, stated that the goal of the Bureau is to have “help desks” in all 10 regions. This is to adequately reach persons. He, however, noted that the Bureau is challenged in its work. “Given the limited budget and the limited other human and technical resources that are critical to make this whole idea of building strong robust sustainable small businesses,” he said. He called for more value to be placed on people doing small business. “Nine out of 10 times those small business people are dead serious. They believe in what they want to do but they don’t fail because of their own laziness but because they don’t have the necessary resources readily available,” he stressed. SUCCESS STORIES Relating the Bureau’s success stories the
business boss said that there have been clients who started out packaging their products in regular plastic bags but now has packaging that meets international standards. Using three scenarios from the ‘In-school School Entrepreneurial Programme’, he highlighted a student who started off doing lubricants in a riverine community. “He started with $30,000 and today they have a bond that he built on his own and today he has a flourishing business,” he said. He said a similar story happened in Aishalton with a young lady who has a flourishing cake business which she started through the programme. And Also in Paramakatoi, he shared the story of students who have done so well that they have created a money lending agency. “These show entrepreneurship, that they have been making a profit, they have monies available and they are expanding their business,” he related. He, however, noted that the Bureau has not been able to track most businesses successfully to know where the persons started, where they are now and what they did to make that happen since many of the businesses would branch off on their own with their own finances AND with their own families supporting them. He believes that the ‘In-school School Entrepreneurial Programme’ is good for Guyana since it helps to inject ideas into children’s minds of entrepreneurship. “And at the end, we believe we can have a better entrepreneur,” he said GET REGISTERED The CEO said they have noticed a lot of informal businesses around. “I urge all small businesses to get registered. The SBB is a government entity and as such all the services are free,” he implored. He explained that the SBB identifies persons who have a business and depend on that business for their livelihood we have now intervened on those people to find out how can we improve what they are doing. As such the client is brought into the office and is trained and helped in understanding how to manage a small business, how important it is to keep records for that business and what is the process in coming to the bank or the SBB for a loan or grant. He further explained that the SBB does not lend any money but has a relationship
ter Grift programme to the tune of around US$1.6 million and over the years from then to 2018 the Bureau had distributed 595 grants which totals $184 million and which saw some 194 loans given out at an interest rate of 6 percent. He said the SBB is trying to foster a better business climate through its engagement with small businesses and as such has tried its best to have a client relationship where the clients can go in and speak about their business.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Beauty and Medicine A balance of the two
By Marissa V. Foster The second out of four siblings for her parents, there is not just one word to describe Ronecca Arjune’s upbringing. She was very daring and adventurous while playing with her siblings, studious because most of her childhood focused on schooling and she was always the eager one to always learn new things. At the tender age of eight, she started dance school. She performed on many stages which brought about many wins. Her inner ‘tomboy’ made her want to learn how to ride a bike, play cricket, climb trees, ride horses and take baths in the trenches but she also loved to play dress-up. She would put on new clothes, do her makeup and wear her favourite pair of heels just to walk over to the photo studio to have her pictures taken. Arjune secured a place at New Amsterdam Multilateral (NAMS) in the year 2013. She stressed that she missed her dream school by a few marks but was still determined to shine. In grade nine, she entered into Miss Multi pageant where she was the youngest among the girls. This did not deter the young girl, as she emerged as Miss Multi 2016 where she was awarded best smile and best costume. Her platform was based on suicide awareness and prevention, as it was quite prevalent at the
time. In that very year, she went to compete in the Miss New Amsterdam Inter High pageant where she was crowned queen again, she also copped the Miss Intelligent award along with best creative wear. Ronecca used this platform to promote positive self-image. Both pageants have given her a new purpose; she found that she now had young females who looked up to her and that has pushed her to become a better version of herself. Her childhood vision of becoming a general surgeon which is very much alive right now has kept her aligned. Hence, she joined the general-science stream at NAMS. Ronecca can also balance her studies and extracurricular activities as she was also a debater in high school and this led her to emerge as the best speaker at a Local Government Forum in 2017. Upon graduating high school in 2018, she successfully came to the fore as valedictorian at the New Amsterdam Multilateral by passing sixteen subjects. Arjune also received the awards for being an all-rounder, Best Graduating Student, Best Biology Student, Best Agricultural Science Student, Best English B Student and Top General Stream Student. What posed the greatest challenge for Arjune was holding on to all the negatives she has been told. This has held her back tremendously as she allowed these words
Ronecca Arjune executing one of her weekly feeding programmes
to determine who she was. “It was then I came up with a quote which has helped her to persevere. That quote is the mountains in front of you are not for you to carry but for you to climb,’” she said. Ronecca managed to turn negatives into positives. She climbed her mountains and used those words as stepping stones to get to the top. In addition to this, she had a hard time recovering from her decisions in the past. However, she now realizes that ‘sitting back’ and regretting past choices does not change the fact that she made/did them. She was set to start medical studies in July 2019 in China but also wanted to compete in another pageant on an international stage where she can represent Guyana. Eventually, Arjune postponed her studies for the following year since. Ronecca did her research to find a pageant that would best compliment all that she is when she stumbled upon Miss World Guyana. This competition was chosen for a very specific reason and that was its beauty with a purpose project. Her beauty with a purpose project takes the name Four Walls for All which as you envisioned is being able to provide a shelter for the persons on the street/without a home along with their other needs; food, clothing, love, affection and education. This project was not chosen or given to her, but it stemmed from her heart; a heart that hopes to revive humanity and advocate for the most underrepresented group of persons; in this case—the homeless. Eager to give back, she thought of those who are actually without and ways in which she can help. She uses this pageant to satisfy her deepest desire, which is making a difference in our beautiful country. Her project was launched on June 12, 2019, and currently facilitates an active feeding program where she helps over 30 persons each session. The general conceptualisation is that the homeless or persons on the street are drug addicts/ alcoholics. However, over the months working with these persons, she realised that they are just people who had really unfortunate events that they were never able to recover from. Currently, she also has a passion for sharing my knowledge and I found that purpose being fulfilled in my Sunday School. She is a teacher to 15 children where she not only teaches religion but life skills. Her advice to persons with similar challenges and stories is to, “not carry their mountains but instead climb them. Your
Miss World Guyana representative, Ronecca Arjune.
mountains are your problems, your situations, your hindrances. Do not carry these, it will only weigh you down. Look at them in front of you, and climb right over it. You cannot climb with weight on your back. Whatever you feel is holding you back, lose it.” This beauty with a brain will be pursuing her medical studies in China after which she hopes to dedicate other services to humanity, travel the world and aid medical assistance to those who need it. Ronecca is a current participant in the MWG pageant which is expected to be held in 2020 and uses the hashtag #Roneccaforthecrown to help promote her platform. The pageants she participates in are not just competitions for her, she uses her platforms alongside her intellectual skills to help those who are in need.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Google reportedly fined over children’s privacy on YouTube
The FTC settlement is expected to cost Google millions, a report says. Google has reportedly reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission over alleged violations of children’s data privacy laws on YouTube. The settlement comes after an FTC investigation over whether the tech giant sufficiently protected the data of children using the platform, according to a Friday report from The Washington Post citing two people familiar with the matter. In June, it was reported that Google could face fines from a late-stage investigation by the federal government into YouTube’s handling of children’s videos. That report came the same day that YouTube said it was considering significant changes to protect its youngest content creators and viewers. This could include
moving all children’s content to the YouTube Kids app. According to the Post, the investigation found Google improperly collected children’s data, a breach of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. However, the Department of Justice has yet to sign off on the details of the fine. Google declined to comment, while the FTC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Last month, US Sen. Ed Markey sent a letter to the FTC expressing concerns
over YouTube’s kids’ content practices, asking the commission to “hold YouTube accountable for any illegal activity affecting children that the company may have committed.” “Personal information about a child can be leveraged to hook consumers for years to come,” Markey wrote in the letter. “It is incumbent upon the FTC to enforce federal law and act as a check against the ever-increasing appetite for children’s data.” At the same time, the Center for Digital Democracy and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood also sent a letter to the FTC suggesting penalties for the video streaming giant. They recommended all children’s data be deleted, civil penalties, plus “a $100 million fund to be used to support the production of noncommercial, high-quality and diverse content for children.”
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Huawei’s new OS is for industrial use, not Android replacement SEEMS Hongmeng isn’t the Android replacement it’s been pitched as, after all. The initial story certainly tracked, as Huawei has been preparing for the very real possibility of life after Google, but the Chinese hardware giant says the operating system is primarily focused on industrial use. The latest report arrives courtesy of Chinese state news agency, Xinhua, which notes that the OS has been in development for far longer than the Trump-led Huawei ban has been in effect. Hongmeng is a relatively simple operating system compared to the likes of Android, according to SVP Catherine Chen. The news echoes another recent report that Huawei had initially developed the software for use on IoT devices. None of this means that Huawei isn’t working on a full mobile operating system, of course. Or that the seeds of this new OS couldn’t be adapted to do more. And given the recent news, such a move would be a pretty good use of the company’s vast resources. After all, it’s no doubt seen the writing on the wall for some time. While no one anticipated that such a ban would arrive so suddenly, questions about the company have been floated in security circles for years
now. New restrictions from the Trump administration barred Huawei from working with American companies like Google, but temporary reprieves have allowed the smartphone maker to employ Android services — at least temporarily. Questions about the company’s health are still very much up in the air, however, as the ban ramps back up.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Local journalist pays it forward to Amelia’s Ward Primary School REFLECTING on the building blocks of his success, well-known Sports Journalist and media personality Rawle Toney has decided to pay it forward to his alma mater, the Amelia’s Ward Primary School. This year, following the announcement of the results for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Toney decided to start up the Jarrell Toney Grant for top-performing
pupils of the school. The grant is for pupils of the Linden school to help in their journey towards higher education. It is being offered to the overall top-performing student and the top-performing students in the area of sport. “It’s my old primary school and most of the memories I have from my school days I’ve had there and that school has had a last-
Rawle Toney with the first recipient of the Jarrell Toney Grant, Ashanti Balgobin, who copped a place at The Bishop’s High School
ing impact on my life,” Toney said. Reflecting on his young boy days, he shared that the community was a closely knitted one, whereby the teachers were more than just people who taught you in school. In fact, according to him, “these teachers… played a very important role in who I am right now because of the care and interest they have shown throughout my life.” This year, Toney is also celebrating 15 years of working in the media. His media journey started right in Linden, in 2004, and the community was very supportive of his endeavours and as such, he felt it was an opportune time to pay it forward. The first recipient of the Jarrell Toney grant was Ashanti Balgobin, who scored 514 marks and earned a spot at The Bishop’s High School. She received the grant from Toney, along with a school bag, compliments of social media personality ‘Melly Mel’. DJ Akelo, also a former student of Amelia’s Primary, joined hands with Toney to sponsor trophies and uniform vouchers for the two Grade Six students who excelled in the area of sports. Persons, who also attended the primary school and even some who didn’t but were feeling a bit magnanimous, also reached out to Toney, so that moving forward, even more could be done for the school. “What also pushed me to do more for
the school directly was that even though I haven’t been in the compound for a number of years, I drove by recently and everything still looks the same way as when I attended years upon years ago,” Toney said, stressing, “That should not be.” Moving forward, Toney and his group of supporters will be helping to boost the aesthetics of the school by rebuilding the playground and providing support to the student-athletes with some sports gear and funding. “It is not a grant where the money will just be spent on books and uniforms, but it is to help the school as well,” he explained. “It’s my little pet project, and I promise that I will try to continue it probably for as long as I have life.” Importantly, he hopes that this grant could be continued even after him and this is one reason why it was named after his son, Jarrell. Toney said that he has worked to ensure that his son has everything he needs, but that he also wants him to understand that there is much more to life. “Naming it in his honour is part of teaching him humility; that life is more than just receiving. It is also about helping those who are not as fortunate as you are and it is also about looking back to the place from where you had a foundation and helped you along your journey of success,” the elder Toney reasoned.
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FILES E S A C COURT
GRA’s billion-dollar demand on DDL as Consumption tax goes
By George Barclay
Appellate Court affirms High Court ruling IN February 2005, writs of Certiorari and Prohibition issued by Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes, quashed a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) demand on Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) to pay GRA $1, 072, 959, 861, as consumption tax. Following the ruling of the High Court judge, quashing the over one billion dollars Consumption Tax imposed on DDL, the GRA appealed the ruling. The appeal was dismissed by the Guyana Court of Appeal, constituted by Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Carl Singh; Chief Justice (Ag.), Mr Ian Chang, S.C.; and Justice William Ramlal. Mr Ashton Chase, S.C., represented the appellant, while Mr Rex Mc Kay, SC, appeared for the respondent, DDL. The facts of the case disclosed that the respondent, Demerara Distillers Ltd, was a registered manufacturer of alcoholic products for local consumption in Guyana, which attracted consumption tax under a Consumption Tax Order made under Section 4 of the Consumption Tax Act. Upon application of the respondents , the court issued a writ of certiorari against the appellant, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), quashing the decision of the GRA to assess and demand from the respondent payment of (a sum over $ 1 billion dollars ) as consumption tax for manufactured alcoholic products for the period January 2001 – September 2002 on the grounds that the said assessment was erroneously computed and not assessed in accordance with the provision of the Consumption Tax Act, Chapter 80:02 and was therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, arbitrary, unreasonable, made in bad faith , without or in excess of jurisdiction, is ultra vires, null, void and of no legal effect. The writ of prohibition prohibited the GRA from proceeding with the assessment and recovery of the sum on the said grounds. The GRA appealed on several grounds, in particular, the interpretation or construction of Section 3 of the Consumption Tax Act. The respondents cross-appealed , contending that statements made by His Excellency the President of Guyana to the Guyana Manufacturers Association on 14th September, 2001, concerning the basis for the computation of consumption tax for the manufacturers of chargeable goods created a legitimate expectation in the respondent. The government had decided that the value for consumption tax purposes on chargeable goods manufactured locally would be calculated on the basis of the ex- factory price, plus a 15 per cent mark-up. Section 3 of the Consumption Tax Act provided that: ‘(1) there shall be raised, levied and
collected at such rate as the minister may determine… a consumption tax in respect of any chargeable goods imported into Guyana or manufactured therein… (2) The tax … shall be due and collected in relation to … (b) chargeable goods manufactured in Guyana at the time of delivery of the goods from the premises of the registered manufacturer or the appropriation of such goods for consumption in Guyana, whichever is the earlier. (3) Where tax is chargeable on any goods by reference to their value, that value shall: (b) If the goods are manufactured in Guyana, be the price which in the opinion of the comptroller the goods would fetch on a sale made at the time when the tax in respect of such goods becomes due by a manufacturer selling on the open market in Guyana, if the sale were made in the circumstances specified in the schedule. The Guyana Court of Appeal in its judgment held: Section 3 (2) (b) of the Consumption Tax Act focused not on the place at which there was appropriation or delivery, but the time when there was appropriation or delivery. It followed that appropriation or delivery commenced for those purposes when the first item of alcoholic product was set aside or apart or delivered for local consumption. What was of materiality was when or during which time the products were appropriated or delivered for local consumption, since it was that period of time which had statutory relevance to the determination by the comptroller of the open-market price of the products 3 (3) (b). According to the judgment, Parliament had identified a single authority, the comptroller, to determine the notional price in a notional sale. That notional price became the actual value on which the consumption tax was chargeable. The function of determining the notional open-market selling price of the product was not that of the company, but of the comptroller under section 3 (3) (b). The comptroller had to engage not in mere speculative guesswork, but in a computation exercise in whch the circumstances mentioned in the schedule (including the commission and sales costs and expenses), were to be assumed. Such computation had of necessity to involve not only the cost of production, but any other post-production costs incurred by the manufacturers right up to the process of appropriation or delivery (inclusive of appropriation or delivery costs ) and a profit margin which would allow for the marketability of the product in the open market. Accordingly, the appeal by the GRA was dismissed.
. The writ of certiorari quashed the decision of the Guyana Revenue Authority : to assess and demand from the applicant payment of the sum of one billion, seventy two million, nine hundred and eighty nine thousand eight hundred and fifty one dollars as consumption tax for manufactured alcohol products for the period January 2001 to September, 2002, on the grounds that the said assessment was erroneously computed and not assessed in accordance with the provision of the Consumption Tax Act, Chapter 80: 02 is unconstitutional, unlawful, arbitrary, unreasonable, made in bad faith, without or in excess of jurisdiction, is ulra vires, and void and of no legal effect.’ The Writ of prohibition prohibited the said Guyana Revenue Authority from proceeding with the said assessment and recovery of the said sum on the said grounds. On March 2, 2005, The Guyana Revenue Authority filed a Notice of appeal to the Guyana Court of Appeal against the decision of Barnes J. Several grounds of appeal were set out in the Notice of Appeal and advanced before the court. In his judgment, the chief justice had said, however, since it appears to me that the crux of the matter related to the inter-
pretation or construction of Section 3 of the Consumption Tax Act, Chapter 89: 02, I will confine my judgment essentially to the ground of appeal which relates to the interpretation or construction of Section 3 ( ie ground VII). According to Acting Chief Justice Chang, Ground 7 of the appellant’s grounds of appeal reads:- “The learned trial judge erred in the construction and interpretation of Section 3 of the Consumption Tax Act.” Chang said that Section 3 of the Consumption Tax act provides: (i) Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Act and any regulations made thereunder, there shall be raised and collected at such rate as the minister may determine by order made under Section 4, a consumption tax in respect of any chargeable goods imported into Guyana or manufactured therein, except chargeable goods imported or acquired as material for, and used as such by a registered manufacturer. Chargeable goods, the chief justice said, is defined in Section 2 of the Act as meaning such goods as may be specified in an order made by the minister under Section 4. The appeal ended in a victory for the respondent.
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ocus F on the Village
Laluni
A community budding with potential
Zita Daniels, the village leader
The entrance to Laluni (Samuel Maughn photos)
By Michel Outridge MORE than 40 years ago, Zita Daniels and her entire family left their village of Moruca in search of a better life and settled in Laluni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, as tobacco planters. Today, Daniels is serving as the village leader for the Laluni Village Office and is still a farmer, whose entire family resides in the community. She plants cherries, sorrel and coconuts, which are sold outside the village. The 66-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that there is a need for more development in the community, but as part of the Village Office, they try to work with villagers through selfhelp to get things done. Work of the Village Council Daniels pointed out that the Village Council has an executive body of six members and they do their utmost to develop the community. She stated that they aim to become self-reliant and they even go into their own pockets to do things when funding dries up. Daniels added that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs assists the Village Council annually with a grant of $1 million, which is used to upgrade the community.
She explained that money was used to complete the Multi-Purpose Building, upgrade the playfield and re-commission the old well which was built by Food For The Poor and was defunct. Daniels stated that the well is operational and was outfitted with a trestle and six black tanks for storing water. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that they, however, got a presidential grant of $5 million and bought a minibus, which is used to transport schoolchildren and residents. Daniels added that part of the money was also used to purchase pipelines for 18 houses where they can access potable water supply from the well, but that project is on hold because of the lack of funds. She noted that they will pool their resources and buy PVC paste to set up the system soon. NEEDS But as with every community in the process of development, Daniels noted that there are some improvements that the residents wish to see. “In this community, there is a lot of things we need. The first thing is our road, and it wasn’t properly done about
three years ago. We have children going to school and have to travel every day as far as Diamond, Soesdyke, and Dora Secondary Schools. It is very costly for those who don’t have farms and have to work with others. Many children dropped out of school after going for about two to three years because they cannot afford it,” Daniels said.
She pointed out that although they have a Multi-Purpose Building, they don’t have the people with the skills to engage youths, especially those who drop out of school, in life skills training. Daniels added that the Multi-Purpose Building is located about an hour’s walk from her home where they have computers. “I do farming with my brothers and it is in the entire Number Four Laluni area and when it rains, our crops are underwater, since there is no proper drainage system here. Another problem we can’t seem to get rid of is the acushi ants, which tear down and destroy our cherries, sorrel and other plants. We have tried different chemicals to get rid
Laluni Primary School
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of it [sic] but to date, we were not successful and we need professional help at least from the people at the agriculture department,” Daniels said. Life in Laluni, she stated, is not easy but she has adapted to the way of life since she
left her home village of Moruca and came to Moblissa as a farmer; when the tobacco company Demerara Tobacco Co. Ltd. (Demtoco) closed its operations in Laluni, they settled there. She related that Demtoco closed its operations in Laluni in the 1970s and they had to resort to farming.
The Laluni Multi-Purpose Building and Village Office
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Even though land is abundant in Laluni, residents don’t have land titles, but the land was sectioned off into four parts and people live and plant there. Daniels told the Pepperpot Magazine that she and the Village Chairman Aaron De Freitas had approached Minister Dawn
Hastings-Williams and she promised to assist in that regard. She stated that apart from farming, she rears ducks which are plucked and sold to regular buyers and since there is no storage for meat, they eat fresh duck meat daily.
The well and trestle in Laluni
A farmer’s way of life in Laluni By Michel Outridge JAIRAM Balgobin is a resident of Laluni and, like most of the residents, leads the simple but challenging life of a farmer. However, he has a ready-made market for his cherries which go to Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL) Topco Juice Plant at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, to be processed to make fresh local juice. He, like others in the community, are the main suppliers of cherries and during the wet season, the fruit is bountiful. It is hand-picked and placed in many five-gallon plastic buckets and transported from the village to DDL. Balgobin told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been living in Laluni for the past 25 years and his life is busy, because he undertakes many jobs to provide for his family of five children and a wife. He has a lot to do in terms of maintaining his farm of cherries, guava, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, peppers and coconuts. Apart from being a farmer, Balgobin is a part-time truck driver who transports lumber and is a handyman as well. Balgobin added that as a young child, he used to go to school in Laluni. He got married and has a family and is pleased that he is living in that community where it is peaceful and very quiet. “Me like life here, my family is with me and that is what life is all about - making your children happy and comfortable. We
Jairam Balgobin displaying cherries picked from his farm
work and live peacefully and that’s the way to a good life. My daughter does teach at the school in this village and the younger ones are all going to school,” he said. He related that farming is not all about the money, because it is back-breaking work with sometimes little reward, since nothing is cer-
tain when it comes to crops and the weather. “De lil cash I get when I sell my produce isn’t much at times depending on the price at the market, but you got to continue whether you make a profit or not. I does plant in the savannahs as well, so I have to tend to crops in my yard, plus go there too and it is a lot of
hard labour,” Balgobin said. He told the Pepperpot Magazine that they incur quite a lot of losses too, because they have to purchase cow dung which they use as fertiliser for their crops. Balgobin stated that since the road was constructed it is good, because people were coming into the village and it is development for them; but now that the road is in a bad condition, getting in and out of the village is a task in itself. All in all, the farmer said that they are working with what they have, since fighting and fretting get you nowhere. He was, however, thankful for the assistance from the government, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Food For The Poor. Balgobin explained that with their inputs they have had development in Laluni and a lot was done to enhance the lives of villagers, who will soon benefit from potable water supply from their own well. This farmer is a fun-loving guy, who, apart from providing for his family, has some pets including parrots, a turtle, a dog and turkeys, one of which Balgobin says acts as the “yard bully,” even to the children. “This turkey is a boss, he feels he must be out front and patrol the yard and he does beat up the dog and the children when they get in his way,” Balgobin said. But overall the farmer attests that he is content and that life in Laluni is a good one. The makeshift pipeline system in Laluni (Samuel Maughn photos)
The “yard bully”, the pet turkey
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Agnes Dundas lives a humble life
Laluni resident, Agnes Dundas, poses for a photo as she hangs out her laundry (Samuel Maughn photos)
By Wendella Davidson THIRTY-SEVEN years ago, Agnes Dundas and her reputed husband Joseph Domingo relocated from St Cuthbert’s Mission to the farming community of Laluni, located about half an hour by road aback of Kuru Kururu, a community also on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The lure, then, was the availability of work with the once-thriving settlement that was then controlled by the Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO). While some farmers planted tobacco, some like herself and husband, worked for the company, Dundas said. The pay was attractive, and my husband and they were able to settle on a portion of these vast backlands, on which we built a humble abode and where we still live. But after Demtoco left in 1994, they were forced to eke out other sources of income for a livelihood; in addition, to do some farming, planting cash crops such a cherries, sorrel, cassava and other ground provisions on a small scale. By then, too, the family size began to expand, said the woman, adding that she gave birth to 12 children--six boys and six girls, two of whom are now deceased. “I started doing lil domestic work for people in the community and outside and then people start tell others who want somebody to work about me, so that is how I does get a steady work now,” she said. “I does try my best whenever I go to work for people, because I know if I work good, people to continue to call me to work for them.” She added though, that due to the distance the community is located from the public road, and the deplorable state of most of the inland roadway, she is forced to pay $1,000 daily from whatever she earns for transportation. She noted that although life is tough, having lived there for all those years, she and her husband have no plans to go anywhere else. “We done put we roots here, I have nowhere else to live, my children done big,” she added with a smile.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
THE MYTHS THAT OPPOSE COPYRIGHT LAWS IN GUYANA If accepted, they will continue to bind us to poverty
THE legal resurrection of our antiquated copyright laws, so opposed by our Opposition with a barrage of apocalyptical propaganda directed at this liberating legislation, especially for the talented in their thousands, must now be addressed condignly. The challenge is to educate ourselves so we can educate others to whom this legal process is not clarified, but are relevant to, who can easily become victims of myths that if accepted will continue to enslave them and us to poverty; never realising our gifted potential and the legal right to inherit the fruits of our works, always servants to the political and their merchant sycophants continuously. From the opposition, there is the label of copyright as a bourgeois process, rather than a protection from the relentless exploitation of our hard work by a lazy and dishonest clique who lack the will to create, develop and tirelessly mature ideas and products that should reward the creator favourably. Instead, they hide their true temerity for insincerity behind the mantras of dead communism as practised rather than it was preached; practised in its true self as the abominable state of hopeless exploitation. We must turn to history for references, in the advent of Communism. As a proposed theory for mass liberation, it was a progressive light under the yoke of monarchies supported by generations of exploited peasants, serfs and slaves. In fact, the first revolution for the rights of man emerged with the French revolution, only to be betrayed by the court ritual mesmerised by Napoleon. Orthodox Russia followed in 1917
and Communism became the anti-colonial Knight post-WWII. Hitler had brought the condensed bigotry of the west to a climax. Both Russia and China abandoned their previous history and the concept of the human spirit, to create their new Communist states, but soon enough George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ was fulfilled, human rights including copyright, were rejected by communism, thus this little history becomes relevant, and Communist leaders became leaders for life. Their creative talents fled. Musicians, artists, writers, philosophers, entire ballet groups defected. Today, no communist country is a cultural centre the way Jamaica is. Guyana has the talents and potential, but it remains strangled. Putin is the epitome of the Russian Tsar, reputed to be one of the richest men on earth but owns no business. We have seen how that happened here with his political mimic men, great at public scheming towards self-enrichment, but low on holistic initiatives, using the close of office Oil Blocks sale scandal as The swindle heaped upon the minds of Guyanese is that we should think ourselves lucky that we have cheap pirated goods that breakup quickly; rip-offs of everything familiar, including medications. And they argue that this dangerous exploitation and money laundering scheme must continue because copyright is going to make everything too expensive. It’s foolish because we can always purchase quality medications and items from countries in the Commonwealth and South America that offer such items. The crux of the matter is that many in the established business community organisations think that it is in their best interests to
keep the potential of the small, cottage and cultural industries contained, allowing their own expansion to go unchallenged. We need copyright protection to be able to attract collaborations that will enhance our talented businesses. Like our leatherwork producers who need resources to make their products competitive across markets that exist beyond Guyana that will migrate here, as long as we remain envisioned as mere vender retail bazaar type businesses, our cosmetic and gold jewellery designers remain fettered to isolation because of parasitical predators next door, without any protection. Copyright will encourage enough Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) allowing us, where it’s now impossible, to attract collaborations between cultural industries and corporate entities in areas that talents exist. The attitude to not widen ignored new niche areas is simply because there are no endorsed colonial templates inherited. Yes, comfort zone thinking prohibits development. FDI will not come to any country that is not protected by copyright protection and enforcement. Both of the anti-copyright former communist giants, Russia and China have signed on to one or the other of the copyright laws and have evolved in these areas, but with their vast populations and military might they are still not major trademark holders and still not equivalent to their population in their cultural presence worldwide, though they are tediously developing IT and AI capacity, for competitive purposes with the west that cannot be explored in this article. Comfort Zones are usually barren places, the purgatory of they who have surrendered
their minds, anchor their consciousness into the manufactured hopelessness distributed to them by modern economic slave masters. Once you listen but fail to explore for yourself, then you are bound to self defeatism and encouraged to be a permanent cry baby, about “who ain’t doing fuh yuh and who sorry fuh yuh”. “They don’t have copyright messengers” are always people who have no particular talents but abundant glib, flaunt a ready smile and have secret investments that pirate and underpay talented people. Recently, I spoke to a young singer and songwriter who told me a bizarre story about his dealings with a West Ruimveldt music management act. I moved out of that area some 30 years ago. I don’t know of these folks. The last thing I remember him telling me is that he was coerced to sign his royalties over to this female. I told him that was insane, royalty is exclusively yours, but how else would he know? Funds that are channelled for arts development by institutions including external banks are placed in the custodianship of cliques who know nothing nor careless about the arts. It’s like throwing water on duck back. There is no programme developed by the state business or cultural authorities, they just don’t have the kind of people to intercede with the specialist information or experience necessary to teach the protective business awareness necessary to enhance the lives of creative people who don’t know, though there are a small legal group of people, fact is, I only know of one in legal affairs who is aware, but underused in this area. Turn to page XXI►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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Missing teeth
ALTHOUGH not as severe as the potential facial changes caused by loss of all teeth, losing a few teeth also produces a sunken facial look and the appearance of a smile with a few missing teeth is considered unacceptable by most people. In fact, in most societies, people who present an appearance with missing teeth are considered uneducated and poor. A high percentage of people lose their natural teeth during their lifetime because of accidents, tooth decay, gum and bone disease, or other reasons. Although there are numerous solutions for replacing several teeth, dental implants are an excellent alternative although they are relatively expensive. With missing teeth, even if the person is not aware of it, there is a collapse of facial form. When a few teeth are removed there is bone shrinkage in which the supporting bone diminishes from then on, leaving a defect in contour in that area. This results in reducing eating efficiency and is directly related to the number of teeth lost. After removal of many teeth, chewing efficiency is reduced significantly, but the removal of one or a few teeth does not seem to cause a major loss of chewing effectiveness. The appearance of the smile is the negative characteristics caused by the removal of a few teeth. However, if for whatever reason you have had numerous teeth removed or otherwise lost, you have other alternatives which include Traditional Fixed Partial Denture (Bridge) which essentially attaches to the contiguous teeth remaining in the mouth. You cannot remove this type prosthesis. Then there is the traditional removable partial denture which rests on but does not attach to, the remaining teeth in the mouth. You can remove this prosthesis at will for cleaning. It is simply called a removable denture and is the cheapest and therefore most common means of replacing lost teeth. A more advanced variation to this type of prostheses involves mini-implants which is the ultimate solution for loose dentures. Then there is a more sophisticated and expensive partial denture. These involve implants which are a removable partial denture that rests on and is retained by, implants and the ◄◄◄ From page XX
One of the frivolous arguments in the campaign against copyright is that it will affect the less than a hundred pirate music carts and music places about Georgetown, causing loss of employment. It’s stupid and directed at idiots. I travel mostly by minibus and many of them today use flash drives and smartphones to provide music. Where the loss of employment will occur is if the creative areas are not empowered, they will migrate. It is estimated that in the next 15-20 years Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems will affect some 40 percent of global employment. The Arts are somewhat exempt from these systems. In the same way that the last government and its union were aware that a decisive decline was evident for Sugar, received a subvention and they adopted a set of retarded mechanisms like the implementation of the 16 percent VAT to subsidise rather than liberate its dependents through proactive methods. Likewise in the area of Cultural Industries (CI) and copyright legislation a similar challenge rests. With global changes determining what is inevitable, only with this national campaign, positive CI development will only come from the APNU-Coalition. The attitude of the opposition is that the Arts are not composed and neither can they be controlled as their constituency. November 5, 2018 a Forum outline on the literary arts (that enveloped all Arts) was organised and conducted by academics, Cultural Industry practitioners, government representatives and powerful friendly International Organisations at the Theatre Guild, with the positive lean of a petition to parliament for a one percent of Oil revenues for the development of the Arts and related Industries to be managed by suitable personnel. Guyana will not remain the cultural laughing stock of the Caribbean, we must ensure that. Aluta Continua.
remaining natural teeth. You can remove this prosthesis at will for cleaning. These dentures stay in the mouth more firmly, appear more natural ( there are no wire clasps) and are usually removed less often than the regular removable dentures. Finally, there are fixed partial dentures that are attached to implants alone or the remaining teeth. You cannot remove this prosthesis. They are referred to as bridges. If you elect to do nothing to correct the problem of losing one or more teeth, your remaining natural teeth will continue to move, and your bite will usually collapse and degenerate further. This is not a good alternative in most cases for more than a short time. Two situations exist after the removal of one tooth. An unsightly appearance is created when a front tooth is removed. When a back tooth is removed, the cosmetic appearance is not observed, and patients may not be motivated to have an examination of the affected area until certain changes have occurred. First, the movement of surrounding teeth and collapse of bite occur rapidly. Often, within weeks, the surrounding and oppos-
ing teeth start to collapse toward the space that was created by the tooth removal, making an acceptable replacement difficult. The contacting areas of teeth near the space may open, and food may become impacted between the teeth. Consequently, if you have one or more missing teeth, you have the following alternatives: 1. Traditional Fixed Bridge. A traditional fixed bridge attaches to the teeth adjacent to the space. You cannot remove this prosthesis. 2. Removable Partial Denture. A removable partial denture fills the missing teeth space and allows an improved appearance and nearly normal function. There are also total dentures (whereby the person has no natural teeth on the jaw). This can be stabilised with mini implants, with the dentures being removable. 3. Implant followed by Crown (cap). Place an implant, allow healing, and place a crown over the implant head, thereby creating near-optimal function and appearance. You cannot remove these crowns.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
FOCUSING ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD IN Western Societies, until very recently, children were regarded as small adults and no different from adults except for their age, size and level of experience. This accounted for small children during the Industrial Revolution in England being sent to work in the coal mines or as chimney sweepers where, from their size, they would be able to go up the chimney. It was also a norm for them to be involved in agricultural work and we are reminded of this in the Nursery Rhymes where Little Bo-peep had to tend the sheep and ensure that they return home from pasture or Little Boy Blue had the task of blowing his horn to control the sheep and prevent the cows from invading the wheat field. Unlike today when children are dressed differently from adults, the assumption that children were small adults
was reflected in their being dressed as adults. This contrasts with many ancient cultures and civilisations where children and teenagers were accepted as different from adults. In Hindu Society, for example, by the Laws of Manu, the human lifespan was divided into four segments: The first quarter covered the time when the child was to be educated and as a young teenager to learn the skills of livelihood. (Bhramchari); the second quarter is when the Brahmachari moves into adulthood, is married, raises a family, builds a home and is creatively engaged in the work of the world (Gharhastya); the third quarter prescribes that the householder does public service and begins to devote more time to God (Vanaprashta); and the last segment is when one disengages from money-making and other material pulls, prepares for death and becomes
more subsumed with God and religion (Sanyasa). These four segments of life are not mutually exclusive but could run into each other at several points. Towards the end of the 19th century, Western Society fully grasped that children were different from adults and had their own needs and sensitivities, suffered deep pain from insensitive treatment by adults, and had to be treated differently and specially protected. With the vision, intellectual depth, efficiency and speed for which Western Man is known, Western societies have set up various institutions, legal frameworks, researches and teaching programmes such as ‘Child Psychology’ and creative media projections promoting the Rights of the Child. This is also reflected in International organisations such as UNICEF. Guyana has been doing its part in energetically protecting the Rights of the Child by several activities such as the training programmes conducted by the Adult Education Association (AEA), wherein June last, the Childcare Management class successfully graduated several Childcare practitioners. Ms Anne Green, the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency spoke on the occasion and reported that her Agency had received reports of 1277 cases of violations of the Rights of the Child in the first quarter of 2019 - 576 cases of neglect; 334 cases of abuse; and 268 cases of physical abuse. She reminded that the caring of children required affection, concern, time, energy, patience, observation and commitment. Her Agency operated within the ambit of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Guyana has subscribed. That Convention outlines 42 Rights and among these are the Right to Survival; the Right to develop to the fullest; the Right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life; and the Right to be protected from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation. Ms Sylvie Fouet, Head of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has been always supportive of all local activities for the protection of the Rights of the Child and on the occasion of the AEA graduation, on behalf of UNICEF donated approximately $3.9 millions worth of equipment and supplies including computers, cameras, tripods, televisions, chairs and desks to be used by the Child Advocacy Centres in Regions one, four and seven. Some months earlier, in April, a specific Child Labour Policy was launched addressing such abuses as trafficking in children for sexual exploitation and forced labour in dangerous abusive circumstances. Ms Fouet gave a background of the genesis and development of the Child Labour Policy. She pointed out that Guyana was a leader among CARICOM countries in respect of Child Labour Policy and that the Policy was the result of a three-year effort by various stakeholders, both locally and internationally. “We have been pleased”, she said, “to support the journey. In 2017 we began by reviewing the Law together. Then last year and this year elaborating the Policy and also drafting an Action Plan that will operationalise the Policy and supporting key interventions”. UNICEF and the Ministry of Education also have been working together to provide school spaces and even meals for the thousands of refugee children from Venezuela. In this programme of assistance, bilingual teachers have to be trained since most of the Venezuelan children know no English. Ms Claudia Coenjaerts, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) representative said that the Policy provides a coherent framework on the way forward in tackling child labour issues in Guyana and that its implementation is very important. As part of a collaborative effort, a child labour risk identification model in the country would be piloted. The model is a statistical tool which uses national data to identify levels of risk for child labour in specific geographical areas to make it easier to identify where prevention and operationaliation of active measures would be more important. The State’s efforts in enforcing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Child Labour Policy are important and necessary measures in furthering the protection of children and ensuring that their childhood is not taken away from them. But it is also necessary to bring parents and guardians onboard since if they know of their roles and know of their importance in protecting their children, this would go a far way towards solving the problems of neglect and abuse and ensure the protection of the child’s rights. This would entail constant and methodical education of parents as to their roles.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
Kevin Garbaran’s ‘The Ol’ Higue on Market Street’ KEVIN Garbaran, one of the few Guyanese writers to be shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize has had his shortlisted story, “The Ol’ Higue on Market Street” published in the Stabroek News’ new literary arts column. The fact that the newspaper outlet has offered up precious space in their Sunday editions through this new initiative called ‘The Writers’ Room’ is a move that finally recognises local writing as being worthy of dissemination to the reading public, and I know that writers are excited about the possibility for exposure that this offers. The Stabroek News needs to be specially commended for providing a space for publication for local writers – something which the entire Department of Culture itself has failed to provide for writers in recent years. The value of the kind of space that ‘The Writers’ Room’ provides became more pronounced when I reread Garbaran’s story which was the first one published under the new column. I had read the story before, but the column allowed me the chance to read it again, which is all that was required for me to be able to appreciate it in a new light by recognising some aspects of its literary strength that I had missed the first time around and that Guyanese folklore in Guyanese fiction, written by a Guyanese writer, being published in a Guyanese newspaper, was such a rarity and was indeed a cause for celebration – not only of good local writing, but also of people who are willing to invest in local writers and grant them the necessary opportunities, even if that opportunity is one that grants them an audience. Now, on to the story. “The Ol’ Higue on Market Street” tells the story of a young girl named Devika who lives on the Essequibo coast and enjoys telling jumbie stories to her friends in school. The descriptions of Devika’s experiences in school, as well as the dynamics of her family life, which includes her mandir-going mother and gossipy aunt (Cha Chee), as well as her abusive, alcoholic father, all set along a village that is close to the seawall, is very evocative of life in the Guyanese countryside. The descriptions are filled with nostalgia, imparting a sense of a world that is both familiar and fading away. The author’s description of a night with blackout, for example, is vivid and beautiful: “No lights, no electric fans, no running water. Just the silky moonlight reflecting off the branches of the coconut palm, a sky full of dancing stars, the smell of mosquito coils burning in the air, and the sounds of mosquitos singing in your ears even though you have two mosquito coils burning. Many a Jumbie story had been told on nights like these.” Garbaran writes his dialogue in a version of Guyanese Creole, which imparts the realism of the story by imparting the nuances of real speech that people in Guyana use. The Creole is also a welcome addition to the oeuvre of work by local writers, particularly because it emerges amid many pieces of writing by other writers where Standard English is the norm, even when Guyanese characters are speaking. Creole also accentuates the humour in the story. Even though the tale contains several dark elements, several other elements work in a comedic or melodramatic way, transforming the story from being merely folk-horror or tragedy into something unique that blends the tragic and the comic. The character of Cha Chee, for example, is a staple of the Guyanese countryside experience. Her description of another character in the story is one of the funniest things I have ever read by a local writer: “Boy that is true. Old Lady Pearl look like she dead since Jagan was president but like she don’t want to give up she spirit.” Further, as a work of fiction, “The Ol’ Higue on Market Street” conveys several strengths of literature. Firstly, it tells an engaging story that keeps the reader interested, not only because of the familiarity of its Guyanese-ness, but also because it is a tense, well-written tale that plays on our fear of the supernatural while also functioning as a mirror that is held up to the reader and reflects the society in which we live. The othering of people who are old or odd is a technique that has been used for centuries to lay blame at the feet of scapegoats while allowing humans to escape the self-scrutiny that their fears and mistakes require. Furthermore, subtly, the story is pretty much about abuse and inherited trauma, as well as the
secrecy and taboo that is associated with abuse in the home. It is implied that the characters blame their bruises on the ol’ higue rather than dealing with the truth of an abusive father within the household. It is a stark reminder of the scourge of abuse, a disease that continues to plague the entire country even to this day. Garbaran being shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the Stabroek News’ publication of local work
are two of the most significant events that have emerged in the Guyanese literary landscape this year. I eagerly await the future editions of ‘The Writers’ Room,’ where I am sure the best in Guyanese literature will continue to be represented. Writers who are interested in having their work published in the Stabroek News’ ‘The Writers’ Room,’ can submit their work or email for more details at: writersroom@stabroeknews.com.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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Improving the education system THESE past few weeks, ever since the results of this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were announced, I’ve been hypersensitive to discussions made about improving the education system and I think that these are discussions that should never stop. The Director of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Justin Ram posited that much like what is being initiated in Barbados, Guyana should eradicate its NGSA because it puts such a strain on young children. Furthermore, he said that all schools should be brought up to such a high standard that it doesn’t matter what school a child is streamed into, a quality education that prepares them for life will be garnered. I’m no expert in the education field, but I agreed with Dr. Ram because I see the merits in doing this and it started to be something that I want to see happen and happen soon. But listening to those very discussions I mentioned, it became clear to me that this could not be something that Guyana could achieve very soon. It required that the entire education system be improved to respond to a changing global economy. And getting education right means that it is also imperative to ensure that all levels possess a high standard. Tertiary education, in this evolving 21st century, is a must. I remember reading an advertisement in the newspaper a few weeks back that surprised me. Jaguar Oilfield Services in Guyana had a vacancy for a salesperson, and the academic requirement was the possession of a Bachelor’s Degree. This just goes to show that this is direction Guyana is heading
towards, and we have to start equipping people with the skills that will be demanded. This dearth of skills in the country must be supplemented and that can only come if the education system is made better-- for everyone. By no means does improving the system exclude the bolstering of Technical and Vocational skills and the ‘trade schools’. For me, improving the education system here is more than surmounting systemic challenges, but also overcoming ingrained stereotypes. Again, what the preparation for ‘first oil’ has shown us that the country lacks an equipped and certified population, vis a vis technical skills, that could easily be integrated into the petroleum industry as is. Instead, we are at a stage where we are largely dependent on knowledge being transferred as the sector is further developed. Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (CTVET),
Floyd Scott related earlier this year that there are 250 skills in Occupational Health and Safety standards in the Caribbean. Across the TVET institutions in Guyana, however, only 17 occupational skills are being taught. Resultantly, if the need for any of those 233 skills arises, Guyana will have to rely on the expertise of foreigners to fill those gaps. Exacerbating this, are those ingrained stereotypes. Why is it that trade schools are considered the schools for dropouts? Why are trade skills- be it nail artistry, carpentry, mechanics or masonry- looked down as the areas of study for persons who cannot excel in the traditional educational system? Fortunately, I know personally of efforts being made right now to diminish those stereotypes and encourage more persons to engage in these areas. And importantly, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the University of Guyana, have begun building
capacity for the petroleum sector. Of course, it would be remiss of me to share my thoughts on education sector without at least mentioning Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It is known and is said quite often that the education system needs to be modernised to include more ICT technologies. Projected statistics show that by 2025, just about practically five years from now, 70 per cent of the jobs in the world would require some ICT skills. By that time, a child who is in Grade One right now would be leaving primary school and getting ready for secondary; a student entering First Form shortly would be graduating high school. What this points to, for me, is that there needs to be way more than teaching IT as one of the subjects in the curriculum. I think in every subject area, there need to be ways of integrating ICT in how the work is done and then finding ways to make this practical in the job market. But to add a cherry on top of this, it should be known that, come September, robotics, animation and artificial intelligence will be introduced to the primary system. I’m not quite sure the depth or scope of this, but I do believe that this is a great start-- remember that 2025 is not that far away. Anyone can come and point out the deficiencies that exist, and maybe there will always be some deficiencies, but it is a completely different scenario to identify and implement changes for its good. Like I’ve highlighted here, there are many things to look at within the sector but it isn’t a case of absolutely nothing being done.
Caring for people of all ages CARI N G f o r people of all ages is the passion of 21-yearold, Davida Fleming, a Second-year professional nursing student of the Georgetown School of Nursing. As a little girl, she would spend most of her time with her great grandmother, who taught Fleming how to care for others. “She took care of me and later I took care of her…she always encouraged me to take my education because I guess she saw something in me that I didn’t. With the time I spent with her, I enjoyed taking care of her and I grew wanting to help others,” she said.
By pursuing the nursing profession, she placed herself one step closer to helping people and satisfying her curiosity of examining and learning about the human body. Her goal, which she said is a simple one, is to achieve her Registered Nurse Licence. Although the goal might be simple, she said the life of a nursing student is tough. “But working on the wards, helping patients, seeing them smile, knowing I am trying to bring them comfort and hearing the simple words ‘thank you’ really keeps my colleagues and I going,” said Fleming. She never knew that the words “thank you” would have so much meaning to her until she started to work on the wards; just hearing a
patient say those words kept her going. With the continued support, she hopes that within the next five years she would be preparing to continue her studies to become a Cardiac Nurse. “While in my teenage stage my life was a bit challenging. I made numerous decisions that were not so good, one of which I decided to leave secondary school. I spent a few years working as a salesgirl at a variety store and photo studio. It was a customer that came to me and said you’re too smart to be here. From that day on I made inquiries, started lessons, got my CXC subjects and here I am,” she said. So her advice to young people is to never give up and always keep trying to achieve their goals.
Davida Fleming
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
Safe and accessible public infrastructure: A hallmark of national development
Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson
THE Constitution, the Government, and the Judiciary are the arms of Government that safeguard Guyana’s democracy but physical infrastructure is equally important in a state’s development. In fact, modern public infrastructure leads to developments in other sectors. Modern road networks, bridges and highways, for example, allow more commuters to access employment, health, education and other services which can drive development. The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure continues to make strides to ensure all Guyanese can live the ‘good life’ while utilising advanced and climate-resilient infrastructure. PRIORITISING SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE The pedestrian overpasses located along the East Bank Demerara public road represent one of the most significant and fully functional public infrastructure projects that the Government has completed to date. The five structures, which cost about $500 million are equipped with both a ramp and lift to aid pedestrians of all ages and abilities to cross the road safely. We asked a few rush-hour commuters and pedestrians about their experiences using the elevated walkways. Mr. Imran (only name given) a commuter who resides in Wales, West Bank Demerara said: I find it very useful because [in] afternoon traffic, you can’t really stop traffic [to let] people cross… I [drive] trucks and I know how dangerous that [can] be because the police put up their hand and expect you to stop [in time], but with [the overpass], you
can save lives. Ms. Davika Persaud, commuter: The overpass is very great [for] me. It’s convenient for me in the afternoon… because… [on] the other end [of the street] you have to
wait like ten minutes if you want to cross… So, the overpass is convenient and the exercise is great for me. I enjoy it. Ms. Odessa Mitchell, commuter: I’m living on the East Bank [Demerara] and most of [the] time, I’ll use it because of safety. [It hasn’t] been too long for me. I’m enjoying it. It’s… not only [safe], but it’s a bit of exercise… It’s very [safe] because, for instance, we have too many accidents… occurring on the road and it’s indeed, [providing] safety for children who will be going to school… during the week. Mr. Clayon McFord, commuter: The overpass is very [useful]… It allows you to traverse from one side of the road to the other and it’s most useful because it prevents you from interfering with any traffic that can cause an accident. You could harm yourself or a driver. Mr. Aftar Rahaman, Commuter: [I use the overpass] every day actually on my way back home, and I find it very useful because it’s a lot safer than walking amongst the traffic… Most people might not be swift enough to walk through the traffic in time and it’s very risky so it reduces a lot of the risk and [increases] safety. The commuters encouraged all pedestrians to utilise the overpasses because they see safety as a major benefit.
Mr. Imran, a commuter, said he appreciates the structures as they can saves lives.
Ms. Mitchell: I would encourage them to use it because it’s going to be for their good and for their safety… At times, despite the traffic light would be [displaying the] stop [signal]… the drivers tend to still [run] the traffic light instead of waiting on the light and … I think we should really use the walkway as men, women, and children. It is for our good and our protection. Ms. Persaud: It’s safe… No complaints
The Peter’s Hall pedestrian overpass.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 21, 2019
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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo (fifth and sixth from right) are given assistance as they cut the ribbon to commission US $46M Fourth Road Project in July 2018. Also pictured are Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson (third from right), Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who was then Minister of State; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for housing, Ms. Annette Ferguson, who was then Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure; and Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan.
about that… They’re trying to target everybody. They are targeting everybody and it’s very convenient for people. [Persons with disabilities], kids, everybody can enjoy it… I know some people don’t want to climb the stairs. They want to avoid the stairs, but it’s not safe, [the jaywalking]. I think it’s better for you to use the overhead crossing and be safe than sorry. Mr. McFord: For the persons who do not use the overpass, it is dangerous because it [can] cause accidents while [you] traverse from one side of the road to the other. PRIDE IN INFRASTRUCTURE The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under the leadership of Minister David Patterson, boasts the completion of a staggering number of infrastructural projects across all Ten Administrative Regions of Guyana. With the completion of every infrastructural project, the Ministry would like to see Guyanese become increasingly proud of the pace of their infrastructural development, he said. “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is a really wide and diverse ministry. We are tasked to look after our aviation sector, our road transportation sector, our maritime sector, and our energy sector. So, we have a wide and diverse team. There [are] about 14 or 15 different semi-autonomous agencies under the Ministry… Then, of course, we have the Ministry administrative section…
The initial stages of the Providence pedestrian overpass. (Photograph courtesy of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure)
So… with that framework we’re of course tasked with the enviable task with bringing out infrastructure, all of the entire gambit of infrastructure, up to a level which we,
Staff of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure install a lift at the Providence pedestrian overpass. (Photograph courtesy of the Department of Public Information)
as Guyanese, would be proud of,” Minister Patterson said. Minister Patterson admonished the belief that Guyanese aren’t ready for vast infrastructural development. “We’ve done in the last four years, I think, probably the most amount of roads in a four-year period, this Ministry would have done. We’ve done new things… We’ve sat as a team and decided that the mantra that used to exist where ‘Guyana isn’t ready for this’… The roundabout is one of [those projects]. I will always remember people always said that we’re not ready for a roundabout because they expected carnage, but we’ve said Guyanese are ready for anything. Most Guyanese travel, most Guyanese… are law-abiding persons once you enforce the rules and it’s about time we start getting ready,” he said. The Public Infrastructure Minister strongly believes that Guyana can become one of South America’s leading countries.
“There’s no reason why Guyana should not be one of the outstanding, brightest, shiniest lights in South America and the only reason stopping us is… us, our ability to dream and tell ourselves that, yes, as… Guyanese… we deserve [betterment],” he said. Minister Patterson said the amount of money invested in enhancing infrastructural development, particularly road works, in any region is worthwhile as it improves the standard of living of every citizen. “Even if there’s one resident on the road, they deserve to have street lights. They’re a contributing member [of] our society. They pay their taxes. They pay their VAT and they have all worked to make this a beautiful country. So, we’ve abandoned that principle whereby you must have [a certain number of persons]… we have said that everyone deserves it, so we systematically, all the way from Mahaica, all the way to Rosignol with street lights for every village,” he said. The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure continues to work assiduously to ensure that Guyanese across the country can access and utilise modern facilities as the country transitions into a ‘green’ state.
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Emotional Support Animals
I received an email with a request to discuss how animals can help with mental health problems. To better explain this, my long term friend Makyla who has had an emotional support dog for her depression, agreed to share her experience with you all. “When you first meet my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) you might question exactly what he is there for. He is high energy, rambunctious and loves people; the exact opposite of me. Which is why him and I are a perfect match. He forces out of me, everything my depression prevents. When the idea was first born by a friend of mine, I will admit, I was not exactly on board, however, a few pictures and a phone call later had me convinced. The next thing I knew there I was, in the depths of my depression, making the best decision I have ever made. Training a puppy can be a daunting task, even more so for a person with anxiety and/or depression. I always recommend going through a rescue agency such as Paws for Cause before deciding on what works best for you. An adult dog can also make for an unbelievable companion (and plus, they are usually potty trained!). Having an ESA is also about having a routine. Routines help break the cycle of depression and give you specific goals each day. I usually engage in at least an hour of vigorous/ stimulating exercise with my pet once a day, including running at a park or playing fetch. This helps tremendously with the release of endorphins, which in turn help with lifting my mood. And James – the best personal trainer I have ever had, never lets me miss a day. Pets can be a great addition to any household but particularly they do wonders for mental health in so many ways. You will never come home to a dog and have them not excited to see you. And as simple as that seems, no matter how bad your day was or how deep your depression cut you this time, petting a happy dog makes things just a bit better, even if it’s for a little while. I specifically got James because of my lack of mobility and my suicidal thoughts – when I was in the deepest part of my depression, planning and mapping out my suicide attempts, the reason they always fell through was because no matter what, no matter where I went, James was always beside me, with a big goofy tongue hanging out, oblivious and happy. I, later on, realised that James had the ability to apply deep pressure when I get emotional or full of anxious thoughts. This means that if he notices me crying, or breathing heavily with my head between my legs, he actively tries to break those uncomfortable behaviours. In one way, he will climb on top of my lap and lay there for me to hold (hugs apply deep pressure and help slow breathing) or will break my hands away from my face and lick me until I seem calmer. Dogs are natural healers and body language readers, so often they can end up engaging in these behaviours without training. It has been six years, and he has still never left my side. I hope this helps you readers who are struggling with anxiety or depression in making the decision to enrich your life with a pet. My James saved my life, I hope you too can find a furry friend to change your world. Although Emotional Support Animals do not have to be trained by an agency (it is considered that simply existing as a companion is what aids their owners), they must have a thorough understanding of basic obedience & must be well socialised, especially if you plan on taking your pet into public spaces. ESA’s must also be vetted by a psychiatrist, which helps regarding any issues with housing and travel. However, even if you don’t have a psychiatrist to officially call your pet an ESA, you can still access these online resources that can help you train your animal to help you with your own mental health: https://waservicedog.org/resources/beginners-guideto-service-dogs/ Facebook Groups: Service Dogs for Invisible Disabilities Owner Trained Service Dogs (OTSD) Train Your Service Dog With Confidence (Positive Reinforcement Training)”
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Choosing a Fulfilling Career in the Environmental Arena
MORE and more the environment is rapidly becoming a “hot topic”. With so many changes happening on Guyana environmental landscape, undoubtedly, there is a greater need now more than ever to increase your knowledge in this field. Further, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would like to encourage you to do more than just reading literature surrounding issues affecting the environment, rather, become part of the solution. With all the national examinations completed and some students still awaiting their final results, many are probably somewhat indecisive on a next step to either propel them in their professional or academic career. The EPA wishes to encourage you to consider an exciting and fulfilling career in the Environmental field. Here are a few questions to consider before you jump in; • Do you love the outdoors? • Are you concerned about the state of the environment? • Do you long to make a difference in the world? If your answers to these questions are yes then pursuing an environmental career may just be ideal for you! The field of environment is wide and involves Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Law, Education, Research, Geography, Agriculture, Engineering etc. While all of these disciplines may link to the environment, each has its unique content and skills. Let’s take a look at some types of jobs in the environmental field that are possible for persons studying various disciplines. • Physics and Chemistry: These persons can be involved in identifying chemical or industrial pollution problems and their solutions. • Biology: There is much scope for these persons to focus on methods to protect, conserve and manage animals and plants (life). A Biologist studies the underlying principles which govern life on earth. • Engineers: Such persons fit in well with jobs that involve waste management, environmental infrastructure and technology, building design and construction and emergency response. With the oil and gas prospects being high, engineers with various areas of speciality will be needed. • Health and Computer Science: Graduates in these disciplines can occupy jobs in the environment such as record keeping and reporting, internet and web designs, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), public health and sanitation and education. • Environmental Education: Working in this field will equip you with the skills to design and develop programmes to aid awareness building to influence attitudes and change behaviour of people everywhere. SPECIALISED SKILLS NEEDED While it is possible for persons to enter the environmental field through various disciplines, becoming an advanced environmental professional usually makes it necessary Turn to page XXXIV►►►
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The virtue of empathy
STUDYING social work for the past two years at the University, I was taught that the virtue of empathy is of the utmost importance when helping clients. Empathy is one of the key values social workers must practice. It made me realise that it is so important in the helping profession, it should also be important in our everyday lifestyles. We should differentiate the fact that sympathy and empathy are completely different. Sympathy is the feeling of pity for another while empathy is trying to ‘put yourself in their place’ and trying to understand their feelings better—people tend to mistake the two. To my very own knowledge, a lot of people seek counselling because they just need someone to talk to, someone to listen to them and most importantly someone who understands them. We’re all unique and different, sometimes understanding each other is difficult but I truly believe empathy can be used to bridge gaps between those differences.
The common mistake we make is that we always yearn for empathy from others but we refuse to show it in return. There must be countless times where you were probably arguing with someone and you wanted them to understand your point-of-view, but how many times have you considered to willingly understand how they feel? From children wanting their parents to understand them to friends in conflict—there’s an important need for empathy. Empathy manifests in three types or stages; cognitive, emotional and compassionate. Cognitive empathy, also known as perspective-taking, makes you understand a person’s way of thinking and feeling. Cognitive empathy allows you to communicate as well as negotiate better with people. Emotional empathy deals with the affective sides of a person (their emotions). Practising this allows you to feel and/or understand what a person may be feeling and it can be used to build better emotional bonds and connections. Finally, research has shown that empathy can evolve into compassionate acts- compassionate empathy which is the final stage. All of these stages oftentimes occur one after the other. First, we must first try to analyse a person’s thoughts through communication (bodily gestures, verbal, signs, etc.). Their thoughts would eventually lead us to how they are feeling. Here we would try to relate to their feelings based on similar situations or experiences that we’ve probably faced. Finally, acting upon our emotions in a compassionate manner will manifest itself when we understand what help
we can bring forth to the person. An example to paint a better picture can include a situation where my friend’s dog died. The initial empathetic stage would be for me to understand her thoughts based on conversations we’ve had about her dog, her tears of sadness and other communicative efforts that suggest she is sad. Second, I can use a similar experience to help relate to her affections. Perhaps, the time my cat got lost—the situation does not have to be the same but similar just enough to relate to her feelings. Last, I can act out of compassion towards the situation—offering a lending and selfless hand if needed to my friend in her time of grief and sadness. All in all, we should learn how to understand as
much we would like to be understood. Whether it’s for our personal life challenges to help others through the professional world of work; empathy is surely needed. I simply cannot imagine a world without it and at the same time, I can only hope we practice more of this virtue. While conflict is also important in the psychological world, I do believe we’ll have fewer disagreements and debates if we used more empathy. A fitting quote I found for this topic was, “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another” and I am sure you all can agree that sometimes, all we really need in this complicated world is for someone to truly understand us.
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POWER OF THE SOIL Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel ... Inspiring lives through fashion
WE encounter people from all walks of life during our journeys. Some you remember and some you don’t. The people who impress me most are the ones who add value. It does not matter what your bank account reflects, status or titles. What it truly means is the difference we make with the time allotted on earth. I met Bibi Alli a few years ago, but recently got a chance to understand her mission and I am very impressed. I did mention her in previous columns when she was on the panel at the event in Harlem recently and while I was chilling in Florida. She overcame so many challenges and is now leading a life she loves, while fulfilling her purpose. She is as real as it gets and she makes me burst out laughing many times while chatting with her in her backyard in Pembroke Pines, Florida. I did learn a few valuable lessons from her and had a better understanding of the power of the soil. “My book, ‘The Power of the Soil,’ illustrates my life’s journey. The soil has played a very significant role in my life, from planting seeds as a child to now planting plants to give to families with my organisation Culture of Blessing/ Fundación Cultura Bendiciones. There are power and victory in the soil,” she said She compares the seasons of her life to that of a seed being planted, to now being a fruit that makes a difference in the lives of others. These are my stages of growth and development. Bibi Alli’s story illustrates her life as a survivor and a hustler. She came out of a lifestyle of abject poverty, which had shown no indication of any possibility whatsoever of anyone in her family ever seeing a positive outcome in the future. Her determination and fortitude to survive such an Turn to page XXXIV►►►
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Learning more about NAREI 3. The use and evaluation of the efficacy of rhizobium strains on legumes under shaded conditions. * Soil Mechanisation
THIS week, NAREI in Focus will continue to enlighten readers, particularly our farmers, about the various services we offer free of cost. Under the spotlight is the Soil Management and Farm Mechanisation Department. This department was created to offer a high quality of soil and land use services to all farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural community of Guyana. Its primary role is to present crop production as a potential source of wealth at both family and farm level. WHAT ARE OUR OBJECTIVES? * To provide a mechanism for sustainable production of fruits and vegetables through studies in nutrient balance. * To optimise the use of locally available amendments in crop production. * To boost the use of agricultural land with appropriate cropping systems. * To provide Technical Packages for the production of exotic crops in Guyana; as well as year-round crop production in a protective environment. WHAT ARE SOME OF OUR PROJECTS? * Soil Fertility. 1. Nutrient Studies in cherry and Sour-sop Cultivation and Production. 2. Use of locally available liming materials on local soils. 3. Use of charcoal as a soil amendment on marginal soils in Hinterland Regions. * Land Evaluation. 1. Land Resource Assessment for Agricultural Production in Guyana. 2. Cultivation of Acacia on mine-spoils for the improvement of Soil Fertility and Land Reclamation. 3. Cultivation of exotic crops (e.g. onion, Irish potato, carrot) under Shaded Conditions. 4. All year production of vegetables (e.g. cabbage, pepper, poi) under Shaded Conditions. * Water Management and Protective Agriculture. 1. Production of leafy (e.g. lettuce) and fruit (tomato) vegetables using hydroponics. 2. Production of yellow split peas under shaded conditions. 3. Moisture requirements for crop production under Shaded Conditions. * Soil Fertility and Soil Micro-Biology. 1. The use of mycorrhiza substrate preparation for crop production. 2. The Use of Sunn Hemp in management of nematodes under shaded vegetable production.
1. The use of grass mulch to develop a plough layer on raised clay beds. 2. The use of soil sterilisation in crop production.
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existence prompted her to plant some vegetable seeds and become a street vendor. Selling her vegetables and fish on the streets of Windsor Forest and Ogle, Guyana, would eventually lead her out of the quagmire of an extremely disastrous quality of life. Luck would eventually guide her to a brighter future in Venezuela. Years later, she migrated to the United States to a very successful way of life and career as a hairdresser and an aspiring real estate agent. The Power of the Soil has come full circle in her life. As the founder of the Culture of Blessing/Fundación Cultura Bendiciones foundation, her goal is to give back to the communities in Guyana and Venezuela. Through this foundation, she teaches families about the power of planting and feeding their families. She is currently working with several communities and schools where she provides them with plants and food. Her hope and desire are to empower as many women and families through her book, The Power of the Soil and her foundation, to let them know that nothing is impossible, despite what they have suffered in their respective lives. She has plans to come back to her home country as part of her mission and will be collaborating with my foundation. I will recommend you purchase a copy of her book on Amazon. Her email is bibiali0101@gmail.com “ I have learned that God has a plan for us and directs our paths. I believe that nothing is impossible, and I would like them to discover who they are and the hard work it takes towards their dreams. It may be a journey, but be determined and trust in God. Your seeds of greatness will bear fruit,” Bibi Alli encourages. This is a testimony that we have to develop, no matter what attitude, as we celebrate this journey we call life BEYOND THE RUNWAY. ◄◄◄ From page XXX
to pursue higher studies with an environmental focus i.e. hydrology, environmental chemistry, geo-physic, environmental engineering, petroleum engineering environmental and public health, environmental science, environmental education etc. There are also many fields of study that have evolved to address specific needs in the environmental field. These include environmental management, wildlife management, protected areas management, biodiversity conservation etc. Environmental professionals work in offices, on the oil rigs, shore base services, laboratories, outdoors in the field etc. In our country, environmental professionals travel throughout the country to monitor the environment, conduct research, evaluate developmental activities and educate and inform people about environmental conservation and management. To function in the field of environment, it is important to have an understanding of the physical sciences and the biological sciences and how these affect the environment. Earning a degree in environmental science, for example, will equip an individual with knowledge about the environment including the air, water, and soil and the interaction of living things with these elements and climate. Some environmental professionals make inputs into laws that protect the environment. Such persons help companies to adhere to the national laws which control negative impacts on the environment. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Becoming an environmental professional is not only about academics. Persons aiming to work in the environment field need to have or develop their interpersonal skills. This is important for working with other people to resolve issues and obtain consensus on laws and practices that safeguard the environment and human health. Reporting and presentation skills are also essential to explain research findings, so are oral and writing skills. Computer literacy is also a requisite skill for studying the environment as models are now being used to study and predict impacts on the environment influenced by man or nature. To prepare yourself for an environmental career, you can start taking an interest in science, mathematics, and computer science. You can also get familiar with topics such as rocks, the earth, and the environment. Reading books about these subjects and watching videos and documentaries on environmental issues, nature, science, among others are also recommended. We hope this week’s article provided that “light-bulb” moment to get you on the right track to pursuing a career in the environmental sector. It’s never too early or late to plan for your future. You can make contact to the Agency on 225-5471-2; www.epaguyana.org or epaguyana on Facebook, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN should you have questions regarding Environmental Authorisation
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English
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STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Continue to visualise yourself taking examinations. Use a relaxation exercise to bring yourself into a composed, comfortable and relaxed state; and then imagine yourself in that same state taking the examination. Feel purpose-
ful and confident. See yourself seated in the examination environment. You should now feel entirely at home and attuned to that moment, working effectively and concentrating well. Practise visualising this positive, clear, realistic image repeatedly. Keep on being good to yourself. Love you
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THE PASSAGE Jason understood that he might actually be going to die like the man at his feet. And it occurred to How far that little candle throws his beams! him that, if he fell, all he was ever So shines a good deed in a naughty world. going to get out of life he would have already had. Nothing, then, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616) ever could be changed; and nothThe Merchant of Venice Act 5 Scene 1 ing more – no last experience or pleasure – could ever be added to the most commonly used letter styles. his life. He wished, then, that he a) The Inside Address: This contains the had not allowed his wife to go off by herself tonight – and on similar nights. He thought name of addressee with a courtesy title. Perof all the evenings he spent way from her, son’s job title is either in the same line or on working, and regretted them. He thought a separate line. b) The Attention Line: This is a line posiwonderingly of his fierce ambition and of the direction his life had taken; he thought of the tioned below the inside address and above the hours he’d spent by himself, filling the yellow salutation to speed up handling of the letter, sheet that had brought him here. Contents e.g. Attention General Manager. Do this of the dead man’s pockets he thought with when the letter is addressed to a company or to department within a company, rather than sudden fierce anger, a wasted life. an individual person. c) The Salutation: There are several Something to Do 1) “Jason understood fully” – What di acceptable forms of salutations, and each reflects a different tone. Jason understand fully? The Body: This is the most important a) his possible death; b) his missing section of the letter from both the writer and wife; c) his pockets’ contents; d) his func- the reader’s point of view, with the writer doing his best to get his or her thoughts across tioning brain 2. Jason’s thoughts revealed the kind of to the reader. This body consists essentially of the message and may optionally include a person he had become. What kind was it? subject line. a) neglectful; b) greedy; a) The Subject Line: There is advance c) thoughtful; d) deadly 3. Jason is found in retrospection of his notice here of what the letter is about. Put actions. What things is he is doing at this this immediately below the salutation (so juncture of his life? Discuss this with a study that it precedes the message), e.g. SUBJECT: ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING, partner and write down your findings. or Subject: Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. b) The Message: This is the body and ABOUT WRITING PARAGRAPHS It is a good thing to be constantly reading soul of the whole letter – all other parts are whatever other people write. Read with you appendages, arms and legs that support and yourself in mind. Keep your eyes open to the help to make the message work. The message way they structure paragraphs. The secret carries the purpose of the letter. It may have to successful paragraph writing is to make at least two paragraphs even if the last paraparagraph behave well, as paragraphs should graph is nothing more than “Thanks and best wishes to you,” or something along that line. – hang together. The Closing: This complimentary closing Sentences in a paragraph may fit together in many ways. They may be like any says “Good-bye” in a different way from normal. paragraph described below… a) The Complementary Closing: This a) telling about the same subject. closing varies in form and tone. It must match b) relating a single sequence of events. c) explaining parts of the same process, the salutation of the letter, e.g. “Respectfully yours”, “Yours very truly”. step by step. OR b) The Company Signature: Most comd) supplying follow-up details necessary to make the reader see how true a general panies do not use a company signature. It is the name of the company typed in all-capital statement is. letters. c) The Writer’s Signature: The handwritWRITING LETTERS ten signature of the person who has written The business letter format and style The business letter, like other letters, car- the letter. d) The Writer’s Identification: The writries four sections in sequence: The heading, er’s name and job title. Samuel Johnson, the opening, the body, and the closing. The Heading: This contains essential General Manager. e) Reference Initials: This serves for adheading parts such as a letterhead and date line which contain information for both writ- ministration purposes only, e.g. FTB/crt/bur, er and reader. The contents and design of a meaning FTB signed the letter, crt wrote it, company or organisation’s letterhead identify and bur typed it. f) Enclosure Notation: Such a notation the company or organisation and project an image. The date line consists of the year, helps writers, recipients, and secretaries confirm that all the enclosures are included when month, and date the letter is written. The Opening: This directs the letter to a the letter is sent and received. g) Others: These are the Mailing Nospecific individual, company, department, or whatever, and to courteously greet the reader tation, the Carbon Copy notations, the before beginning to talk business, and estab- Blind Carbon Copy Notation, and the Post lish a an overall letter tone The inside address scripts which are still left to be taken into directs the letter, as does an attention line, if account, so specifically accountable are the used; and the salutation greets the reader in parts of a serious business letter.
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Potato Bake INGREDIENTS For the Dough 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. margarine For the Potato filling 2 large potatoes 1 tbsp roasted ground cumin ( geera ) 2 cloves garlic 1 stem celery 1 leaf broad thyme 1 tbsp. margarine 1 tsp. salt ( to boil potatoes with } pepper to taste salt to taste ( for the potato filling mixture ) ------------------------1. Potatoes should be peeled and boil with 1 tsp. salt 2. as potatoes are boiling, pound in a mortar or blend Pepper, celery, garlic and thyme 3. add the salt, baking powder, sugar and margarine to the flour and knead into a dough by adding water a bit at a time 4 once dough is kneaded, cover with a damp towel and let rest for 15 mins 5. while dough is resting mash potatoes, add the blended seasonings, the margarine, cumin powder and salt to taste 6. after the 15 mins roll little balls of the dough for each bake, with palm and fingers. 7. roll out the dough and fill the potato and roll into a ball again 8. after that, roll out the bakes and fry to a golden brown color. www.realniceguyana.com
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