A fulfilling career
Ophthalmologist enjoying her job to the fullest
Dr Francine
Indarsingh is a proud mother and Opthalmologist
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Plant-based products for hair and beard debuts at Favour’s Hair Therapy
‘Cream of Rice’ is a local wholesome breakfast option
GUYANESE-BORN migrant from Venezuela, Edward Moore, is back in his home country to invest in our local economy in the form of manufacturing wholesome, all-natural products with good nutritional values and benefits.
WHEN Falana Fraser established Favour’s Hair Therapy, it was out of love due to her son’s hair condition. Today, it has become a thriving small business empowering her to realise her true potential with her own haircare and beard products.
In June, he launched ‘Cream of Rice’ product utilising the Government of Guyana, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) facility at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.
The products include hair oil, hair pomade, beard oil, beard wash and conditioner, edge balm, shampoo and conditioner, hair mist, beard and hair tools.
Moore has partnered with GSA via the Ministry of Agriculture to produce ‘Cream of Rice’, a wholesome substitute breakfast option that is quick and easy to make a simple porridge.
According to her selfnamed business, Favour’s Hair Therapy, “promote(s) healthy and strong growth for all hair types”. It is a small business that started in the kitchen, and it had a trial period before the products were launched.
The product was launched in June, and it is retailed at the Guyana Shop, Robb Street, Georgetown, and is available at supermarkets.
Moore told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is a native of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, but left Guyana for Venezuela in 1975, more than 49 years ago. He has a wife and two children from a marriage in
Fraser is originally from Uitvlugt but resides at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. She is married and has a three-year-old son. She explained that after the birth of her child, she noticed that he had issues with hair growth, and parts of his head were very patchy with no hair, and she wanted to change that.
detailed research, and af ter gaining knowledge, she experimented with some ingredients and made a hair oil from aloe, coconut oil and onion.
the home-made oil into her son’s hair/scalp, and within a short time, she noticed a difference: his bald spots were replaced with new hair growth, and soon he had a full head of hair which could be held in a ponytail.
her son’s once-patchy hair was replaced by full hair growth within three to four months, and today, his hair remains healthy and full.
Magazine that the positive results in her child’s hair process motivated her to make more of the plantbased hair oil and she began sharing it among family members.
within her family tree, and one day, her father encour aged her to utilise her new found skill to establish a small business to bring in an income to her home.
that country.
He worked as a mechanic and later began producing chocolates and pre-cooked corn flour from equipment he fabricated in his workshop at home in Venezuela.
Moore stated that after the last attack on himself and his family at his home in Venezuela, he decided to return to his homeland because it was not safe due to the declining economic situation. He was robbed at his home four times by armed bandits of whatever little he had.
Moore tried to sell his house even for a meagre sum but was unsuccessful so he gave away his household possessions and left for Guyana.
He came last October to see how he could set up a small business to earn money, and he engaged the regional administration in his plan to produce rice porridge.
Moore sought advice, and after some consultations, he was authorised to utilise the GSA facility at Anna Regina to manufacture his ‘Cream of Rice’ product and provided employment for three persons.
with rosemary oil became the best seller. She branded her products and went about to become a registered business. Fraser’s hair oil was then vetted as safe for use by the relevant authorities, certified and has its own
He was given a three-year period to use the facility, and his product is being marketed by the Guyana Shop as a locally produced product that is wholesome and has excellent nutritional benefits.
is used in the production of the products, including essential oils.
Fraser added that as a
Moore had to start from scratch and returned to his home village of Devonshire Castle, where he garnered support from relatives and started producing “Cream of Rice’ which is attractively packaged and labelled.
So far, the response to the product has been promising.
From interactions with people in three expositions he participated in, he was able to promote ‘Cream of Rice’, which was dubbed a favourite breakfast option for many.
‘Cream of Rice’ can be used to make a cake or porridge. Both options are good with a straightforward recipe.
entrepreneur.
Moore will also embark on his second project as a local producer in chocolate making and pre-cooked corn flour.
small business, she operates from the confines of her home but has pick-up locations in the city and on the West Coast Demerara.
“I was here in Guyana in 1984 when Kenneth Hopkinson was the Regional
launched her products in which the hair oil infused
and everything from plants
Chairman, and I had a plot of land in Region Two for agriculture, but then I had no capital to cultivate the land, so I had to return to Venezuela,” he said.
Moore reported that the product ‘Cream of Rice’ isn’t widely known yet and he hopes to make the product a household name through marketing strategies and advertisements.
However, he is motivated by the favourable response to the product so far and hopes the product will become a favourite in many homes.
“Once they taste the product, they will like it, and it was evident at the recent exposition for Emancipation Day celebrations at the Guyana Shop on Robb Street where I had cake and porridge prepared for sampling,” he said.
Moore stated that he returned home for a ‘fresh start’ and is very thankful for the current administration’s input in making his small business a reality.
He noted that the partner-
As a small business owner, Fraser says of all her products, three have been FDA-approved and she is working to get all certified but is registered with Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), GCCI and, GSMA and the Small Business Bu-
She related that being
ship has been good and will last a three-year period during which he will try to acquire his own equipment even if he has to fabricate it himself.
Presently, the Guyana School of Agriculture facility at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, can produce 500 individually packaged ‘Cream of Rice’ products per day with three full-time workers along with Moore.
She reported that scores of people were genuinely interested in the products and even encouraged her to produce more. She was also complimented on her attrac-
Fraser stated that although all the manufacturing takes place at her home, she would someday like to have a separate facility for that purpose, along with a store to sell and display her
“I advertise my small business via social media, that is, Facebook and Tik Tok, and I often have to produce daily content to promote my products and I can say I have a few loyal customers. I supply a few salons, spas and barber shops, the Guyana Shop and Coss Cutter Supermarket with my products in which sales have
sistency and money to stay
ing as a motivating factor to keep going,” she said.
Fraser is the holder of a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and is certified in law from London University.
Being self-employed is quite empowering and she feels that there is no restraint in becoming successful in business through networking, marketing and consis -
Fraser always represents her brand, Favour’s Hair Therapy, with her custom-made shirts and other products, which she proudly wears and display.
Falana Fraser,
Favour’s Hair Therapy plant-based products (Yohan Savory photos)
Falana Fraser and her products.
Turning Adversity to Artistry
The 27-year-old loc technician who is winning competitions shares her story
By Shaniya Harding
DEMALIE
Hamilton’s smile tells the story of a challenging yet exciting life. The 27-year-old mother of one can only be described as an overcomer. From a rough childhood to facing challenges in pursuing her education and a near-death experience, Demalie has emerged triumphant. Today, her name has become synonymous with the art of perfecting locs. Winner of Linden’s Loc Fest, Demalie went on to win all categories of Curl Fete 2024. Now, as more people take notice of her skills, the mother of one is developing her business. The Pepperpot Magazine sat down with Demalie to understand her challenges and what it took to overcome them.
ing cricket, and doing all the tomboy things,” she shared. However, the negative aspects of her childhood did not define her; with the support of her aunt and grandmother, Demalie developed a passion for reading. As a loner for most of her life, books were a unique escape and the gate-
availability of more information and the presence of more mental health professionals, it is being discussed more openly and reaching far more people. After her studies were halted, Demalie began suffering from depression. “I faced several challenges. I was battling with excess depression. I was diagnosed and battling excess depression,” she stated. Opening up to the Pepperpot Magazine, Demalie shared the rocky relationship with her father. Never quite having a healthy father-daughter relationship, the situation took a new turn when their altercations became physical. Demalie said the incident was
“the beginning of the end.” She said, “That was the beginning of the end of my fight with depression. From 2017, technically 2016, I started suffering with depression.”
Now, several years later, Demalie is rebuilding and thriving. Demalie, the mother of a one-year-old daughter, Divinity, found that her child’s birth truly sparked her to launch her business, Majestic Crowns. A unique spin on a traditional salon, Majestic Crowns specialises in locs.
Many people thought the change from the sciences to locs was unprecedented. But Demalie says hair is something she has always loved. Her decision to leave the sciences was significant, having been in meteorology for many years. To most, becoming a loc technician did not seem like the likely decision. But Demalie believes it was the right one. “After realising that my salary was under $100,000 and I was unsuccessful with my BSc,
Demalie is a self-described tomboy who spent most of her early childhood on the streets of Sophia. Recounting her early years, Demalie stated that it was not the easiest time of her life, but it taught her most of life’s lessons, helping her garner whatever ‘street sense’ she has today. “I grew up in the ghetto of North Sophia, climbing coconut trees, play-
way to her love of education.
Damalie’s educational endeavours centred around her love of the sciences. Her years at New Campbellville Secondary were characterised by exceptional performance. After leaving school, she pursued higher education. This was also met with various struggles, the biggest being the loss of a scholarship. “Shortly after graduating from high school, I went to the Guyana School of Agriculture. I studied Meteorology in Barbados. I won a scholarship to study, but I lost it due to unforeseen circumstances,” Demalie explained. She called the loss of her scholarship heartbreaking but also a turning point. “My love for sciences really broke my heart. I love education, knowledge, learning, and being in the know.”
Depression is not a widely talked about issue in Guyana, but with the
I decided to focus on a skill that could pay me. It was not about prestige. I birthed my child, and under $100,000 cannot cut it. I just put all of my energy into locs and made sure to excel in it.”
And excel she did. Curl Fete 2024 saw the name Majestic Crowns take centre stage as the winner of every category in its famed hair show. There was a lot of effort behind the production Demalie put on at Curl Fete, and it certainly paid off. “When they announced I won, I lost my voice from screaming so much. I am happy I won, I am very competitive, but this competition for me was more about marketing my business,” she stated.
Demalie is now taking the next steps to develop her skills and her business further. She continues to be an inspiration to young men and women who have come from similar backgrounds. As she stated, “To those people that don’t have mothers and fathers… those ‘ghetto’ children, you’re smart, and you want better,; you’re going to have to suffer some things.” Demalie is proof that it may be hard, but success, recovery, and repair are possible.
Demalie Hamilton, owner of Majestic Crowns and winner of all categories of Curl Fete’s hair show
One of Demalie’ winning styles at Curl Fete 2024 (Photos from Curl Fete’s Facebook Page)
Majestic Crowns was named winner of all categories at this year’s event.
A fulfilling career
Ophthalmologist enjoying her job to the
fullest
By Michel Outridge
Dr. Francine Indarsingh wanted to become a lawyer, but due to financial challenges, she had to resort to a career change, and she qualified herself after moving to the city and becoming an ophthalmologist.
Dr. Indarsingh told the Pepperpot Magazine that the journey wasn’t easy and included many obstacles, trials and tribulations, but hard work, sacrifice and dedication made her successful.
She also credits her success to her spouse. While she was on the four-year course at the University of Guyana (UG), she met her partner, and he provided much-needed support.
The mother of two disclosed that she went to UG and got a diploma in Public Management, and after she realised that was not what she wanted in a career, she craved a more hands-on challenge.
Dr. Indarsingh then enrolled in the ophthalmologist course, which lasted four years, and after she graduated, she took her role in healthcare very seriously.
Dr. Indarsingh added that they made the journey fun and that the experience garnered from her one-year internship at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) crafted her role in promoting eye care personally.
She has decided to take a break after working for private optical businesses for two years, working just one day per week, and is spending much-needed time with her family to assist her children in transitioning into new schools for the upcoming school term.
Dr. Indarsingh told the Pepperpot Magazine that her best work experience was during her internship at GPHC. She looked up
to a few specialists at the Eye Clinic and was able to perform at her best in that crowded, fast-paced environment.
She explained that working with specialists provided her with a deep insight into eyecare, and after spending time with the best ophthalmologists, she adopted the in-depth approach with her patients to give them the satisfaction they need.
The eye specialist stated that eye care consultations require detailed step-by-step explanations, a method that has been successful thus far and has seen many positive recommendations and recognition.
Dr. Indarsingh reported that she aims to open her very own optical business, which would have to be in her home village because she wants to give back to society or work with the government until she realises her dream of owning her own optical clinic.
She added that being a full-time parent and ophthalmologist is not easy since there is no day off as a parent, and working long hours daily takes away time from being at home.
Dr. Indarsingh reported
that her children are her biggest motivators, and she has adopted measures in her personal life to balance work and home life.
She is from the East, Savannah Park, where she grew up in New Amsterdam, Berbice, but her family resides in Glasgow Housing Scheme.
Dr. Indarsingh added that maybe she will qualify herself to become a medical doctor soon but will never give up being an ophthalmologist since it brings her immense joy providing total eyecare evaluation on every patient.
“I have encountered a lot of people who have inspired me and they have moulded me into the person who I am today and I don’t see spending time as long as it takes to explain everything to a patient because I am very passionate about what I do for work, I feel good inside out,” she said.
Dr. Indarsingh pointed out that when you do the job you love it is not about the money or anything else because it gives total fulfillment helping people preserve good eyesight.
“If you are good at something, your job and
Dr. Francine Indarsingh with a patient during an evaluation of the eyes
you love it, forget naysayers and give it your all, follow your passion regardless of difficulties and hold on to people who support you. Being kind, genuine to people goes a long way and always comes back to you,” she said.
Dr. Francine Indarsingh
Successful Diaspora Job Fair held in New York
By Michel Outridge
IN July 2024, a Diaspora Job Fair, an initiative of the Government of Guyana in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), was held at the New York La Guardia Marriott Hotel.
a unique opportunity for skilled Guyanese abroad to explore career prospects in Guyana and actively contribute to the nation’s ongoing development initiatives.
The Diaspora Job Fair featured participation from key private sector leaders and stakeholders, offering
figures from key industries in Guyana.
Electrical Engineer/Contractor, part-owner of Electric Guyana Inc., Keon Howard, was one of the attendees at this event where he had the opportunity to showcase his business with the Diaspora and acknowledged the
The event saw the attendance of a wide cross-section of people, including high-level officials from Guyana, diplomats, and well-known businessmen and women from both Guyana and the Diaspora. The event targeted Guyanese in the Diaspora and presented
attendees insights into the diverse opportunities available across various sectors within Guyana.
Participants’ expectancy to meet industry leaders was realised at this event, and they also had a chance to explore job opportunities by interacting with prominent
need for networking via such events.
Relishing in the experience of the event, Howard added that the Diaspora Job Fair also allowed him to explore job opportunities by discovering a wide range of exciting career openings.
He stated that he learned
a lot about other companies and gained insights into small, medium, and large enterprises operating abroad.
Howard noted that the event allowed him to understand the remigration process, where he received information on returning home to Guyana to invest.
He reported that invitees at the Diaspora Job Fair in New York saw the event as the ideal place to learn how their skills can contribute to Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.
“The Job Fair underscores Guyana’s commitment to harnessing the tal-
ents and expertise of our diaspora community. By deploying their skills and experience, they can play a pivotal role in the country’s development and economic growth,” he said.
Guyanese living abroad, especially in New York and surrounding states, showed up in their numbers to explore the abundant opportunities available in our vibrant Guyana.
Howards’ Electrical venture locally
On the technical side of things is Keon Howard, the brain behind Guyana Elec-
tric Inc., an electrical consultancy and installations, residential, commercial, industrial and maintenance company.
After Keon and his wife, Michelle, moved back home, Keon launched Guyana Electric Inc. in 2018. It is an electrical contracting firm responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems.
The local company has been making strides in terms of securing small contracts to outfit buildings with all electrical works, and one such contract was the newly opened Aiden Hotel in the city, a massive, one-of-akind building that boasts intricate designs and high-end furnishings.
Howard told the Pepperpot Magazine that Guyana Electric Inc. was accepted into the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Notably, the company is the first Guyanese entity to gain membership with the organisation.
“The organisation sets the standard for traditional and integrated electrical systems, leads the industry in the practical application of new technologies, serves as the voice for electrical construction by empowering contractors to be innovative, safe and responsible when executing works throughout the US, as well as the Caribbean,” Howard added.
Further, Howard said that while the membership recognises Guyana Electric Inc.’s contributions to the industry, it also gives the company an advantage when bidding for international projects when compared to other businesses in the industry.
Keon Howard as he engaged with invitees at the Diaspora Job Fair in New York recently
Part-owner Keon Howard of Guyana Electric Inc. at the Diaspora Job Fair
Soesdyke
A village where tradition meets progress
By Shaniya Harding
SOESDYKE is a village that merges the best aspects of a close-knit community with that of a busy city: the constant hustle and bustle of vibrant entrepreneurs with the peacefulness and tranquillity of its people and riverside setting. It is one of the few communities where the sounds of birds can still be heard through the noise of the busy street. Perhaps this is why Soesdyke’s residents love their community uniquely. Lindon Gilks is one of the countless people who are proud to call Soesdyke home. Moreover, according to Lindon, his family is among the village’s original inhabitants. He has witnessed the community evolve from a little-known settlement before the highway to its major highlight today.
Soesdyke of 30 years ago looked much different than it does now, having been more grasslands than homes and more cows than people. Lindon explained that his family came to the community when it was still pasture. “We are the first set of people to come into the back here to live. We used to live inside a small house here. It was a cow pasture. The man who brought us here to live used to mind cows. So we used to take care of the place. We came here as caretakers. That’s how we eventually ended up living here.”
Lindon and his entire family eventually turned to agriculture. After coming to the community in search of work, Lindon’s father turned to farming, and his children soon followed suit. As Lindon stated, “We were looking for land to buy. My father
hooked up with this man who had land. He brought us here to look after the cows. That’s how we ended up here.” Most of Lindon’s childhood was spent surrounded by animals and trees. “I must have been nine [when we moved here]. We used to mind pigs,” he recalled.
As the community started to develop, however, ag-
taxi driver for seven years.”
With development on the rise, construction quickly became the more viable option for work. Lindon took up construction; learning his trade from bits and pieces, he gathered from various places. As he added, “I had a little idea about carpentry and stuff. But the mason part, I never really did that. But
ricultural production in the area declined and Lindon sought more viable work options. He tried his hand at quite a few jobs before settling on construction.
“Before the construction work, I used to work as a taxi driver at the base, at the airport. Used to refuel them aircraft and stuff. And then I left there and went to work at GAC, Guyana Airways Corporation. I worked there for four years, but I worked as a
when I came off, I had no alternative but to go into that. I started doing construction work, and I am doing it until now. The only work you’d make a little money [from] is construction work.”
Development in the community has been on a
steady and stable rise, with involvement from both local residents and their wider community members. The village has recently seen large-scale infrastructural development, with new roads and bridges. The people of the community have also played their role in building up their homes, with collaborative community efforts and an explosive rise in entrepreneurs who support each other.
The village has still retained much of its traditional practices, but afternoon hangouts are still present and are very prominent in the community. As Lindon stated, “We used to have parties and dances in the village on the football field. We still have it sometimes, but people are so busy now.”
He shared that Soesdyke is home to happy people who
seek to hold activities as often as possible.
One of the interesting practices that is still alive and well in the community is bird-racing. As an avid ‘bird racer,’ Lindon says it has always been a sport in the region and continues to thrive in Soesdyke. “I have a towa towa. I take it out to go and race on the race ground. We go and race for money.
I would say that bird-racing is still a very big thing in Soesdyke. People do not know it is a very hard thing to get into.”
As Soesdyke continues to grow and develop, it maintains a delicate balance between progress and tradition. The village serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people, who have embraced change while holding onto the aspects of community
life that make Soesdyke unique. From its humble beginnings as a cow pasture to its current status as a thriving hub of activity, Soesdyke’s journey mirrors the stories of many of its residents, like Lindon Gilks, who have grown and evolved alongside their beloved village. As the village continues to attract new residents and businesses, it seems poised to remain a vibrant and dynamic place, where the echoes of its pastoral past blend harmoniously with the promise of a bright future. As Soesdyke moves forward, it stands as an example of how progress and tradition can coexist, creating a rich tapestry of experiences for all who call it home.
The view of the Demerara River from Soesdyke
Lindon Gilks (Japheth Savory photos)
Taking a deeper look at Soesdyke
By Shaniya Harding
THE community of Soesdyke is well known, to say the very least. For many years, it has stood out as the primary road marker and vital pitstop for those travelling from Linden to Georgetown and down towards the sister village of Timehri. However, the community is more than booming businesses, bustling streets, and vibrant shops; it has a rich past. It is a community built on family values, evolving from a settlement of agricultural homesteads built by Guyanese from all corners of the country to what it is today. The Soesdyke of today is a bright, bustling, and captivating place full of life, welcoming people,
is a diverse mix of people. Val’s mother ventured all the way from St. Vincent and the Grenadines where she was born and raised. Although lucky to call the beauty of St. Vincent home, Val’s mother sought to raise her children in what was called ‘BG’ at the time.
and thousands of unique stories of its residents.
Most days, Val Bristol sells passersby and strangers alike her famous doubles, complemented by a warm, welcoming smile. Raised in Soesdyke, her family, like so many Guyanese families,
As Val explained, she was born in St. Vincent but left at an early age. “My mother brought us, me and my siblings, here to Guyana. She brought us here because, in those days, people would leave when there was any problem on their island. It was six of us; I am the second one. My mother came when Guyana was still British Guiana and she met my father who was from Ann’s Grove.” Val and her siblings have all since returned to St Vincent, seeking to form a bond with the country of their birth. But Val says Guyana will always be home, regardless of where she goes or even where she was born.
The warm river breeze, caring villagers, and culture of togetherness are just a few
of the things that really make Soesdyke what it truly is -- a village where people take care of each other. These deep-rooted community values greatly influenced Val’s childhood. Her early days attending schools in neighbouring communities were primarily spent doing things familiar to most Guyanese and Caribbean youths: long days under the sun and in the sand and riversides were a major part of her cherished childhood memories.
Recounting a few of these experiences, she stated, “Growing up in Soesdyke was really nice. There were more children in the community. We had plenty of small children in the village. For example, my siblings and our neighbour’s daughter grew up like neighbours; that is how good we used to live. Everybody was like family; everybody was aunty and uncle.” This close-knit way of living has seemingly not only persisted, but has strengthened greater bonds
See Page XII
Val Bristol(Japheth Savory photos)
A quiet street in Soesdyke
Keeping the roots close And history even closer
When young and wild Cecil Desouza left Guyana while still in high school, he thought he had experienced all, or at least most, of what life could offer. But his first day in an American high school proved to be more shocking than he could have ever imagined. His Guyanese instincts and upbringing set off alarm bells as American children did not extend the same pleasantries and manners as they did back home. Countless other things would surprise Cecil, pushing him on a quest to find himself. He sought to understand his culture, country, and its ever-captivating past. Today, he says it’s important for everyone to understand who they are as people and as Guyanese. You should not let his American accent fool you; Cecil Desouza is as Guyanese as anyone else. Born and raised in the village of Soesdyke, Cecil is the grandson of an indentured immigrant and the father of an American basketball player. His journey began even before he was born, with his family’s roots coming from the captivating continent of Asia. As Cecil stated, “My family is an interesting one, and they have deep roots, and I know my roots. My grandmother was an Indian; she came all the way from Kolkata as an indentured servant more than a hundred years ago. She came here, and she had kids and so
on, until they got to me.”
However, Guyana is home to diversity, and Cecil had an upbringing that was characterized by plenty of fun and its fair share of challenges. The constant hustle and bustle of the Soesdyke of today was not always the norm for the people of the village. The community was once quiet, easy-going, and what many consider mundane or boring by today’s standards. But the Soesdyke of decades ago had a host of different things to offer, and children of the time had a very different idea of what fun is. As Cecil explained, his childhood was as exciting as the development and growth of the community: relaxed, fun, and centered around the people of the village. “My childhood in Soesdyke was great. I grew up here, and I went to school here; I did everything here. I had the best childhood here; we used to climb all these trees, swim in the canal and everything. Growing up in Soesdyke was great, the best.”
Guyana and the Caribbean, in essence, have a very polite way of interacting. Our ‘niceness’ extends to family, friends, and strangers alike and has even persisted so much so that it has become a culture, almost a tradition, to be polite to everyone we meet. This behaviour goes beyond pleasantries and is seen as a way of respecting each other, especially our elders. This is perhaps why
Cecil was shocked when he went out on his first day at an American school; students were not as nice to teachers, and the all-too-familiar ‘Good afternoon Aunty and Uncle’ was no longer there as a daily reminder that every Guyanese is, in some way, your family.
Cecil was understandably taken aback as a teenager in a new country that was nothing like his own, and it is still one of the many things he loves about his homeland. “There are not very many places where people would greet each other, especially not where I live over there, and that was a bit surprising, yes. But the biggest culture shock for me was seeing the children talk to the adults in their life, like parents and teachers.” This shock did not last long, however, and Cecil says he has come to grasp fully the customs of the United States and those of Guyana, always feeling more at home and far more at ease when back home under the warmth of the tropical sun.
Cecil has also taken a deep, vested interest in understanding his roots. Since childhood, his family’s past and people’s history have captivated him. It was not until he moved overseas that the significance of knowing who he is struck him. In a world as vast as this one, Cecil sought to understand himself. His dedication to understanding his family’s history and Guy-
ana’s past inspires others to explore their own backgrounds. Cecil’s experience demonstrates that embracing one’s cultural heritage can be a source of strength and guidance, especially when facing the challenges of life in a foreign
He explained that most of his understanding of his past was garnered through various years of travel and research. “I took time and sat to look at, research, and understand my people, the past, and myself. And every man should do the same, not just Guyanese.” Cecil is a firm believer in the fact that self-understanding and comprehension are the keys to self-development. Now Cecil returns to Guyana quite often, seeking comfort and peace of mind in the warmth of Guyana and its beautifully diverse people.
Cecil Desouza working om his Soesdyke home
From passion to profession
Soesdyke man talks about building, boats, minds and homes.
By Shaniya Harding
When Christopher Cornelius was still a small child, his grandfather crafted a unique wooden horse for him by hand. This seemingly simple gift ignited a passion that would lay dormant for years. It wasn’t until Christopher left his village of Dora that he took this passion and turned it into a livelihood. More than a year later, Christopher has made woodwork his profession,
crafting hundreds of beautifully intricate wooden staircases and kitchen cupboards, transforming his passion into a successful career.
The Pepperpot Magazine caught up with Christopher at his Soesdyke home, where he worked hard crafting statement pieces. He has called Soesdyke home for more than two decades but was born and raised in the riverside community of Dora, which is found some miles away. During most
of his time in Dora, Christopher was an educator, a profession he cherished. As he stated, “I used to teach in my village. I was the headmaster at Dora for the school for several years.”
As much as he undoubtedly loved his job teaching the children of Dora, Christopher sought to create a better life for himself and his family. He explained, “When I left Dora, my salary was 21,000 or something a month. And with the headmaster’s allowance and the
out-of-town allowance, that took it to 27,000 or something. That was in 2004.”
More than 20 years ago, Christopher left Dora to follow new pursuits. The father of one found himself among the streets of the rapidly developing community of Soesdyke. The move from
So when you come out back, you’ll be a bit energized.”
Since leaving his community, Christopher has been practising as a jack of all trades, performing many jobs around the village. But woodwork has been his real passion, with his skill and work becoming more well-known. Christopher’s passion for handcrafted wooden pieces began when he started building boats in his village. As he stated, “Iwork, and even though I was teaching in Dora, I used to make boats. I just developed that skill.” He further shared, “I remember when I was about three or four, my grandfather made a wooden horse for me, and I was inspired by that. I thinkless of what I’m doing, I will always have some time
pher was well-known, and now that he has shifted gears, his skills are still in high demand. Guyanese from all around the country have reached out to him.
Christopher stated, “I would normally get calls for kitchen cabinets, and stairs, I would
topher, as he stated, “Even when I’m out here, and I go into Dora, and I take a walk in the bush, it is like it sucks the stress out of you.
basically do finishing on homes, putting in moulding, I also make doors. But if it’s kitchen cabinets and certain parts of the stairs that would
shrink, I would use trim. Some of the most common things I make are stairs and kitchen cabinets and floors.” His role in the community is still often discussed, however. He was recently asked to join the Soesdyke Primary School’s Parent-Teacher Association. Christopher turned the position down, stating, “They wanted me to be head of the PTA, but I told them if I was going to be head of the PTA, I wasn’t just going to be a rubber stamp. They would have to do the things that I say have to be done.” He is, however, still deeply invested in the development of the Soesdyke community.
Collaboration is high on the list of things that Christopher would like to see in the village he has come to call home. He urges the community leaders to be more open to the villagers’ opinions and believes the villagers should be more vocal about their concerns and opinions. As he stated, “The things that affect this community in my mind is that remember, in every community, there is a CDC. There is a CDC here as well. I think this community, I think the persons in the community should be more involved or should be included, not more involved. Because they’re willing to be involved, but they’re not being included in the decision-making of the CDC.”
Christopher’s journey from educator to skilled woodworker is a testament to the power of following one’s passion. His story showcases the potential for personal growth and reinvention that exists within small communities like Soesdyke.
Christopher Cornelius(Japheth Savory photos)
One of Christopher’s pieces in progress.
THE EMANCIPATION SAGA, THE CONSPIRACY OF SPITE: FINAL EMANCIPATION MONTH EPISODE.
THE reluctant Emancipation was not an ideal blessed by the plantocracy that held power over the colony. Even the appointed Governors were subject to them; neither did it find favour with their super-rich plantation owners in London- that is not to say that the poor of London benefitted from them either. Frustrations propelled the manumitted Afro-citizens to seek their livelihoods in the capital of the colony, which their blood and sweat had cemented into being over the previous 200 years. But the owners of the Plantations also recognised that the skills of production lay with the expertise of the freed Africans. Thus they hatched conspiracies of divide and rule towards their aim.
One must note that it was the plantocracy whose scheming pushed the villagers towards providing services to then Stabroek. Some planters encouraged some villagers to plant sugar cane that the plantation would purchase, thus creating meaningful income towards the village, but also cultivated dependencies, as it was realised that the villages were unable to acquire the engineering support to develop their own sugar-producing mills. Some villages recorded having their own mills, at least in the postcards seen by this writer.
The planters, however, were bent on impoverishing the villages and retreating to the plantations to obtain cheap labour. The plantocracy used their influence to increase taxes on items imported that the free Afro-villages used -- wheat flour, cornmeal codfish, beef, rice, cloth fabrics etc., to cripple the Afro-community as Brian Moore outlined in ‘Themes of African Guyanese History’. Thus, from the first tax ordinance after Emancipation until the end of the century, consumer goods that were identified as used by the Emancipated community were heavily taxed, resulting in hardships, but I should add, not without resistance.
Taxation was directed at the areas of “portering, huckstering, shopkeeping, boats, cabs, mules and donkey carts”, all used by the African community business services, but those owned and used by the plantations were exempt from taxes. Successive Governors recognised that those licences discriminated against the Creoles in favour of the Portuguese, but the plantocracy’s divide and rule failed in the context of intended longevity without resistance and expected mass return to the Sugar plantations of the villagers and the wards of Stabroek. Governor Light confirmed that the temper of labourers was soured, and he admitted that remarks not of the civilised kind were made by groups of Creoles towards officials passing in carriages. The collaborative support of the merchants to the aims of the plantocracy enforced the mood of resistance that generated conflict and resulted in the Creoles’ stoning of Governor Philip Wodehouse on his way to the Stabroek wharf in July 1985.
EMANCIPATION and the intrigues of the era that followed are yet to be told, but, in closing, by the turn of the 18th century into the 19th the Afro-and Portuguese conflicts would ease into a more accommodating mood.
Taking a deeper look...
among neighbours, giving new meaning to “it takes a village to raise a child.”
In fact, this sense of community is how the community of Soesdyke was developed. According to reports from Val and a few other residents, much of Soesdyke was once owned as private land, with just a few families owning large plots. This soon changed with the growth in population and the introduction of new families. In an interesting and captivating display of community values, large landowners either gave, sold, or leased much of their land to the village’s newcomers. As Val explained, “Plenty of the land around this area was owned by a man named Crosbie. He sold and gave out land. That is how we have
Crosbie Street.”
The village’s past, forged from unity, can still be seen and felt in countless ways. Many more streets garner their names from people who have called the community home and have made some major contributions to making Soesdyke what it is today. The often unexplored parts of the village have streets named after many people; names such as Van-Doimen Street, Crosbie Road, and Chris Corner are more than markers on the road; they are reminders of good legacies amidst the community.
That adamancy to make an impact on the community continues to this day. One of Soesdyke’s most famous football fields is still privately owned land. As Val elaborates, “The
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young people in the village play football, and right now, the field they are playing on was given to them by one of the families in the country. The family is [sic] overseas, and they gave it to the community so that the children could use it.”
Soesdyke is a fantastic example of the fact that a community’s development rests on the backs of its people, or, as Guyanese would say, ‘One one dutty build dam.’ The Soesdyke of today is so bright and bustling that it has become synonymous with businesses. However, the community did not start this way. With the collaboration of thousands of people over decades, the community has earned its reputation, all because of a few neighbours who cared.
Advances in Mining for the Environment
Guyana’s National Development Strategy mandates that stringent environmental considerations must guide all steps taken toward national development. However, in previous years, these principles have not been effectively or efficiently practised within the mining industry. Positioned on the mineral-rich Guiana Shield, Guyana’s mining sector primarily focuses on extracting gold, bauxite, diamonds, and, more recently, oil and gas.
Mining has long been a cornerstone of Guyana’s economy, with bauxite and gold historically serving as the primary minerals extracted, creating jobs and generating significant revenue for the government. The industry has played a critical role in the nation’s economic development. Unfortunately, like many other countries, Guyana’s mining industry faces significant challenges, including environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
The environmental impact of mining is wide-ranging. Activities such as prospecting, exploration, construction, operation, maintenance, expansion, abandonment, decommissioning, and repurposing of mines can directly and indirectly affect environmental systems. Land-use changes due to mining operations often lead to deforestation, erosion, contamination of water bodies, alteration of soil profiles, and increased noise, dust, and emissions. These effects have been well-documented, with mining tailings—a byproduct of the extraction process— often being a primary cause.
Mining tailings consist of materials left behind after the commercially useful portions of the mined material have been extracted. These tailings can be hazardous, often containing radioactive, toxic, or acidic substances. To mitigate their environmental impact, tailings are typically stored in large dams. However, these dams can fail, leading to severe environmental consequences. The substances stored in tailings, such as cyanide, mercury, or arsenic—used in the extraction process— pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health.
To address these challenges, advancements in mining have increasingly focused on technologies that enhance the capabilities of regulatory agencies to monitor land degradation, water quality, and environmental protection.
Remote Monitoring
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role as a regulatory body in Guyana, recognizing the importance of continuously monitoring mining activities to assess and mitigate potential environmental impacts. To this end, the EPA employs cutting-edge technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools. By integrating remote sensing with GIS, the EPA gains enhanced geospatial data that is particularly valuable in hazardous or remote areas where traditional on-site monitoring may be challenging.
The EPA’s specialized and skilled team leverages these technologies to efficiently manage pollution reports, identify sources of contamination, and locate non-compliant mining operations. Through precise mapping of complaints to their respective regions, the agency can allocate resources and interventions more effectively, ensuring that critical areas receive
the needed attention.
One of the most significant advantages of remote sensing in mining is its ability to monitor and mitigate the environmental effects of mining activities. Remote sensing provides crucial data on land use changes, land cover, and water quality, which form the basis for enforcing environmental regulations and promoting sustainable mining practices.
The EPA has made considerable strides in advancing
GIS and remote sensing technologies in recent years. Adopting new sensor technologies, such as hyperspectral imaging and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), has enabled more precise and comprehensive data collection. These advancements allow the EPA to better assess and understand the complex interactions between mining activities and the environment.
SEE PAGE XIV
Advances in Mining...
As technology continues to evolve, the EPA remains committed to being at the forefront of innovation in environmental monitoring. The agency is investing in research and development to explore emerging technologies that complement GIS and remote sensing, promising even greater accuracy and efficiency in monitoring and regulatory efforts.
Moving Forward
Guyana’s mining industry, crucial to the nation’s economy, must balance its economic contributions with environmental sustainability. The historical lack of effective environmental practices has led to significant challenges, but technological advancements and stronger regulatory frameworks offer hope for a more sustainable future. By promoting responsible mining practices and fostering collaboration among regulatory agencies, mining companies, and local communities, Guyana can move towards a mining sector that drives economic growth and safeguards the environment for future generations.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: communications@epaguyana.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
‘Hostile Architectural’ designs should have no place in Guyana’s public spaces
Financial abuse needs more awareness
WITH modern architectural designs come some incomprehensible elements. Some of those elements are good, some are bad, and it also depends on your perspective. There is a concept of hostile or defensive architectural designs. It promotes antisocial, uncomfortable and limited use of public spaces. Some people will say this is necessary to prevent loitering, crime or uncleanliness. ‘Hostile architecture’ is where there are braces to lean on instead of benches to sit on. It is where spikes or bumps exist on sheltered surfaces. It is where seating is uncomfortable
WHEN you are defining the term “abuse”, do you ever consider financial abuse in those definitions? Often, when I listen to people discuss abuse, I rarely ever hear them mention the category of financial abuse. That can be for a lot of different reasons. Perhaps people are unfamiliar that a person can be financially abused, or they simply do not accept this as a type of abuse. Whatever the reason may be, there are many studies and statistics to prove that people all across the world are being financially abused. For me, the first thing that comes to mind is when the elderly have their money or assets tak-
and not spacious. These aren’t coincidently designed this way. They are deliberately designed to deter the destitute and homeless from dwelling in these spaces. Why do developers label these spaces as “public spaces” if they are not for the entire public? Clearly, it is meant only for some individuals and is a false advertisement.
making them stay in an abusive relationship. Studies have shown that in 99% of the domestic violence cases that occur, financial abuse is also present. Contrary to the belief that only impoverished people can be victims of financial abuse, this form of abuse does not only affect a specific target population. In most cases, financial abuse occurs in romantic relationships where an abusive partner restricts and limits their partner’s access or ability to spend money. The “allowances” will be fewer and fewer as months go by, and the victim is often forbidden from being employed.
The abuser may use manipulation, fear tactics or even physical abuse to force these ideologies onto the victim if they do not comply. Some cases are often so extreme that even access to purchase food or visit a doctor is affected. Most times, victims are unable to leave these abusive relationships because of their lack of finances, assets or even education on financial independence and literacy. Most times, when victims leave their homes they’re either forced into a shelter or they return to their abusive partner where homelessness is not a concern. This is a key issue that needs further attention on all levels. Money gives one a sense of security and stability. Abusers use it as a tactic to control victims. If victims don’t abide by or obey them, they lose that sense of security or stability by receiving limited or no money.
These designs of public spaces might be built as a deterrent for the destitute, but do you know they can also affect other people? Take into consideration the famous leaning bars in developed countries. A physically disabled person will be unable to sit if they cannot stand for prolonged periods because of the leaning bars. What about the elderly and children when they cannot sit in a comfortable public seat? How about when seats are deliberately made thinner in width or when deliberate hand-bars are placed so no one lays there? How can plus-sized individuals sit on these seats? Guyana is currently undergoing rapid transformation with the development of more public spaces in the mix. As such, I am writing this column to raise awareness of this architectural trend. I hope that Guyanese developers, architects, engineers, and the relevant authorities will make better decisions related to the design of public spaces.
The phenomenon of homelessness is no stranger to Guyanese streets. Many people will argue that
This creates an unhealthy dependency. Financial abuse may also come in the form of leaving people in debt unknowingly, stealing the victim’s property, false insurance claims, evading child support or refusing to pay bills. It is not black and white. There are many ways that people can become victims of financial abuse. As such, I am pleading with you all to consider spreading awareness of what financial abuse is and let victims realise that they are indeed victims. Money is used as a powerful tool of control and oppression, and I hope that financial abuse in all of its forms is addressed effectively and efficiently at all levels.
BLACK CROWS FLYING
BLACK CROWS FLYING III
SHE stood at the water’s edge, her torn dress swirling around her legs, a lone figure shrouded in the shadows of the night. A foreboding silence hung over the beach as the tamed wind gently lifted the dark tresses of hair falling over her face. A pretty face it was, streaked with sand and dry tears.
A young girl in pain, alone, at the beach in the dead of the night.
What happened to her?
The deep, haunting look in her eyes, the ashen face and colourless lips told a story of something cold.
Hushed were the wind and water as something bad unfolded the night before on the sandy beach. No one heard her cries, her pleas on the deserted beach and when they were gone, a young body was left on the sand, helpless and broken.
She turned and walked back to the mangrove trees, no footprints in the sand, for late that night the pain had ebbed away like the tide, and one last tear trickled from her eyes as she took her last breath.
“How did this happen?” she cried, “They were my friends, whom I trusted to take me home.”
Her heart beat no more, and the coal-black eyes shed no more tears, but she was not going into the light, not now. It was not her time. She did not have to die, not that way. Not for someone who revered God and had good values. She was a classical dancer and a teacher, recognised for her talent and as an educator, it was all wrong, her death.
She was supposed to have ridden home with her two friends, Aruna and Preity, that night after the cultural programme, but a late change of plans by them to go out with their boyfriends caused her to ride home instead with two male friends she knew very well. The other two boys she had met only once at a wedding reception, but they seemed like nice guys. On the way home, she had a bottle of fruit drink, and a slight drowsiness overcame her, which she thought was tiredness, but it must have been something else. She became dazed and did not notice the detour on the lonely road to the beach that would be deserted at that hour.
Betrayed by those who masqueraded as friends.
“Why? Where is my wrong?” were her soundless, agonising cries.
She looked up at the heavens and continued to cry, “You are my God. I believed in you. Where were you when I cried for help?”
The beach was silent as the lone figure sat with her head bent. There was no place in the world for her anymore.
“I died,” she moaned, “My mother and father have lost their little girl.”
A fisherman had discovered her body lying on the sand early the next morning. She stood there, unseen in her spiritual form, watching as the police cordoned off the area and canvassed the scene for clues. Word spread, and a crowd gathered, shocked and angry that such a horrible thing had happened to a decent young girl.
She had watched helplessly as her father, shocked beyond words, sank to his knees and broke down, crying as he looked at her lifeless body.
He had looked up at the heavens, his hands clasped, his voice breaking, “Why…why God? Why, my little girl?”
When the hours had gotten late last night, and she hadn’t yet come home, her phone turned off, and her mother experienced a deep feeling of dread, her father, brother and cousins had begun searching until daylight.
No one could console her father. What should she tell her mother, who was waiting at home battling her fears?
Even the heavens trembled that day at the mother’s cries for the child she had brought into this world, a blessing from
God.
How, then, did evil interrupt her life?
No one had an answer.
All the media houses carried the story, and shock rippled through her community and the nation. The boys who had given her a ride home were held for questioning, but they all stated that they knew nothing.
Their story was that she had received a phone call on the
way home and asked them to stop for someone else to pick her up.
She raised her head slowly and stood up, looking at the heavens, a burning passion of pain and anger in her voice, “I will not come home, not until I have destroyed the monsters who took my honour and my life.”
She stretched her arms out, and from the abyss of death and darkness, she screamed, unleashing fury and agony.
“I call on dark forces to lend me the evil power to destroy those spawned from evil, and for that, I will give you my soul.”
The sky rumbled, the water became restless, and the wind howled as she waited under the mangrove trees.
One night, two nights passed, then on the third morning, just before the break of dawn, as the high tide rushed across the sand and the wind whistled shrilly, four black crows appeared from the far horizon. She stood up, her coal-black eyes watching as the crows drew closer and closer and alighted on the mangrove trees. Her wait was over.
The dark abyss had answered her call to fight evil with evil.
“For each new day, now,” she vowed, “stones will bleed.”
A wake had been going on at her home, and friends, family and people from everywhere had been attending to express their sympathies. There was no comfort, though, to her deep-
ly grieving family, who just couldn’t process the fact that she was no more in their lives.
On the day of her funeral, she went back home in her spiritual form to comfort her family and to confront her killers. They would be in attendance, she knew, amongst the huge turnout of mourners.
THEY sat in deep silence for a long while, uncertain of what to do, fearful of her unbridled fury on a path of revenge.
“What do we do?” one of them asked.
All her friends were there, those who were true, who had regrets. She saw their tears, heard their shocked whispers as prayers and songs eulogized her life. She stood amongst her family, holding her mother’s and father’s hands, hugging her brother and sister, wiping their tears.
“How did she get such power?”
No one answered for a long time, and then another suggested, “My mother knows a good spiritualist from Suriname, so maybe he can give us some form of protection from her.”
“Good idea,” they all agreed, finishing the bottle of vodka.
But they were not aware of her presence. Her mother, though, seemed to sense something and whispered, “Aryana?”
The family turned to look at her mother, and she broke down crying, “She’s here with us. My baby is here.”
The father hugged her, helping her to stay strong as the highly emotional services paid tribute to their young daughter’s life and honouring her departed soul to guide her on her final journey.
The spiritualist arrived one week later, and during that week, the killers had some unnerving close mishaps on the road while driving. The distraction was the sudden appearance of the crows that caused three of their cars to be written off. Aryana was having fun watching their frustration, and she said, “Don’t worry. Your families have money, so you can buy more.”
A cynical smile played on Aryana’s lips as the viewing began, and she whispered, “It’s showtime.”
They related to the religious man the incidents with the crows and their fear of being wrongfully accused of a crime they didn’t commit.
“Our sons are innocent,” their mothers affirmed, “How can they be protected from this evil?”
“If they are innocent, they have nothing to fear,” the spiritualist assured them.
He closed his eyes and meditated for a long while, then took a sharp, uneasy breath after reopening his eyes.
Aruna and Preity just couldn’t stop crying. Such were their regrets for leaving her that night, but the fury burning in Aryana could not forgive them, so she threw out the fresh roses they brought for her. There were loud gasps from those close enough to see what happened, and the two friends stepped back, scared. Her killers were also approaching her coffin bearing red roses, and she called upon her emissaries of the dark world, “It’s time.”
“That dark force was called for from a place our spiritual minds can’t cross. The agony and anger of the one who made that call are so deep. It has become evil and deadly.”
“There must be something you can do,” the mothers pleaded.
The spiritualist could feel Aryana’s presence; he could feel her burning fury, and he got up hurriedly to leave.
The sight of the black crows, their loud cawing and wild fluttering wings, created a frightening scene as they flew circles around her coffin, then among the mourners who scattered to avoid the vicious birds. The birds were gone as fast as they came, but left in their wake were fear and shock. Never had anything of that nature happened at a funeral service. What could have triggered something so ominous was the burning question.
“Sorry, there’s nothing I can do.”
Aryana watched her killers hurriedly leave and smiled, cold fury in her eyes, “It’s just the beginning.”
To be continued…
Families and true friends were still praying for her soul to ascend to heaven and rest in peace, but none she heard, for her soul now belonged to the dark force. Her mother’s voice, though, was heard from afar.
“Please, my baby, come into the light.”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” was all she could say.
The media continued to follow the story, giving regular updates to the nation that put the police under tremendous pressure for answers from their investigations. Not long after, the four of them were picked up for further questioning, but they stuck to their story of the mystery guy who took her home. They did not crack under the intense questioning because of their high-profile lawyers.
“Money is playing a big role here now,” Aryana stated as she sat under the mangrove tree on the lonely beach, “But the end will come soon, and when it does, it will be unforgettable.”
In the meanwhile, the sound of the crows could still be heard and for all those who believed, they knew her restless soul was still around. Aruna and Preity hardly went out anymore, breaking up with their boyfriends, and whenever they went out, fear and regret always remained in their eyes. One bad decision had caused them to lose their best friend and in such a horrific way.
“If only we can rewind time,” Aruna expressed.
“Yeah, if only,” Preity sighed, “She would be here laughing and chatting with us.”
Tears filled the eyes of both girls as they went back to their homes, their spirits broken. Aryana felt no empathy for them, for her heart was dark and cold. She was no longer in their
BLACK CROWS FLYING...
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world and would no longer dance, laugh, or smile.
“Now, I just wait,” she voiced to the wind, sand and sea.
Not long was her wait before the lab results came back and were conclusive enough for the police to charge the four young men with her murder. The news shocked the community and captured the interest of the nation, as the four accused were sons of well-known, influential figures in society.
The press and electronic media ran the story like a drama series, and the caption read, “Her soul will now find peace.”
But it was long from over.
The boys’ lawyers were already preparing a case to prove their innocence. Aryana listened to everything and smiled cynically, “We will see about that.”
A huge crowd gathered in front of the courthouse as they were brought in for the start of the case. Throughout the proceedings, everyone heard the cawing of the crows and the judge, lawyers and jury looked around with a little unease.
The crowd outside cheered the crows, and the judge ordered all windows and doors to the courtroom to be closed. The atmosphere in and outside of the courtroom was charged, as though everyone was expecting something dramatic to happen.
Something beyond the world was indeed about to happen!
The prosecutor had wrapped up her arguments and presented her case to the jury, but then the defence addressed the jury. Their lies found loopholes in the prosecutor’s case. Aryana called her emissaries, who alighted outside the glass windows. She did not send them in to create havoc but went in herself through the closed door with a heavy gust of wind that blew papers all over the room.
The smell of death filled the air as her vision appeared, sending everyone in shock. She stood there in her torn dress, tears and sand on her face, bruised lips, wounds on her shoulders and arms. There was soft crying and stifled gasps, for the scene was not a movie or a dream. It was real. It was now her time to present her case.
She lifted her hand, pointing to her killers, who had horrified looks on their faces, and one of the mothers screamed, “No, it’s not my son”!
The fury burning inside of Aryana unleashed with all its force as she screamed, the power of that sound pitching the woman across the courtroom. The piercing scream shattered the windows and the crows flew in, attacking her killers, tearing at their flesh and clothing until they broke down, confessing to their crime.
“Stop, please stop,” cried the one who had drugged her.
“We drugged, assaulted and killed her. I’m so sorry,” he cried, down on his knees, blood all over him.
Aryana raised her hand, and the crows stopped their attack. She flew out back through the windows and looked at her mother and father, who were crying in grief. She smiled and left the courtroom.
The images, videos and witness testimonies of the havoc she created in the courtroom shocked the community and nation beyond words.
It was something beyond anyone’s wildest imagination that a restless, angry soul could unleash such dark power.
“Unforgettable,” she had said.
She stood at the water’s edge as dusk approached, looking at the far horizon. Heaven’s soft light still shone as the angels waited, but the angels of the dark force also waited.
“Aryana,” her mother’s soft voice spoke,” You’re a good girl. Heaven is your home. You do not belong in the dark world.”
“I have no choice, Mom,” she said in a voiceless whisper.
“I used evil to fight evil.”
She closed her eyes, “I’m sorry, Mom, that I’ve caused you so much grief, but the lord wouldn’t have empowered me to avenge my death, so I sold my soul to the devil.”
She heard her mother crying helplessly, and she wished she could wipe her tears and comfort her, but she must now leave to keep her end of the bargain. She opened her eyes and beheld a bright light that had awaited her since that tragic night, and the dark angels were gone.
She gasped as the light touched her and she looked at her mother, who could now see her in that heavenly moment.
“How did this happen, mom?”
“I never stopped praying for you to find peace because your heart is filled with love and compassion, my sweet child.”
The light disappeared, and as the mother stood on the beach where her beautiful child’s body had lain in the sand, she felt a feeling of peace within herself.
She saw white doves flying on the horizon.
REVISITING THE TOPIC OF MANGROVES
THIS column will again touch on Mangroves because of its importance historically, socially and economically.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) - A WICKED CRIME THAT MUST ALWAYS BE COMBATED
When the Dutch colonisers first visited Guyana in the 17th century, they observed that Mangroves were growing along the entire coast, in some parts so thick that they could be considered mangrove forests.
THOUGH Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is such a heinous crime and affects more than 50 million people worldwide, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge of it among the general public. The main reason for this is the clandestine nature of the crime, and this lack of clear visibility allows it to be blended into the flow of ordinary life so that one is not aware of the constituents of the crime and the many
The Dutch first settled on the coast and utilised the mangrove as a convenient and easy source of wood for house building, fires for cooking, and even for making boats and rafts. Only when they had cut down large stretches of mangrove and the sea had begun to come up on the land did they understand the importance of mangroves as an effective defence against the sea and flooding. They held up to their mangrove depletion, and to avoid the threat of constant flood
ing, they began to move their settlements to the river banks towards the end of the 18th century. In 1815, when Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice finally ceded to Britain, they were united in 1831 to form the colony of British Guiana.
forms it can take, and even potential victims are unaware of their danger.
In the Laws of Guyana, by Act no.2 of 2005, Trafficking in Persons is defined as “ the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person through force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or payments to exploit the person”. No definition could fully
The British developed their colony much faster than the Dutch. Like the Dutch, they empoldered their agricultural land and built sea defences, but it was only in the 20th century, with the growth of Ecological Studies and a deeper understanding of the environment, that the full importance of mangroves came to be grasped.
The United Nations recognised the importance of mangroves by declaring a Mangrove Day each year with a relevant motto. In this year 2024, the motto is “Mangroves matter. Safeguarding our Coastal Guardians for tomorrow”.
Though this motto identifies the most important function of mangroves, that is to guard against the flooding by the sea and tidal waves and make the soil less fertile when it would have been impregnated with salt; other positives emanate from mangroves.
Mangroves provide a home for bees as well as feeding grounds since a large number of flowering plants grow among the mangroves. When hives are established in the vicinity, they provide bountiful honey supplies. Consumers much value mangrove honey.
describe a crime as complex as a Guyana legal definition, but it is adequate. This manifests itself as Slavery and in all its various guises of forced labour; Sexual servitude - forcing persons to be engaged in sexual activity, forcing persons to be engaged in prostitution, including practices like pimping and pandering, profiting from sexual activities including running brothels and pornography; child pornography and child servitude; and illicit removal of human organs. When these definitions and descriptions translate into actuality, their horrific nature is seen and understood. Before giving examples of the crime of TIP, it is useful to know what causes the crime.
Mangroves are a carbon sink and enhance Guyana’s efforts against climate change. They provide a livelihood for many coastal communities, one food resource being the varieties of fish that live among the mangroves. They are an ecotourism attraction with the rich biodiversity that mangrove forests offer, and the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture are cooperating in this development. Mangrove restoration and preservation support several sustainable development goals (SDGs), to the degree that Guyana is seriously committed to achieving them.
TIP victims are found among low-income families and communities, among the uneducated, in situations of war and other widespread displacement of persons, in broken or unhappy homes where children are neglected, in very unhappy social and familial milieus which force children to run away, and in every community, there are predators ranging from confidence tricksters to kidnappers who prey upon victims.
At the recent function of unveiling the plaque at the Kingston Seawall Esplanade in commemoration of International Mangrove Day 2024, the Minister of Agriculture summarised the importance and impact of Mangroves: “Mangroves are our coastal guardians, vital to Guyana’s environmental and economic health”, he said, “they act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and surges, protecting our communities and infrastructure. With over 23,000 hectares of Mangroves, they support fisheries, livelihoods, and food security and provide habitats for diverse wildlife… Mangroves are important in sequestering carbon, enhancing efforts against climate change as outlined in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030”.
Sometimes commentators and journalists use the terms “trafficking” and “smuggling” interchangeably, though they are very different. Smuggling of millions of persons is at present occurring in Europe where people from Third World countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Nigeria pay people smugglers a fee to take them to gateways of Europe, mainly Italy and Turkey. Others cross the English Channel from France in flimsy craft arranged by people smugglers and illegally land in England. The relationship between the smuggler and the person smuggled is contractual and ends when the smuggled person reaches one of the “gates” of Europe.
The State has developed a 10-year National Mangrove Action Plan and an Inter-Agency Committee dedicated to promoting sustainable Mangrove management, and over 500 hectares of mangrove have been restored. Since 2010, over $1.9 billion has been invested in mangrove preservation and restoration, and regular injections of money are expected to be made as required. For example, $275 million has been allocated this year to rehabilitation initiatives in Regions Two and Five.
With regards to TIP, the relationship between victim and predator is a longer one. For example, a child soldier in Africa has to remain with his captor indefinitely, or a woman caught in commercial prostitution could be victimised for years. Most of the victims of TIP are females, over 80%, and they are forced into prostitution or various forms of unpaid labour. Most of the remainder are children, with a small number of males. These victims are invariably beaten and maltreated, and sometimes their bodily organs are removed and sold. The traffickers lure their victims with the promise of work, education, and a better life, which leads to the victims finding themselves entrapped into conditions from which they cannot escape.
The Guyana Association of Women Judges (GAWJ) has been quietly working to raise awareness of TIP, and in a recent media release, it speaks of the characteristics of survivors and the help they may obtain:”Survivors suffer immense trauma, enduring physical, emotional and psychological scars that can last a lifetime. Recognising that survivors are often in dire need of shelter, food, legal assistance, social support and psychological treatment, the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act provides a range of protective measures to support their recovery and reintegration into Society.”
In Guyana, the vast majority of Trafficking in Persons and the crimes associated are found in three areas: among the large Venezuelan refugee population- mainly prostitution and exploitation of labour; in the countryside among the youth who are mired in poverty, with little education and absence of parental support so they are lured into prostitution and labour exploitation; and in the Mining districts where the main crime associated with TIP is prostitution. With the increase in knowledge of TIP among the public and the bureaucracy, law enforcement by the police in these targeted areas is becoming more alert and vigilant, and there is expected to be more TIP control and prosecutions.
‘Hostile Architectural’...
FROM PAGE XV
our public spaces should be free of the destitute. Some might say that it will deter tourists and further development. I do agree that the destitute do not belong in public spaces, but in the same breath—they should not be living in any public space to begin with. These arguments deflect from the actual burning issue of homelessness and its impact on our society. This architectural design should have no place in Guyana’s modern development. The issue is not the destitute finding a home in these spaces—the real issue is a lack of shelters, increasing rates of drug abuse, untreated mental illnesses and a limited amount of mental health services. All of these underlying issues and more are not holistically addressed.
So, instead of our developers being concerned about deterring the homeless, how about we develop more affordable housing, mental hospitals and care facilities? How about we holistically reduce the unemployment rates even more? How about we introduce homeless shelters in all ten regions of Guyana? This architectural design is the complete opposite of what a public space should be. Let’s holistically address homelessness and all its causes. I have not observed any such design in Guyana, and I hope it remains that way. It will be absolutely heartbreaking if that ever happens, but I can assure you that I will continue my advocacy against it if that ever happens.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The lunatic, the
STUDY SUCCESS
Dear Student,
Welcome dear reading friend. This other exercise will strengthen your handling of chronological sequence stated or implied in a passage. Given a jumbled list of events essential to understanding a passage, you are then asked to reorder them chronologically. This necessitates your constant reference to the text to find out when exactly the various events took place. Note that regularly and skillfully relating a text to a document, and
AUGUST 25, 2024
making inferences, will help you become a better reader. Be wise.
Love you.
THE PASSAGE
Reading for responding to set questions
There are questions designed to see how skillfully you have read and processed (called parsing) text information and to demonstrate that you have both read and understood it. This is called comprehension.
But note that you use comprehension skills freely all the time in everyday life. For example, when you work out what a sign means, watch a film or listen to a talk.
Pay attention to the passage below carefully and respond to all the questions set after it.
Family members develop a healthy foundation when they learn to communicate with each other in an honest and open way. When conflict does arise, the family that has developed healthy communication habits can work through and resolve the issue that develops. This means that family members are able to listen quietly and understand most, if not everything another family member is saying, verbally and nonverbally. When these conditions exist, the chance of misunderstanding is lessened.
Families are important in our lives because they create, clarify and develop our first concepts of relationships. They provide a sense of belonging and support, encouraging learning about relationships, provide mental models of friendship, and help to shape views of romantic relationships. But like all relationships, families experience conflict which can be a source of frustration.
There should be appreciation of relationship individually, but all family members should be seen as important people in life. Improving communication in families requires listening and oral communication skills. Conflict should be handled constructively and openly with realistic expectations. When conflict does arise, it is critical to manage differing opinions and opposing views sensitively.
1. According to paragraph 1, what is one condition that must exist for families to work out their problems?
2. What is meant by each of the following phrases: “healthy communication habits,” “work through
and resolve issues that develop,” “anything another family member is saying verbally and nonverbally” in paragraph 1?
3. According to paragraph 2, what are TWO benefits of families?
4. Explain as explicitly as you can the term “listening and oral communication skills” in paragraph 3, that families require.
THE POEM
You will find that some poets use personification of the natural world in their work of art. They describe a natural force as though it possesses human qualities. Remember that personification is a figure of speech in which an animal, an object, a natural force, or an idea is given personality, or described as if it were human. Look at Percy Bysshe Shelley’s stanza from his poem, “The Cloud.” See if you can determine what kind of personality Shelley has given the speaker. I bring showers for the thirsting flowers, From the seas and the streams; I bear light shade for the leaves when laid In their noonday dreams.
From my wings are shaken the dews that waken The sweet buds every one, When rocked to rest on their mother’s breast, As she dances about the sun.
I wield the flail of the lashing hail, And whiten the green plains under, And then again I dissolve it in rain, And laugh as I pass in thunder.
Analysing and interpreting the poem:
1. This poem gives the cloud’s (the speaker’s) point of view which relates its different functions. How are purpose (function) and meaning attributed (assigned) by Shelley to these actions?
2. What characteristics does he attribute to the cloud?
3. This stanza is certainly descriptive (vivid, graphic, pictorial). Explain to your study partner why you support this statement.
READING: Context clues
Context clues are helpful hints the writer gives you, the reader, to find out the meaning of a word. You need to look carefully at the other words in the sentence to get the word meaning right.
Hurricane Charley, a category four storm with winds up to 145 miles per hour, moved in from the Gulf of Mexico and struck southwest Florida on August 13, 2004. Before it hit, newscasters warned residents that the formidable storm was approaching. People who lived in certain areas had to evacuate to be safe. The hurricane made landfall at Fort Myers, a southwest Florida city, and then tracked across the state. Then, the hurricane moved out into the Atlantic and northward along the east coast.
1. What does “formidable” mean?
A) forthcoming B) disturbing C) powerful D) tropical
2. All the context clues help you determine the meaning of “formidable” EXCEPT
A) residents had to evacuate to be safe B) 145 mph winds
C) the direction of the storm was northeast
D) newscasters issuing a warning to residents
Those who fear dental treatment
If we are to believe women’s magazines and bathroom chats, the world is almost solidly composed of people who are dental phobic and who “hate” dentists. Except for the United States, where lawyers are in the number one slot, dentists are the professionals that people hate to consult. But patently, it is not true. So where does all this phobia stuff begin? It’s easy to tell when someone has such a phobia: they enter the surgery with much the same technique as a well-trained combat soldier while sussing out a room potentially full of snipers or a presidential bodyguard reconnoitring for assassins. They shuffle in with their backs to the wall, eyes rebounding off everything that moves.
A former high school colleague asked me what are dentists’ general opinions of patients when they (the patients) meet to socialise. The people who mostly fear dental treatment (phobic) dominate the conversation.
“You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” they say, quivering. You are tempted to answer something like, “Not from this distance, no” but you refrain. “What’s that then?” they say, feverishly pointing to something you are holding, partly inadvertently behind you, in your hand. “That”, you reply sympathetically, “is what we dentists call a registration form. “Well, it breaks the ice, at least.
Then you smile as broadly as possible without seeming leery and invite them to take a seat. The chances are that your surgery is not particularly spacious. At least mine isn’t. It is taken up almost completely with the infamous dental chair and scary-looking apparatuses, perhaps reminiscent of a modern torture chamber (or so most patients think) and computer equipment. So what is the question that the patients ask next? “Where shall I sit?”
They often apologise for being silly, and you start to pity them as you plunge into their medical and dental history. Then comes the moment when you must do something for them. The chat is over for now, and it is action time. They sense it immediately. “What are you going to do to me now?” they ask and you explain that you first have a look around inside their mouth. They then try the next ploy. What about having a needle in your arm and going to sleep?
It does sound like a marvellous solution. The only trouble is that the patient means for them to put out for the duration, not you. Again, you patiently explain that all you want to do (for now, anyway) is to examine the mouth. “All I’ve got in this hand is a mirror. Okay?” “Okay, but what’s on the other hand?” They apologise again. Eventually, you get to have a peek at their mouth. This is accompanied by the mandatory amount of arm grabbing, asking you to stop while they swallow, and the occasional cough thrown in for good measure.
When the examination is finally completed you explain the treatment plan and the cost. You get the impression that with the extent that the patient may be prepared to cooperate and allow you to work properly, the sessions could stretch to your retirement party.
Dentists value the quality of work they produce, and since the overall behaviour of the patient in the chair has a lot to do with the final product, and therefore the dentist’s reputation, dental phobics could represent an occupational hazard. How many patients realise that the more they fear the dentist and resist the dental procedures, the worse the general outcome of their treatment. Usually, when we talk about dental phobia, the assumption is that we are referring to patients’ fear of the dentist, but sometimes, it may be the other way around.
