Guyana_Chronicle_Pepperpot_26_12_2021

‘Wish Upon a Star’ this Christmas

The recently launched ‘Wish Upon a Star’ initiative was conceptualised by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud to fulfill the dreams of children with special needs during the festive season. The initiative targeted children between the ages of four and 14 with special needs, such as those living with disabilities; children who would’ve experienced some traumatic or psychological incident in their life; who have lost their parents and do not have guardians or caregivers; and who would’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy that one gift that could make them incredibly happy (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security).

December 27, 2021

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Generosity at Christmas time

By Dillon Goring IT is always joyous, rewarding and satisfying to give back to the community at this festive time of the year.

Just to see the joy on children’s faces as they receive their gifts from those of us who care is a present itself! With Christmas just behind us, one local company reflected on the joy of seeing smiles brought to children through a recent toy drive they conducted.

The Pepperpot Magazine sat down with two staff members of C T Williams Technologies to talk about their annual toy drive, which was recently undertaken to give toys and gifts to the less fortunate children of various communities of the country.

Marketing Director Priya Lall explained that the activity is a very important one to the company during the Christmas season.

“We believe in giving to our community… we understand the harsh reality that some of the communities face, having visited these communities ourselves.

When we visited those communities, it changed our lives forever [along with] the impact that our effort has on the lives of children,” Lall pointed out during her interview.

Executive Assistant Treavon Hawker added that the company tailored all of their activities to meet the needs of children during this time.

“It is one thing to just give a toy to a child, but it is another thing to hug them, to embrace them and to let them know that you care.

I believe C T Williams has been doing and will continue to do throughout the year,” Hawke added during his interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

This is the second year

that the company is giving back to communities across the country, but this time, the

emphasis was on a more connective and interactive time with the children, including

having Santa to interact with the children who received their gifts.

“When you see the joy a child experiences when they have a gift, it warms your heart and it connects you with a deeper place within yourself that you didn’t even know existed.

But I must say that we aren’t just impacting the lives of children now with our technological services, children’s lives are forever being touched,” Hawke added, conveniently referring to the company’s list of services.

He noted that based on the reviews from last year’s exercise, lots of children and their parents would have been super excited about their gifts received from the company.

The life-changing stories, particularly from the parents’ perspective are even more exciting and impactful, given the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Guyanese Celebrating Christmas Down Under

By Francis Quamina Farrier

IT has always been said that wherever you go, you will find a Guyanese. That is a fact in many cities in far-away Australia. There are Guyanese residing in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, among other locations in Australia. I contacted the celebrated artist Tony Phillips, who is based in Melbourne, and found out how he and other Guyanese are celebrating the festive season 2021, even as the COVID-19 pandemic is still swirling around the world, including Australia.

For Tony Phillips himself, 2021 was a great year. He enjoyed much better health than was the case in 2020, and he continues to produce

profitably with his work as an artist. During the year, Tony Phillips also published a book, titled, “The Nation Builders - A Dome Mural in Guyana”; the book is embellished with many photographs, which highlight the images of the celebrities which are painted in the dome of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry on Water Street, Georgetown.

Those images were painted

by Tony Phillips and his Queens College colleague, Stanley Greaves, since the bank was known as Barclays Bank, during the British colonial era.

I will go out on a limb and ask the question, “How many past and current students of Queens College in Georgetown are aware that those ‘Michael Ange-

lo-type’ paintings were done by two former QC students?”

Sending a few copies of the

Tony Phillips and his wife Schavana, just after her PhD graduation ceremony

book to colleagues, the artist attached the following note, “Sharing the book with you has given me endless pleasure at this time of the year. I feel like Santa a bit.”

There has been great feedback from some of those who have bought copies of Tony Phillips’ book, “The Nation Builders,” to which he adds, “...especially from those with higher education who can recognise the research and general effort that the book would have required in order to do justice to the original painting.”

There has been much lamentation of the lack of recorded Guyanese history in many areas of high achievement in more recent times. Looking back to the glorious days of productions at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Georgetown, Phillips mentions to the famed Guyanese and Caribbean theatre personality, Ken Corsbie, that the recent hit film production of the musical “West Side Story” by the famed movie director Stephen Spielberg, reminded him of the Theatre Guild production of that popular musical of many years ago.

How many Guyanese of today are aware of the grand productions which were staged at the Playhouse and that there were at least six major productions there every year back in the day, and at a time when actors did it “for the love of it” and never expected nor wanted

to be paid. Added to that, those productions were of an extremely high professional standard which could have been readily transferred to a stage in the theatre districts of London in England or New York City great white way.

There was added enjoyment for Tony Phillips during 2021, when his wife Schavana, gained her PhD. He is also planning to have a Zoom session across the miles with his relatives, friends and colleagues who

are domiciled all around the world, early in the new year. And this is how he ended his Christmas greetings from his home in Melbourne; “Cheerio for now, and do have a most enjoyable Christmas 2021. Ah gone.” Tony Phillips, former QC student, Guyanese to de bone, and keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high, not only at Christmas time, but all the year ‘round. And from me to you, “Happy Holidays!”

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Affordable luxury and glamour Glamp Camp GY will plan any special event for you

By Telesha Ramnarine ASHMIN John especially loves a small, cozy gathering whenever it’s time to celebrate something dear to her, so it was perhaps this aspect of her personality that fuelled her desire to carve out a business idea that would help her cater for others who feel the same way.

the events aspect of Ashmin’s business, came into being, with an office at Lot 48 High Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown. Premised on making entertainment and other events affordable - while at the same time offering something more glamorous and luxurious - the business is thus made accessible to more people.

Speaking with Pepperpot

Proprietor Ashmin John

Working in marketing for years, Ashmin has coordinated numerous campaigns and events for major companies and so knew exactly what she wanted her side business to turn into. The right time came during the pandemic when people generally started preferring smaller gatherings.

And so Glamp Camp GY,

Magazine a few days ago, Ashmin explain just what her business is all about. Currently offering luxury picnics and outings, Ashmin would most times single-handedly (or at times with the help of temporary staff) do all the planning and coordinating for the couple or small group of friends.

“These are designed for small groups who want something a bit more glamorous but don’t necessarily want to go into hosting an entire event,” she explained, adding, “The picnics are tastefully designed so that they fit into the Instagram culture; artistically designed to fit this need where people like to take and post photos.”

Ashmin makes it a point to ensure that every package she offers is affordable.

There’s the Proposal/Picnic package, the Date Night package, Champagne and Charcuterie package for six, and other packages that can be customised for an anniversary or other special celebration.

According to her, more exciting and practical packages are coming in January.

“I like just having a small group when I am celebrating anything, and I’m sure there are lots of persons out there like me,” she expressed.

This concept, she noted from research, has surged in other countries because of the COVID-19 pandemic and people’s need for smaller, more intimate events. So this being the new trend in many developed countries, Ashmin thought that she could bring the same thing home to Guyana.

“I wanted to carve out a new niche in the country, and I wanted to know what different I can bring,” she

Glamp Camp GY can plan and coordinate any special celebration

The picnics are tastefully designed

said. With a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in hand, Ashmin has been working in marketing over the past 11 years and has learnt the art of organising visually appealing events. So her new business of creating events that are appealing to the eyes is no difficult task for her.

Ashmin has been working on her side business for a few years now, but it was only this year that she decided to concentrate all of her efforts

towards it. “It has been challenging but very fulfilling.

You’re pretty much writing your own pay cheque and the energy put in is what you will get out,” she expressed.

Ashmin has researched new trends internationally and found that this one can help her in the areas in which she wants to grow. While she thoroughly enjoyed her full-time job, she now has the scope to go beyond just doing one thing over and over.

She is especially thankful for the critique received at the Accelerate Her Booth Camp by the Centre of Local Business Development.

“I really needed a platform for rigorous critique, so I shared my ideas with the business professionals and their responses were what helped me fine-tune my plans. They were instrumental in my moves forward,” Ashmin said.

Ashmin’s business of creating events that are appealing to the eyes is no difficult task for her

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

A taste of ballet

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- 26 years of classical and modern displays from ‘Let’s Dance, Dance Studio’

By Telesha Ramnarine NADIA Jagan began her ballet training when she was just eight years old at the Newbert Ballet School in New York City. Undergoing extensive training and then sharing in teaching the art at prestigious institutions, Jagan decided to come home to start up what would be the country’s first trained ballet school.

Founded in 1995, the Let’s Dance, Dance Studio accepts students from ages 3+ to adults and specialises in classical ballet, along with modern, jazz, hip hop, Bollywood, and other styles.

It’s been over 26 years now, and Jagan is still very much continuing to keep ballet alive in Guyana. She has everything that it takes to be successful in the field: while in the performing arts overseas, she received fine academics, dance training and also attended music, staging, lighting, makeup and acting classes.

She was accepted in the Newbert Junior Ballet Company and began performing throughout Manhattan before auditioning for the famous

The school encourages young dancers to bring forth their creativity

High School of the Performing Arts. She was one out of 4,000 students selected to fill only 40 dance spaces!

Her most memorable achievement was being a member of a small group of dancers selected to represent America at the Spoleto Performing Arts Festival in Italy.

Two years before her return to Guyana, she was teaching and choreographing West-

further enriches the dance experience and appreciation for dance,” Jagan told Pepperpot Magazine.

The school further encourages young dancers to bring forth their creativity and explore beyond traditional dance.

“As a school, we’ve accomplished so much over the years from the beginning,” Jagan observed, adding, “ ‘Let’s Dance’ has volunteered and provided a number of scholarships for dancers at our studio.”

Having attended the High School of Performing Arts and being awarded a scholarship to attend Alvin Ailey Dance School, Jagan was poised to start up her own school in Guyana.

Her dancers have had the opportunity to perform at many places across the country, including Berbice, Giftland Mall, the Prime Minister’s residence, and the National Culture Centre. The school has also done workshops with teachers from the USA and Cuba.

According to Jagan, the intention is for the school to expand its social and cultural interaction. “It is to provide an overall community feeling for all dancers across the country by applying a variety of approaches to the understanding and valuing of dancers and performing through collaboraSEE PAGE XV

minster Dance Studio in New Jersey and when she came back to Guyana, that was the beginning of ‘Let’s Dance.’

“At ‘Let’s Dance’, the art of dance develops the knowledge and skills required to create, perform and understand movement as a means of artistic communication. We exposure [sic] our dancers to history, cultures and movement theories that

Founded in 1995, the ‘Let’s Dance, Dance Studio’ accepts students from ages 3+ to adults

It’s been over 26 years now, and Jagan is still very much continuing to keep ballet alive in Guyana

‘Let’s Dance’ specialises in classical ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, Bollywood, and other dance styles

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Samaroo Dam The village of bountiful mangoes

Samaroo Dam Village (Delano Williams)

By Michel Outridge This week the Pepperpot Magazine journeyed over land, over the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) to the agricultural village of Samaroo Dam Village, West Bank Demerara.

SAMAROO Dam is situated between Malgre Tout and Plantain Walk.

This village runs deep down a long, winding, recently upgraded all-weather road, which is about a mile and a quarter way down to

the savannah area, where rice lands are plentiful.

Samaroo Dam is also called ‘Mango Dam,’ because of the different variety of mango trees which seem to be always bearing and have some huge roots and trunks, said to have been planted by

Focus on the Village

the Dutch. The locals would pick the mangoes and make achar and other local dishes such as mango curry and “gurumba.”

The village has a rich history that dates back to the Dutch days, and today the Pouderoyen Koker, built in 1823 by the Dutch, is being preserved by the Best/Klein Pouderoyen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

The Koker was re-painted, and it serves as one of the many historical sites in the village.

Down the long, winding road there are two silk cotton trees still standing there.

The population of Samaroo Dam is about 5,000 and it is a mixture of East Indians and Afro Guyanese residing side by side in this countryside village.

The village has two sides, north which is Killerny and south which is Samaroo Dam and it has several alleyways and a portion of a squatting area.

It was a place of mostly farmlands that was converted

into a housing scheme in the 1960s.

It was then named after one of the rice mill owners, Samaroo, and today the village still has a history of rice-farming. Sections of the savannah area are utilised for large-scale rice cultivation.

The village also cultivated sugar cane, which was done by the Vieiras of Versailles, a neighbouring village, but sugar cane cultivation ceased recently.

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The people of Samaroo Dam

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Rickford Allicock’s home

By Michel Outridge RICKFORD Allicock is an elder of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara and these days, he is enjoying his golden years at home, having

spent most of his adult life as a seaman.

The 66-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been living in the village for the past 42 years, and he is originally from Saxacalli, Essequibo River.

Sultan Rasool

He got married and relocated to Samaroo Dam Village and has been there ever since.

Allicock stated that life is how you make it, and in that village things are good, except for the constant blackouts and flooding due to the excessive rainfall.

The retiree disclosed that he is the father of five, and he really likes the village because it is quiet and breezy, and the people are friendly and cooperative.

Allicock noted that with all his children grown, he is in the company of two grandsons and a son, who plies his trade as a meat seller in the interior.

Last week he took a trip with his son and while they were descending a steep hill in Itaballi their, vehicle had an accident but luckily no one was injured, but the vehicle is badly damaged.

Allicock reported that his wife is overseas like most of his children, but he likes Guyana and here is where he will stay.

The village elder pointed out that from time to time, he goes to his home village to vis-

Rickford Allicock and his dog, Stoby (Delano Williams photos)

it his relatives, his siblings.

His parents passed away in the 1980s, and of six siblings, four have since passed on.

Allicock has two dogs as pets; one is Stoby, a playful but alert watchdog, and he also has a macaw.

The Liming Spot Nicola Ross is a resident of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

She would assist her sister in their small business, cooking and selling fish/chips, fried chicken and chips.

They also have a small shop, and they sell cold beverages too.

The 33-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been residing in the village for the past 10 years and she likes it there, so far.

Ross added that she used to live at D’Aguiar’s Park, Houston, but is originally from the Essequibo Coast.

“In this village, life is good because I am working in this small family business and working from home

is nice, helping my sister is good and the people are neighbourly,’ she said.

The mother of three stated that they don’t sell food every day because things get busy on weekends, so they would start selling fish and chips from Wednesdays.

“We don’t have neighbours on one side, so that’s good. We like it that way and this place lights up at nights with people and activities,” she said.

The construction worker Sultan Rasool is a resident of Samaroo Dam and moved to that village about three months ago.

He used to live at La Parfaite Harmonie, also on the West Bank of Demerara, but relocated because of the distance and his children’s school is closed.

Rasool is a construction worker and when it rains, he cannot do jobs, so he has to do other things to bring in an income to the home, since he is renting.

The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that his rent alone is $20,000 per month, plus living expenses.

When the team caught up with him he was returning home from buying kerosene, milk and sugar.

His children are aged five years old, twin girls and he has a three-year-old son.

Rasool disclosed that the village is nice so far. They have had no issues and living there might be good for them in terms of the people and location.

“Moving wasn’t easy like renting, but living here for these few months have been okay and we are trying to lead a good but simple life,” he said.

Rasool added that Samaroo Dam is a lovely place of all kinds of people who co-exist in one village.

He would get around by riding his bicycle to do errands and make necessary purchases for his home, since it is mostly close by, he has to go.

Focus on the Village

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Life in the backlands of Samaroo Dam

Andy Sukhram in his kitchen garden as he displays his castnet used for fishing in the village

By Michel Outridge BEING the last house in Samaroo Dam Village, West Bank Demerara, Mala Shivgobin, a local doesn’t mind living there, and despite some ups and downs, it is quite peaceful and breezy with a view of the rice-farming activities in the backlands.

Shivgobin is residing with her in-laws and it is a place to which she has grown accustomed and which she likes.

The 22-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living in the village for the past six years and is originally from New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

She is a stay-at-home mom of two; she takes care of the household duties and tends to the children.

She occupies the lower flat of the two-storey concrete house owned by her in-laws, who reside in the top flat.

“Right now, my whole holiday spoil due to the floodwaters that came in the house and damaged all my furniture and things, so we are still in the process of cleaning up. It is a lot of work and we suffered a lot of losses,” she said.

Shivgobin stated that the entire lower flat of the house was underwater for one week and she, her husband and two children had to sleep upstairs.

“Other than the illegal dumping of garbage here and the mud situation left by farmers, it is a good place

to reside and the people are cooperative,” she said.

She related that when the rice farmers cut rice, the mud left behind is quite messy, and the taxis usually don’t

construction worker, and he tends to their kitchen garden while her father-in-law would catch fish whenever he is up to it.

She explained that when

Mala Shivgobin showing the water-damage in her home owing to flooding

“We do what we have to maintain this place because we have to constantly weed down the bushes and spray the place because of snakes and clean the drains to pre-

which has left them traumatised.

The house was invaded by eight men around 18:00hrs while the people in the neighbourhood didn’t think any-

The home of Mala Shivgobin and her in-laws (Delano Williams photos)

want to go there.

It is $500 per trip and at times, she would have to get out of the car to chase cows and donkeys tied up there on the roadway to graze before the taxi can pass through to get to her house.

Shivgobin told the Pepperpot Magazine that her in-laws have been residing in Samaroo Dam for the past 20 years and they lead a very simple life.

Shivgobin’s husband is a

COVID-19 hit Guyana, it brought a lot of challenges and the children had to be away from school.

It was a tall task to homeschool them and still tend to household duties, but she has since adapted to certain things.

Shivgobin reported that they really don’t have any issues except on weekends, when they would have a noise-nuisance problem with loud music.

vent excessive flooding,” she said.

Her father-in-law, Andy Sukhram, recalls a harrowing ordeal the family went through during an armed robbery in 2015 at their home,

thing of it. The robbers made four trips with a car to empty the contents of the house.

Sukhram added that they were hog-tied and beaten and were made to lie face down on the floor while the men

took their time to empty their belongings.

“After the robbery we were thankful for the outpouring of support from people far and wide, complete strangers, who read the story and donated cash and kind to us to assist us in rebuilding our lives,” he said.

Sukhram related that the entire ordeal was like something from a movie and even the clothes they had were taken away by the bandits.

He revealed that canter trucks selling groceries, vegetables and other things such as cooking gas and so on used to traverse through the village vending, but they are afraid to come these days due to many incidents of armed robberies.

“These days, I don’t worry about myself due to my age, but I am concerned with the youths as a result of how things are going, and it is quite alarming how small issues escalate quickly into full-blown murders and so on,” he said.

Sukhram pointed out that despite all that has happened, he will remain in the village and he is a simple man who worked most of his life.

He is a pensioner and he takes things as they come, one day at a time.

Focus on the Village

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Making a living in Samaroo Dam Village

Shallum Spencer in her food shop (Delano Williams photos)

By Michel Outridge SHALLUM Spencer is doing whatever she can to earn honestly by cooking wholesome foods to vend daily via her small snackette on the roadside by her home.

The 25-year-old had prepared some piping hot vegetable chowmein with pork and it was selling for $600 per box, which is reasonable considering the sharp increase in food prices in recent times.

Spencer told the Pep-

perpot Magazine that she is hardly ever idle because she would single-handedly tend to a shop owned by her inlaws, sell food and do other household duties.

The small outdoor shop is equipped with groceries to hardware items, and even clothing, so it is a busy place since it is located at the edge of the village.

The location is spot-on, and the locals support the business fully.

The mother of two stated that she is originally from Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke-Linden

Highway, but relocated to Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara, after she got married and is now living next door to her in-laws.

They also have a canter truck and cement block-making small businesses, and they employ three young men from the community.

With her husband, Ryan Singh, a truck driver, he is often away from home during the day and operating the small businesses is the task of Spencer, who is more than capable of taking care of things.

The block-making section of her in-laws’ small businesses

Focus on the Village

The grocery shop owned

by Shallum Spencer’s in-laws

The shop is very spacious and it has swingers to sit and wooden chairs and tables to accommodate people, who may want to engage in a friendly game of dominoes as a form of relaxation.

With Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara being described as ‘night village,’ the location is just right for customers to sit and enjoy cold beverages and a quick snack.

Spencer told the Pepperpot Magazine that the community is a very lively place and things are always ‘on the go,’ so to speak.

There is always some activity, and at nights, the locals would venture out of their homes to have a lime.

“This village is a nice place to live and work via a small business, because the people support you in every

way. The people are neighbourly, and it is a mixture of ethnicities, and they co-exist together without any burning issues,” she said.

Spencer reported that they rear their own livestock, and it was on Sunday they will use one of their pigs for the holidays to make curry, pepperpot, barbeque and roast.

She has been in the village for the past six years and likes it a lot, even more than when she was living on the highway.

“I don’t really mix up too much with people, but so far things have been productive for me and my family, because we don’t sit and wait for things to happen. We get up and do things to earn,” she said.

Kishond Ferguson Kishond Ferguson is a resident of Samaroo Dam, West Bnak Demerara and he is a construction worker who often finds it hard to get work when it is raining. The father of five reported that life in the village is fair, but he has some domestic problems he is trying to resolve at the earliest. He intends to do it because he needs peace of mind and to be happy.

Ferguson disclosed that despite the little issue in his life,he is willing to make amends and start afresh to enhance his life and that of his children.

The 37-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that Samaroo Dam is a good place to reside, because they are close-knit and look out for each other.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

Enterprise is alive in Samaroo Dam

By Michel Outridge

The Beauty Shop THERE is almost everything in Samaroo Dam Village, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara and then there is Ash’s Beauty Salon, a cozy, spacious beauty shop that specialises in hair and nails.

This business is housed on the lower flat of the owner’s home, Amrita George Ally called Asheana, whose expertise is recognised by her clients,who travel from far and wide for the services.

For the past five years she has been at the location but was at Goed Fortuin, also on the West Bank of Demerara, for 10 years.

Ally started out with just nails and as she developed her skills, she moved on to doing hair and expanded her business.

This beauty shop is conveniently located a short distance from the main road in Samaroo dam itself and it is a cozy place outfitted with an air conditioner, television and adequate seating accommodation.

The place is well-kept and equipped with all the tools necessary for such services they provide by appointments and walk-ins.

Ally told the Pepperpot Magazine that she always wanted to become an entrepreneur.

Employees with a client at Ash’s beauty salon in Samaroo Dam Village.

She was determined to succeed and became qualified as a hairstylist/nail technician and beautician.

She pointed out that she specialises in hair-cutting, hair-colouring, relaxing,

perming, manicures, pedicures, facials, nail designs, keratin hair treatments and make-ups.

With 17 years of service in this field, Ally has four employees who can execute the

Ash’s Beauty Salon (Delano Williams photos)

Focus on the Village

job when she is not around and they collectively manage the small business very well.

“All my staffers are trained and they are capable of pleasing the customers, so I don’t necessarily have to be there to supervise them, and they do an excellent job overall,” she said.

The village butcher Also in the village is a butcher, Mohim Singh, a livestock farmer, who rears his own sheep and sells mutton at the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction, where he has his stall.

Singh told the Pepperpot Magazine that as a young boy, his family, parents had their own sheep, goats and other animals.

He became versed in rearing livestock, and as he grew older, he started to acquire his own sheep and now he has dozens rearing in his backyard.

The small-business owner also has some horses and he used to work at Reuben’s Lumberyard at Pouderoyen.

Singh is multi-talented and does many jobs and things to earn honestly and also worked as a taxi driver.

“It is the Christmas sea-

son, so I decided to use some of my sheep to acquire mutton, and I am selling it here for $1,000 per pound, fresh,” he said.

Singh would usually sell mutton on weekends, but during this festive season, he is at his usual spot, his stall, to earn.

The father of two is a very simple man who used to buy and sell cows,but do not handle the meat due to his religious belief, being a Hindu.

Lorna Jones In Samaroo Dam Village is the home and business place of ex-police woman Lorna Jones, who worked for 36 years in the Guyana Police Force.

She had attained the rank of Inspector when she parted ways from the force and decided to concentrate on her small business, a shop, Lorna’s Grocery, Malt and Beverage.

Jones told the Pepperpot Magazine that the youths and young men would visit her shop to make purchases and also chat.

They would leave to play football in the afternoons, and at night, they would return to ‘lime’ a bit before

retiring to their homes.

She related that the village doesn’t have a playfield, but the young men would utilise the play area in other villages.

“A lot of youths and young men are jobless in this village, as such, they became idle and are doing some things which are not favourable. I think if they can go to some skills-training institutions, they can equip themselves with life skills to earn to enhance their lives,” she said. As an ex-cop, Jones would try to provide guidance to the youths and often encourage them to seek training to become gainfully employed, instead of having no real purpose in life.

She has been residing in the village for the past 57 years, and she is well-known, since she spent all her life there.

“Christmas time here it does be really nice, as one big family where everybody comes out with whatever they prepared in terms of foods and would have toys to share among the children and it would be a merry time for all, who would partake of the food and drinks,” she said.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

by O. Henry

ONE dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And 60 cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied.

Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty- seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home.

A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.

In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name “Mr. James Dillingham Young.”

The “Dillingham” had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called “Jim” and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.

Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn’t go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him.

Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art.

Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its colour within 20 seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.

Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim’s gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other was Della’s hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.

So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her

knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

Where she stopped the sign read: “Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds.” One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the “Sofronie.”

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair,” said Madame. “Take yer hat off and let’s have a sight at the looks of it.”

Down rippled the brown cascade.

“Twenty dollars,” said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.

Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim’s present.

She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in

any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim’s. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.

When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task.

Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror

long, carefully, and critically.

“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?”

At 7 o’clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.

Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit for saying little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: “Please God, make him think I am still pretty.”

The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.

Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her.

It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.

Della wriggled off the table and went for him.

“Jim, darling,” she cried, “don’t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn’t have lived through Christmas without giving you a present.

It’ll grow out again--you won’t mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!’ Jim, and let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice- what a beautiful, nice gift I’ve got for you.”

“You’ve cut off your hair?” asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.

“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della.

“Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? I’m me without my hair, ain’t I?” Jim looked about the room curiously.

“You say your hair is gone?” he said, with an air almost of idiocy.

“You needn’t look for it,” said Della. “It’s sold, I tell you--sold and gone, too. It’s Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered,” she went on with sudden serious sweetness, “but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?” Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction.

Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.

Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table.

“Don’t make any mistake, Dell,” he said, “about me. I SEE PAGE XV

XV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

A taste of ...

FROM PAGE V

Jagan with some of the dancers on stage

tion despite the challenges of COVID0-19.”

Reflecting on her experience with renowned ballet dancer, Helen Tate, Jagan said: “She was trained in the UK and came back around the same time ‘Let’s Dance’ opened and came to

two of our recitals. She even came backstage and commended us on a wonderful show, and she was happy that ballet was continuing in Guyana. This was an honour coming from her,” Jagan said.

‘Let’s Dance’ was also

able to continue training dancers from the Depth Core while they stayed in Guyana. Dancers from Colombia, Jamaica, USA were able to receive training at the school on the same level or higher than in their home country.

THE GIFT OF.....

FROM PAGE XIV

don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.”

White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper.

And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.

For there lay The Combs-the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession.

And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have

adorned the coveted adornments were gone.

But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: “My hair grows so fast, Jim!” And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, “Oh, oh!”

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.

“Isn’t it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch.

I want to see how it looks on it.”

Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled.

“Dell,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ‘em a while.

They’re too nice to use just

at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on.”

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

Jagan started the country’s first trained ballet school

XVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

SO, IT’S CHRISTMAS, THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF REBIRTH, SHARING OF GIFTS AND GOODWILL… So, how’s our species doing?

WHAT we humans have mastered is the ability to act out scenarios that we do not believe in, but what we conclude will serve us beyond just survival. The thing with acting is that in the end, after enough scenes are displayed, most of the audience aren’t fooled or are impatient

variations and belief systems. Take the Church, its Preachers, Bishops and measure their conduct, as well as the history of the Churches. By no means, they, through coercion and preaching, as charismatic as many of them are, could have sustained the aura of the Christmas mood. It is

linked to the divine blessings of the earth mother, thus, the renewal and redeeming of life-itself, when defined in religious language and practice, and the foundation of matriarchal culture. To most, this mostly forgotten past still resides in our sub consciousness and instructs

with foreboding intent, thus, we symbolically embrace the cleaning of the house, renewal of things that must be disposed of, We add newness into the fertile earth that our home represents, towards a stirring of a more sensitive and inspired awareness of ‘being.’ For the 12 months that will follow will

many cases, self-inflicted conditions, due to bad social life style decisions, or, are the domino effect of failures handed down by ineffective national leadership, or enemies without, regardless, the mood of Christmas with its courtesies can summon yesterday’s passing moments of joy that were imprisoned

for further clarity of all motives of the characters and a workable understanding of the symbolisms implied. But what does Christmas have to do with our scenarios? Well, it’s a euphoria that though it is the root of Christianity, the events around those few daily hours that envelope Christmas does spark a mood of difference and invoke a spark of humanity for that moment within the hours of Christmas, unmatched across human

true that this season we have and still celebrate reaches far older celebrations in the human subconscious memory, and it is to them we must search and reawaken older memories to interpret the language of symbolism that have served humanity as our first light. December is enveloped by the ancient custom of solstices traced back to the basis of Nile cultural Solar practices.

Revolving around agricultural harvest festivals, and

our active consciousness to respond, at times involuntary, against the strict dictates of prudent economics.

That we can link the celebration and social rituals of Christmas to harvest celebrations and customary rites beyond the birth of ‘Jesus’ therefore clarifies why we apply the gratitude and aspirations of the ‘Harvest’ atmosphere of rejuvenation for the more enriched continuity, to rise above the social pestilences that will constantly encroach

require the husbandry of ‘will’ patience and sacrifice, to protect and contain the ‘garden’ that is our family, against all that will uninvitedly visit to challenge the covenant of progress and tranquility of the holistic home, therefore the celebration of family and life, ‘goodwill to all mankind’ will echo, even by those who are with opposing intent, because of the force of ‘the word.’ The personal difficulties that will challenge the mood, will embody in

by the dense shadows of the present moment.

Christmas in gender is matriarchal. We men know better than to use the youngadult bachelor argument, brought forward, that Christmas is all about nice food, threads and drinks, the ladies create the gauntlet and men tumble through it grumbling all the way, complaining and in some cases, using subtle counter arguments to persuade programme changes, success with that revolves with time

and mood of discussion.

Most concerns of men are based on the sobering realities of immediate future (Christmas incurred) debt, assured by the matriarch that based on faith that it will be addressed, to which the balanced male is terrified off, especially if he is not immediately in control of its projected prospects.

Among male friends, we discuss jokingly that Christmas is one time of the year when we should conspire to keep our other half at home, but that was realistic years ago, today there’s astral travelling via the technology of Facebook and the hypnotic force of the ‘Tablet’ and I’m not talking aspirins. But the sobering reality of the Biblical first Christmas narrative is the family’s symbolism, the emphasis of facing the present and the future with one mind.

Whether it is ‘the greatest story ever told’ construing that fiction is a possibility, as alluded by generations of skeptics, then its genius has captured our imagination and our human understanding of trials and challenges and the continuity of purpose, in a sea of conflict, with its lessons of resilience.

True, its lessons have been corrupted by many, but we continue to hope and greet each other with the compelling courtesy of “Happy Christmas” from me to you.

Pic saved as DE lamen-

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING 2021 AS the year comes to a close, the EPA takes this opportunity to reflect on some of its major accomplishments during what can be deemed as a challenging yet rewarding 365 days. From improvements to its monitoring capabilities, to the historic appointment of female leadership, the agency has much to be proud of.

Administration In June, the EPA welcomed a new Executive Director, Mr. Kemraj Parsram and a historic first Deputy Executive Director, Ms. Sharifah Razack.

Establishment of Complaints Unit Under the management of the new executive director, a unit dedicated to managing environmental complaints was established. This has allowed for officers to solely focus on the receipt, investigation, and resolution of concerns shared by members of the public. * NDC Capacity Building exploratory meetings and workshops * Meetings with key stakeholder agencies – the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

Complaints can be submitted by telephone 225-5469, email at complaint@epaguyana.org, on our Facebook page EPA-Guyana, or walk in to our offices in Georgetown, Berbice, or Linden.

Acquisition of air-quality sensors

Chief among environmental complaints, is that of air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency is required under Part VIII of the Environmental Management (Air Quality) Regulations to establish an Air Pollution Monitoring Index for any area in Guyana. As part of its mission to improve monitoring of environmental parameters, the agency moved to procure air-quality monitors.

IQAir has donated five (5) Air Visual Outdoor (AVO) sensors to monitor air quality.

- Three of the sensors are currently in the process of being installed within Regions Four, Six and 10.

- The sensors continuously monitor PM2.5, PM10, PM1 (PM- particulate matter) and CO2 (carbon dioxide).

- Each unit will cover a radius of 20-25km and a performance accuracy of 82%. The data collected by the sensors will be published on the IQAir website.

Review of the Environmental Protection Act and associated regulations As the Act has been effective and functional since its establishment, the world is constantly changing, both for better and for worse. In light of that, despite the act has been in effect over the years, there is room for improvements. Hence, the revision process has been ongoing by the agency’s legal representative and appropriate staff to have the Environmental Protection Act and associated regulations improved, as we continue to efficiently manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment, prevent or control pollution, assess the impacts of economic development on the environment, sustainably use our natural resources and other related matters in Guyana.

XVII

Improved monitoring capabilities Through 2021 the EPA has worked tirelessly to improve its monitoring capabilities. As such it has successfully; * Built the Environmental Management & Monitoring Information System that aims to amalgamate environmental data from EPA as well as other agencies. This project will be launched soon; * MAXAR : Liaison with Maxar ‘s Crow’s Nest for Marine Vessel Monitoring optically; * Skytruth & Earthdata : Near Real-time monitoring of heat signatures to detect and quantify flaring and illegal fires /burnings; * SkyWatch: Partnership with Skywatch for on demand satellite tasking anywhere in Guyana for monitoring of all environmental parameters as well as access to their archive catalog of satellite imagery; * Ongoing partnership with Skytruth’s cerulean for alerts of slicks & spills offshore; and * Partnership and launching of support services with fisherfolk.

We wish you and your families the very best in the coming year.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Samaroo...

FROM PAGE VI

Samaroo Dam is a bordering dam to Versailles and Coghlan Dam, and the village has two plantations.

skilled tradesmen, butchers, public servants and some private-sector workers.

The village has a lot of small-business owners, shops and other businesses such as

The Best/Klein Pouderoyen NDC Chairman Umesh Balram

The main economic activities of the locals include farming, livestock-rearing, poultry and cattle, with some

cement block-making, food places, bars, rum shops, and beauty salons.

Samaroo Dam is a very

close-knit community and the village is said to be a ‘night village,’ where a lot of people come out at night to relax, play dominoes and congregate at shops within the village to ‘lime.’

Under the NDC catchment there are about 21 streets in total and it includes Crane Phase One and Phase Two. Pouderoyen has five plantations: Versailles, Coghlan Dam, Crane, Best and Vreeden-Hoop.

Samaroo Dam has two squatting areas which are located behind the West Demerara Secondary School, joining Middle Street, Pouderoyen and Swan Street. .

Village development According to Chairman Umesh Balram of the Best/ Klein Pouderoyen NDC, a hymac was expected to go in the village to execute drainage works to the southern side canal due to the rainy weather conditions.

He reported that there is an area in Samaroo Dam called Alligator Island, and that part will be maintained, as well with some drain-

The historical trees in front of the West Demerara Secondary School

age works to ease flooding within the village as a result of heavy and continuous rainfall.

Balram added that all potholes on the Samaroo Dam

road were patched and upgraded recently, and it serves as the main access road.

He related that overburden on road shoulders will be removed when the weather is

more favourable and due to COVID-19 restrictions, some works have been stalled.

Balram stated that Samaroo Dam is a low-tax collection village.

XVIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS REVISITING THE GUYANA/ THE SEAWALLS VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY SOON TO COME BEFORE THE ICJ FOREVER!

s

I AM celebrating Across Borders A When the hos view with me, I a CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―― Sunday, 2021 life28, changers CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday,February January 10, 2021to jo their stories.

Dr. Jackie Ev Connecticut HOMES and commercial centres have been colourfully morning, they were elated to find that they had their dowries.

My journey to decorated with Christmas symbols and most people ad- The gold balls which are so much a part of Christmas decothrough stages of mire their beauty, but not many are aware of their mean- rations represent St Nicholas’ gift. restored.

Thro ings. Since Christianity and the Christmas festival have Most are aware that the Christmas colours are red, blue, earned a doctorate been adopted by many cultures throughout the world over green and gold but their meanings are often unclear. Red from a higher e many centuries, various meanings and interpretations signifies the blood of Jesus who was crucified to bear the with this journey w have become attached to the same symbols. Though the sins of mankind; Blue is the colour associated with the Viror shifts in m explanations of the various symbols may differ, their core gin Mary, Jesus’ mother; Green signifies rebirth, growth, realise that your c meanings remain very much the same. In this offering, we prosperity and well-being; Gold reminds of the gift of gold HE Guyana/Venezuela controversy will again shortly and discussions where factual bases invariably become circumstances. Th will give the meanings and explanations of the symbols presented to Jesus at his birth by one of the three Kings and higher mode of th me upwhich before theuniversal International Court Justice (ICJ). in blurred. have currency andofare most common symbolises Jesus’ majesty and his spiritual kingship over the spirit and align yo Guyana, most oflie thedeep writings the controversy have Inworld. thisisoffering, we will depart this with normseashells and try to THE Seawalls in theon consciousness of Guyanese today rather muddy was oncefrom covered and Guyana.

Christine head at his crucifixion.

This is an example of a symbol from Nebl the sun had risen. enpeople, of a historical and factual and this a good answer questions that have been since theup butword especially Georgetowners.

Yet itis has rarely theretwo would always be many children exploring and picking The “Christmas” isnature often written “Xmas” and many The Candy Cane is one ofasking the most unusual That day is, why is the Venezuelan public so convinced that theyI be the GrecoRoman religion being co-opted into the Christian On moonlit nights the Seawalls were always a crowded arenoticed puzzled about itpublic ismedia so written pronunciasymbols.

Itfishing is asometimes confection and traces itslarge oring, since the Guyanese are not encouraged of theoftwo Guyanese boats inthey Guyana’s terribeen by thewhy news andand thewhat lastthe time it wasseizure seashells different colours; may find ing and all bringing religion. have a valid claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and m tion should be.

Since Christianity was born in the Greco-Roigin to the Middle Ages and its colour red promenade.

Many went to socialise with friends, but went mentioned as an item into of national concern was five or sixtorial conch shells. move their attention the realms of arguments waters by a Venezuelan navy ship. The first question scheduled for an in The Teutonic and Celtic peoples lived in the North, why theirthe politicians bellicose aggressive about man world, andovertopped Latin languages wereand used in their representsshelf Jesus’ blood when to enjoy beauty ofarethesomoon risingand from the proficiency sea and thein years ago whenthe theGreek Ocean the wall flooded The foreshore or continental gradually rises he andbore falls where my the land was covered with snow and ice for several Greek alphabet letter for “Ch” is “X” so thethe sinsforeshore of the world at between his crucifixion claim? moonlight And the second is, why did there President blue-green whichquestion was brighter, since were the early yardswritings. parallelThe to the Public Road.

This was the first every 20 years and today, land Camp this ofofthe year. No choose food could be produced, the trees in writing “Christ” in Greek, we begin with “X” and Xmas and its white represents his purity months Maduro Venezuela this time to seize the boats no road lights to dilute it.

Others would enjoy the various timeborrows in living memory that there was such an occurrence Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to the height of lost their leaves and the landscape was white, covered in that ‘X” but it is still pronounced as ‘Christmas’. and nobility. It was enthusiastically when heofknew he would alienate the Guyanese phases the This New Moon withofthescarcity background of population purple A skies and it The star is led to great panic.

The authorities hurriedly con- the wall and coconut treesrevived and other vegetation on it. snow and ice. was a time and privation. used as a decoration, particularly on Christmas in America.

If itgrow is turned and cause the international community to condemn or embellished with thousands of stars which appear structed barrier ofthestanding concrete trees. Ita represents star that led the three Kings or Wise downwards,it forms a ‘J’ repre- few trees remained evergreen and these gave colour to the disapprove of his action, leaving Venezuela isolated interbrighter since there were no city lights.

Others white landscape and brought hope to people that the Sun slabs on(Magi) the Walls to manger counterinsuch overtop-where the Baby Men to the Bethlehem, senting Jesus. nationally the again issue. plenty on would return.These trees regarded to would go to the Seawalls in the were late afternoons ping.

Inwas the born. last few the Seawalls Jesus Theweeks, three Kings brought Jesus gifts of The silver bells remain and with reverence and a few of them were regarded asinto diThe answer to the first question began during the Cold admire sunsets gradually transforming the gold, frankincense myrrh, each signifione of the most popular and have again featured and in the news, butgift inhaving a vine and since the Christmas festival fell in winter, these blue light of dusk.

War: At the beginning of the 1960s Britain had decided to cance in Jesus’ life.

The gold represents Jesus’ kingship ubiquitous of Christmas dechappier vein. continued to beAnother revered of as they hadthe been inSeawalls pre-Christian and glory and is the origin of the Christmas colour gold. orations and symbols and the joys of the were the withdraw from Guyana and grant colony independence, From Camp Street to the Demerara River, but given ChristianSunday symbolisms.

The most the three Kings is the origin of the gift-giveven find their way to the new times, earlylikely evening concerts givenof bythe thewell Militia but it was very that the Prime Minister newly the The wallgifts hadofbecome disfigured by an accuknown, the Fir, the Holly and the Mistletoe, came to be an ing at Christmastime.

Replicas of the nativity scene year celebrations though Band and the Police Band at the Bandstand which independent state would be Dr Cheddi Jagan, an avowed mulation of unsightly garbage and no one of Christmas decorations. Their pre-Christian with the baby Jesus lying in the manger and the with different connotations. essential partattracted hundreds of people.

Their repertoire conMarxist.

U.S. Cold War interests tried to persuade Britain assumed thestanding responsibility of cleaning it. a AChristmas animals around were used as In the Middle Ages, the meanings came to be co-opted into Christian symbolism. sisted of light classical music such as Strauss’ and to delay Guyana’s independence, but all that Britain could homeless whoand sometimes symbolman, fromCarl the Melville, Middle Ages was introduced by bells of all the church- The evergreen Fir came to be the Christmas tree with its other waltzes, ballet music such Delibes’ pizzicato conical shaped top pointing to heaven and representing the sleptSt there was noticed by Dwayne Hackett Francis of Assissi. It taught the lesson that Man es would be peeling on promise was that she would hand over power to a non-ComSylvia, atAmerican least one English patriotic song such ofand man.

Its evergreen represented the felt continuatrying to clean thehelp garbage andand immediately munist Prime Minister.

Intelligence that this should always the poor homeless and show Christmas morning to aspiration tion of peace, prosperity and the everlasting nature of the as “This royal throne of Kings” and Guyanese and volunteered to help him.

Hackett placed the kindness animals. announce the birth of British offer needed further insurance and so they devised of the Lord Jesus, The tree over the centuries Caribbean folk songs.

The concerts were arranged Angels are always Christmas decorathe Lord and to sum- teachings incident on social mediapart andofimmediately a plan whereby their client Venezuela would threaten to with Christmas various tions and represent the angels who descended on for early evening so that symbols children of could attend; mon the populace to came to be decorated numbers of persons volunteered their services. kinds, making it a microcosm of the story of the birth andtheir nightArya of Jesus’ birthone to celebrate andtosing his worship and the silver many Guyanese in later life have admitted that FirsttheLady Ali was of the first the Lord Jesus. The Holly and Mistletoe were praises and and the the Ministry shekinah.that is the Works, light emanatbells recall that cus- teachings offirst exposure to classical music was from these volunteer of Public equally Christianised - The holly with its thorny leaves and ing from their bodies, lit up the hills around tom.

Bandstand concerts. the Bethlehem.

Director of Solid Waste Department of the Jesus’ crown of thorns and its red The bright lights that illuminate T h e b o t a n - stems came to represent On Easter Monday thousands of kite-flyers Georgetown City Council and the Fire Service homes, commercial areas, and public places at ical symbols of berries his blood, while the mistletoe came to represent turned out from five o’clock in the morning. Kites became involved with her.

The Fire Service peace, love and good fortune.

Christmastime replicate the heavenly light Christmas mostwere all hand-made and were in a variety shapes The one universal botanical symbol which derivesoffrom cleaned the bandstand and in a few days all the that suffused Bethlehem at Lord Jesus’s ly have their orsuch as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predomthe Americas is the Poinsettias. There are two traditions of garbage was removed and Seawalls appeared birth. The bright lights also symbolize the igins in the is that discoveredoctagon in the Caribinantfirst shape wasit was the Guyanese and in a and salvation to p r e - C h r i s - its origin. The as ifenlightenment, they had alwayswisdom been maintained!

Many 17th-century French explorer De Poincy of colours.

Singing engines, a kiteand which which Jesus brought. tian Teuton- bean by thevariety haveMankind been high in their praises of this example thus named after him.

The second is two small Mexican Claus is the Christmas symbol and Celtic made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular. of civicSanta responsibility.

Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land alongicthe Kitty Sea- children, Maria her brother Pedro badly desired toThe attend par a symbol for r e l i gbuilding ions.

Kite-flying wasand always combined with picnicking.

Easter The excellence.

Seawalls hadSanta alwaysis been the promenade and park for wall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial the nativity service but had no money to buy any gift and so Saint Nicholas, a bishop who lived in T h e

X m a s kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday. the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, with a heavy heart, they carried a green twig from a tree near the fourth century in Anatolia and whose mentioned above, political tensions and criminality the vestments last quarterwere of the 19th and continued to be so until but the sea is under it. Old fishermen who set their nets on their As home.

When they laidthe down their gift among the others red.

Hecentury was famed for kept people away from the contempt Seawalls by in the 1960s. Then By the the his 1960s when the country became plagued with political tenthe foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and it was regarded with amused everyone. goodness and especially for his invade Guyana if theremore wasstable any possibility of a Marxist 1990s life had become and people again began to suddenly, it began to change into beautiful red petal-like sionlove andof there were robberies on the Seawalls.

For most of the fall of the beach. children, and it was he who government being installed inambience Guyana. frequent the Seawalls, but the had changed.

There leaves and became the most attractive gift among them all.

1960s, therefore, fewer and fewer people visited the Seawalls.

The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enmade Christmas into a children’s The Award hadofsettled the boundaries of American ambassador to Mexico, brought grew up1899 stallsArbitral lining the parapet the Poinsette, Public Road from the In its heyday, the most delightful place thusiasts. Many would go there to practise deep breathing of The festival.

He the wasSeawalls believedwere to be Guyana and Venezuela and these boundaries were fully back the plant to America in 1825 and widely distributed it; able to levitate andvast fly openness and the of the seascape and the the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and in Georgetown.

The bystalls bothwere parties and the communiwas Poinsettia after the ambassador. tradition of Santa flying all ofcalled these well-lit.

TheInternational characterThe of symbolic the Seawalls surrounding landscape, thethrough blue skies and silver clouds, the even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were itaccepted Christian message of the Poinsettia is that if a gift is given ty.

One of the junior lawyers representing Venezuela the night skies on Christmas Eve had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. at ever-present seagulls and the steady flow of the health-giving the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group with a pure and devoted heart, no matter how poor itwas maynot MalletPrevost, left ais letter in winds his sleigh to enveloping deliver gifts to and quietude attracted would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by the arbitration, Now that the tourism industry beingthat revived, the trade and the peace be, it is always transformed into something of value.

And children derives from this tradition. wreath hung toSeawalls have been opened until after his death. In that letter, still offer an attractive attraction. hundreds of people at all times of the day. The beach which cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before onethat should be embarrassed or the deterred But St Nicholas was not only kind on doors and secondly, he claimed the not Arbitral Award was resultfrom of an no matter how small the assistance may be. to orphans and other children. He was known to help walls represents the helping, arrangement between Britain and the Russian arbitrator In this offering we addressed Christmas customs and everyone. There was a father who had three daughters who unending love of God for man to deprive Venezuela of its rights.

After thanmany half a symbolisms which are universally known, butmore there are could not have been married since they had no dowries. The with its circular shape without century, Venezuela, based on Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous girls had washed their stockings and hung them over the ends and is a talisman bringing good luck, which are purely local or confined to the Caribbean region letter, we now Arbitral Award and claimed twowillrejected considerthe elsewhere.

fireplace to dry and St Nicholas put a ball of gold in each happiness and pros- perity It is also regarded by many as which thirds of Guyana’s territory.

Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous stocking. When they looked at their stockings on Christmas representing the crown of thorns which was placed on Jesus’

XX XIV

Research work helping curb...

From Page III

timate for that area and in the space of 18 months, some 33 Giant Anteaters were identified.

According to Millar, researching the animals included going out on horseback and following them from a distance to be able to stock up on more scientific information. One of the things they discovered is that the

zone in the village. “So we will work with the villagers to create certain rules and help them to know what they should and should not do. For example, no one is allowed to kill them, keep them as a pet, destroy their habitat, and light a fire in certain places, so that we can further protect the population.”

several short documentaries called the “Secret Life of Giant Anteaters” and each episode focuses on different aspects of the work being done. Two more episodes are expected to be released this month.

The team also does a lot of awareness work, including environmental education.

letter was the causus Venezuela used to threaten Guyana and this continued after the Cold War, the raison d’etre for the claim, had ended.

Most lawyers and historians who took any notice of Mallet-Prevost’s letter dismissed it as a historical curiosity or very flimsy evidence on which to attempt to upset a long-accepted Arbitral Award. But the Venezuelan politicians and the Venezuelan public gave credence and importance to Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, which would have been dismissed in the modern world. But the Venezuelan politicians and public still live in the 19th century Napoleonic world where territorial conquests were regarded as acceptable and even heroic. In today’s world, this 19th-century ethic has been completely rejected.

sharing their journeys XVIII CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

g seven amazing women from the Women Anthologies. st of Watch Radio NY requested an interasked him if it was okay for me to invite oin me. I am sharing some excerpts from

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 10, 2021

XIX

van Phillips -- born in St Lucia, living in

owards being a Midwife of Purpose came being broken, displaced, and ough this journey, I experienced a divorce, e and got displaced education administrator’s position. Coupled were two major eclipses One week later I completed my life. An eclipse happens when you can my assignment with CTO calling becomes greater than your current and was now ready to move hrough this process, you can transcend to a on to my next career move. hinking where you can connect with your I called Monique to let her ourself as one with nature. know I was available as we lett – born in Guyana and living in NY agreed and she was so hapegan to have the real experience of dreampy to have me start my first my dream world alive. I was immediately temporary assignment with nterview with the agency where they tested Deutsche Bank. My first n using Microsoft and typing WE recentlyOffice celebrated thespeed. first year of the Virtual Writers Retreat and we had a lot to celebrate in such a short time. We have had people from Guyana, French IMAGINE, I’m writing my last column for 2021? Over to them – a vision board is the perfect tool to help you do Guiana, Trinidad, Barbados, The Bahamas, Suriname, 300 days went by like a breeze. I started 2021 with the rethat. Some people refer to it as a dream board. A vision board Antigua, St Invaluable Lucia, South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, lease of 365 life Experiences compilation book. is a visual representation of your goals. It can be called your Canada, parts the books Unitedbefore States.

The planand was various to release two of other the The year daily reminder or affirmations. A collage of images and texts first to publish waspersons Wendy to Hermonstine and she was person over. I assisted a few publish their books, are displayed on the board. Placing a vision board somewhere iswhich now working her second Alicia Amanda felt even on better.

One of book. the highlights for thepubpast you can see it every day, will prompt you to visualise the life lished couple of books, Umoru Iko-Ojo andlaunch Bevmonthawas helping some Phil others get ready for their you dream of for yourself. erley Been also published in January 2022.

These aretheirs. participants from the virtual Visualisation activates the creative powers of your subconThe most recent authorby toClaudia publish Vidal from and the retreat Writers’ Retreat founded myself.is scious mindI knew and programmes that I wouldyour be inbrain to notice available When I was six years assignment lasted two weeks, SaraMost Khalil, who was born Guyanayear andand leftcreative for NewvisualYork of us reflect on theinpresent resources. visibleifvision can make a boring routine bigAtrouble I toldboard my dad covering someone’s vacation. old I started school in Mesa, in her teenage years. had the honour to contribute isation on the plans for Ithe coming year. I did not achievethe all into an inspiring becauseItyou what hadday happened. wasare a motivated to reach your Due to my work ethic and Arizona, so I began staying cover, and Iithad wasplanned, a privilege readnot thebeat manuscript bethe things but to I will myself upfirst, because goals. No matter secret: thehow clear and inspiring your vision is, if you desire to go the extra mile, with my mom cause I assisted to publishand hersignificant book ‘InComplete.’ did I did reach someher meaningful milestones.I One don’t take consistent, action kind that regular could get me to make it a reality, that and her husband routineI landed another assignment not want to put itisdown because her birthday story is celebration so compiling. of the highlights certainly my 50th and vision will just a dream that exists nowhere else but in intoremain big trouble.

I didn’t in the same department for ly. It was like going from has always felt that her life is a solidarity jourtheSara Bread Basket Mission. your own mind.

How to create your know how much trouble, butvision board : six months, then another for heaven to hell. It was a horror n e yI told God my desire is for my 50th to be memorable • GoIback to your listtoof goals and get clarity on what you wasn’t willing three months, which finally story that’s yet to be writnot only for me, but many others and for one bread to make a wantI to achieve the next“Shhhh...

12 months. 138 • Gather photos take ainchance. led to my permanent posi- ten. While at grandma’s difference in many lives. My prayers were answered and the from download from the internet that represent Don’t telloranyone.” of magazines tion, allowing me to live a was filled with the love result was beyond my expectations. the goals you desireit’s to the achieve.

Maybe trauma of a grandma and Jesus daily. dream.

Months later, I am still receiving messages about the value aside some time cutsome out the images you need experience, buttofor Dr. Safeeya Mohamed – On the other hand, at my• Putmy that month added and the lives that were transformed. Every a collage on a board reason I still cannot rememmother’s house, I was filled• Create Trinidad week we receive heart-warming testimonials to what the bread with a powerful affirmation to the board. Don’t bertext how We received the updates with Rock ‘N Roll, drugs• Add is doing. Many wins and “To God be the Glory.” up ifityou are not satisfied often happened, when with the outcome. You sexyourself that the accident was horrific and inappropriate, wildbeat I published the ‘Invaluable Life Experiences’ which is can change images on it started, or your evenvision whenboard it or redo if you need to. and that the victim was stuck parties. Ultimately, from a guided journal to your best year. I have been reviewing makeended your visualisation practice even more powerful, I will such an environment youTocan in the car. and consuming the content because I need to be in alignshare this checklist from Jack Canfield to help you evaluate The vehicle had to be cut imagine the kinds of abuse ment with my assignment for 2022 and beyond. People –South open to get to the victim. It that mom’s house provided. your vision Penny board’sPhakahi effectiveness.

Checklist who used it said the everyday prompters assisted them to never occurred to me that When I was 11 years old,• ToAfrica make my visualisation practice even more powerful, I have had my share grandma Shirley died and my together my brother chart their courses effectively, as well as the tips on how I put this checklist to helpofyou evaluate your vision and I strongly believe had turmoil could be remotely in- stepdad left. My momboard’s to create your vision board. This journal accommodates effectiveness. that it is board these depicts stints ofgoals tur- and dreams in all areas volved. The next thing I an emotional breakdown, so• My your vision up to 2030. vision moil thatjust brought me area that I’d like to focus on. take remember, I was looking at I ran away! I couldn’t of You know how much I love sharing info that can add value my life or in one specific this farI choose in my life.

I was or symbolise the experiany more. the body of my brother to you, especially at this time of the year. The journal started • The images represent and in thatblood we areinalla ridingAndrea a train through I gotfeelings, her permission share an excerpt withinto youmy andlife I and perhaps is to still in Imy Edwards – ences, born covered with the scripture Jeremiah29:11 which set the tone. and possessions want to attract ourstrident, hours, and years. believe many women can relate to her journey. refinery process. inWhat Guyana, living in Florida hearse. agonisSharing the prompters from the journal that can help in unique and on my board. haveThe our own coredays, messages. do you think thoughtful andI sat revealing As a young girl, I grew As in the back Excerpt: of screamis? of In mythis mother in your business and professional life your coreing message up with one main ambition, my dad’s Nissan Bluebird, I the A&E that story of her journey, readers will accom“I will leave today; justfor help me pack my belongings.”

They are more tips creating your vision board Page 27 -Every day, we think about things that will take us wanting get far peered through morning panybut onetheofhas thenot mostthoughts courageous women His started packaway, his to clothing in a suitcase.

Page 23- Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a on the path toearly andmother prompters tototo guide you goal-setting and creative success, negative creep inthe andwindows thepacking. system ofI was the images on - a almost 17 toatself-discovery on mind her expedition Mikeaway also from started so upset and tea lostparty that person. These guiding principles sometimes dictate behaviour we beginescaped visualisation.

We will be hosting a vision board to doubtmy ourselves.

Our limiting beliefs can paralyse thinking or the box that the fence of the Guylater as she howled remarkable life story of trials and triI started to cry and begged him to stay.

I was in a place and can help us understand the difference between the right us. How years in January.

A virtual edition and in person for a limited do you deal with your limiting beliefs? we find ourselves in. ana Botanical Gardensof and “my son died, my umphs. confusion, I hated myself andare I blamed myself.

I felt I and wrong paths. Core values also help keep us in check and number of often people and if you interested WhatsApp Apart from Iunderstanding Zoological Park.inThe wasn’t radio died, nobody’s helpdetermine if we are on the right path, while fulfilling our 6848129.

I encourage you tomyself get your copy of this Hertime book ‘Incomplete’ offers good enough. threw on the floor, in ajournal foetal Page 29-son Investing our wisely for productivity and myself I out always dared blasted the popular But nobody goals by creating a compelling guide. Most businesses have efficiencying at a special price onas Amazon for the holidays. can also sights into Sara from childhood crying loud asto I could, more soYou screaming. in us!” the new year is a could, wise Khalil decision.

What are your position, be was different, which wasor song “1985” by his spirit at the core marketing messages which explain your unique value plans foras give it to someone for Christmas the new you to departed adulthood.

She livedcalypso her childhood My world upside down.

Ialoved himyear. withMay all my effective time investment? constant struggle sur- and a board. then-popular calypsonian. point of theinsection proposition (UVP) to potential customers. Your Core Message push through adversities and think sizeshurt bigger 2022 Guyana thenvision migrated to the USA heart; even with all the when infidelity he for caused Excerpt from of the rounded bytomyhold situations.

Ineed would have just to celebrated impact.with Up her to this day,SheIwas is the big idea you want to share with the world. It captures andIbeyond.

I promise youon if to youhim willmy be family. determined me, still wanted formy thehelp, sakeI of grew up under a strict my sixth I ponder where the strength the emotional core of who you are and what you stand for. here because we are in this together as we continue this fight against all odds, even after two family and my child.

I never wanted to let him go, no Vision Board: the best way to achieve your goals is to Christian family with my birthday, quite came from to your navigate Your Core Message isn’t WHAT you do, but WHY you do it. keep them beautiful journey called Life THE RUNWAY. marriages. on heroblivious matter what.

He had made hisBEYOND decision and wouldn’t be at the topfailed of mindthat so thatReflecting you’re always congrandfather and step granny, to the concept of time, but night.

Your core message can indicate what you stand for. We all are sciously and subconsciously nomadiclooking early years, weto witness all budged. At 6 pm that evening, Mike left with his Mom. for ways move closer as my mother her mom song would not allow that she faced as shethat doggedly pursued Our six-year-old son,lost Jayden, started to run behind Shanon her Paar – Arizona me to forget PAGE calling. his father, butSEE Mike keptXXV walking; Jayden asked me, thatwarmth it was 1985.

Sara shared with and “Mom, why daddy leaving again”? I didn’t have any honesty how she dealt with betrayal, answers at that time. I quickly tried to control myself forgiveness, and feelings of being and started engaging in other conversations with my unloved. son, thinking he would get distracted and forget. Guess This book is authentic, sassy, in- what? I was wrong. He kept crying and asking the same spiring, bold, and pragmatic, qualities question, over and over. Finally, after some time passed, quite similar to the author herself. he stopped crying and asking questions and started to She launched her book at Artfest be himself again. It was close to bedtime, so I bathed in Atlanta and will be launching in Jayden, took a shower and we were off to bed. The very New York later this month and Guyana in November.

SEE PAGE XX

Push through adversities Sara’s incomplete journey and think sizes bigger

XX XVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―CHRONICLE Sunday, February 28, 2021 PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 03, 2021

How to get through a Miscarriage

Keep up qualities of the Christmas spirit

not always know what I’m looking losing your phone would be on a scale of 1-10. 98 percent phone is such a normal part of my said 10theand percent said allif you claimed that it would is completely your choice. anonymous prefer.

There 9. are They TODAY I would like to can also happen later during overlooked during preg- 2 mother/parent.

I think it requires menvarious reasons why a womdiscuss athat topic that many thecount pregnancy termtypi- nancy. This is rarely true. y hand I cannot the numbe the worst material possession thatis emotional they discould tioningever that menlose. also do feel As there an would miscarry, which find uncomfortable and cally called a stillbirth. My Most miscarriages occur include chronic conditions tress, there may also be phys- this loss. However, I have despite how comresearch showed thatin the risk the foetuscontinued just isn’t d taboo, for it, while it was actually my becauseThey say thatdiabefeelings ofasanxiety, counselled manyand couples ical as well relationship irritation such to as uncontrolled mon it actually is. Many of miscarriage is 12 percent developing normally. through a miscarriage distress.

You will feel a wide tes, hormonal abnormalities, when I getknow uphow in the morning and people don’t to 15 percent for women in Unfortunately, while overwhelming sadness would be felt if they were to lose theirwhere uterine or cervical abnor- range of emotions which the expecting mother and to reach out or respond their 20s and rises to about a miscarriage is a relatively malities, infection, or age. are not limited to sadness, father’s relationship seemed oing to sleep check myfororphone.

I lives. to someone has is been women experience — it phone I HOPEwho everyone had a25 percent good advice.

Teach them have to decorate Christ-as though but life most isn’t. of the time, hopelessness, Yes, it’stoday.

Christmas cial strain usuallyover packedcommon it was deteriorating anger,atguilt, However, through this trauma – and age schedule.

40. doesn’t make the situation good Christmas-whether to be good people will mas only.

My grandmother Keep giving and receivand everyone is in a great This may sound althy andthat’s something must be done. easier. Itit’sItis literally as the woman felt her partner of other parents and the fertilised egg has right? an ab- jealousy sometimes, okay. it Having miscarriage impossible seems Caring so much about awho you officially celebrate healthily contribute toher sociused to leaveofher Christmas ing, not gifts of butchromorather theintense calledharmless, ridiculousa or impossible, butany mood; didn’t care or understand feelings loneliness normal number helps doesyou notcan necessarily mean for anyone to understand or not.knowledge The famous ChristetyWhile in theexpectant future. fathers tree up every yearareand deco-grief. things that and matter most.

‘Christmas Cheer’ – the I get it. somes/ do things to trick ndHowever, that women were more (especially if there a lot genes, this is been anyfound situation and often phone? this week I’ve really paying attention that you have a fertility probpain of someone has mas Movie ‘Miracle on your mind to have this type But can we notwho I see many people rate based on occasionlike Continuously give and rebeWell, normally loss, are very random. Unfortunately, of parents in your social cir- absolutely do feel this take away discomfort. women per- beencheery through event 34th Street,’ said thatlem.ofMost often excited about the heart ornaments on valenlove, kindness, comas an it is fullythat within thisceive positivity and(87 excitement o does their phones simply because men bondgive betweento a pregnant Please take my advice the meansthat that there was cle). to For the importance I and others around me a This A miscarriage isisn’t the loss have miscarriag- traumatic. couples who we passion, “Christmas just acent)allwho Christmas countdown. tines or Halloween ones forgiveness, acour control, because the time. nothing done to have caused – allow yourself to feel and woman and the baby growaday, pregnancy where the es have subsequent normal havealready recently through it’s a frame of mind.” many peopleAjoy during that time- that’s a true ceptance, andcan anything elseexpress dobeen the hard part nat- it,than alofembryo media apps.

Also, older people ingbrings inside so her is unique. these emotions. and nothing be done phone, rather what’s actually going on around them. or foetus does not it is important to knowdon’t that There are qualities andpregnancies and excitement, something story.

Decorate your house. makes you and others Our problems S o , iand n s obirths. m e c aAs e sthis, , urally.

The only thing I would woman can begin bonding it. Normal activdevelop enoughIthat tobelieve survive. is can a somewhat 98 percentatofChristmas. the time, We to prevent behaviours we adoptmiscarriage addicted. this is because to look forward she to. Make a Do you have any idea how feel good.

Continue to give emotions be pre-pro-that disappear Our phones -whether we are speaking to other people, from the moment say you are not allowed to ities such as work, exercise, It typically happensduring within theloaded term —reactions, possibly meaning sug- a miscarriage is notchoice causedto be your time. I know so many many holidays there are in countdown to all thehas or emphasise other make an active grammed sex or minor injuries do not feel, is self-blame. It’s hard a positive pregnancy test. first three months, was by any action takenappreciative, by the sethesmartphones (My father actually Christmas seasonbut thatgesting holidays I mentioned year?

I’m not-even talkingbe people who volunteernotato more grateful, that that theysomething can be expected using social media oronlyplaying games can addictive Bonding for the father typi-and feel as if you did somecause a miscarriage. we can continue all year and even predicted. Many and happier. Somehow and at Christmas. figure way –to after affordabout the national doesout starta later wrong when you loseones. a cally Now, since aWhy? miscar-Ev-thing round, which will improve scientists believe that emo- foras ably and time friendly enjoy There are so many playful eryone gives at Christmas somethey reason, during the riage alter our moods, beliefs and trigger enjoyable is a trauma, it typically pregnancy. However, guilt they start to see the physical our relationships and allow tions arise from the brain, holidays, everyone remem- brings those. holidays every month.

For and forward your favourite charities the five stag- is a completely unhelpful symptoms or some men until colleagues and friends how bad Stayis religious year example, didthere you organisations need itemotion and unenjoyable feelings.

Apart from obviously being born.my Youallcan when isknow noth-thatthe baby es and of griefdenial, anger, round.

I know so many more throughout the rest of January 14th is Nationalhelp your relationship topeomain source ofthecommunication, my phone my newspaple who findunderstandextra joy at up your pet day or is thatsurvive year. Donate old toys, Dress by being due their reliclothes, games or whatever March 20th is World Story-ing,Christmas respectful and to sensitive per, watch, alarm, day planner, calendar, gious beliefs, but there is no Celebrate theseto each you can map, spare- not recorder, only at telling day? other’s needs and reasonkeeping why you can’t keep Christmas because you are and the many others too!feelings, the lines of camera, musicgetting player, calculator, (sometimes) this up all year. these holidays!!communication new ones.

We al- Dress upaforweapon open about Continuously believe know how it helps the It may seem shallow, but it’sthe situationonceevyou are in and my friendready when I’m bored or lonelybasically Old or young – mirreceivers, but studies show a simple fact that when webothmagic! comfortable doing that, happen every daythat donating and giving feel good on the outside, weandacles accept each other’s cop- not erything. However, it is also constant interrupter and just at Christmas. internalise it– find reasons increases self-worth, lowersmy ing mechanisms as they may though the famiand possibilities of and occasions to dress up allbe quiteEven different. distractor. I (I stress imagine much like most of you out there) ly gatherings, overpacked developing mental health year round.

If you have suffered a schedule, free time At Christmas, naughissues.

Some people leave have a deep desire to know everything that is going on. miscarriage and are tryingand whateveragain elseormakes Santa milk and cookies- give ty children get no gifts orto conceive alreadyyou feel good ends when ‘coal’.

Some kids need rethat to charity all year round.

I believe that is human nature. But when does it become pregnant, unfortunately therethe depression, and ing you could have done to is nothing absolute that you too much? bargaining, acceptance. Regarding grief, change the outcome of your can do to ensure there is no there is no right or wrong pregnancy. When something miscarriage but like anything Well, I believe it’s too when it stretch has aelse,name. there are ‘Noactions you we all way to experience it. Theremuch is goes wrong, also no appropriate timeline to find someone, something can take to make the possibilmophobia’ is that themustterm coined describe the fear of being ity less likely.

This includes blame.

With miscarriagbe followed - you toto will simply recover when es, there’s rarely anyone or seeking regular prenatal care, without a mobile phone. Seriously, what have we come to? you do. However, there are thing to blame, and it leaves taking the appropriate vitamins, to avoiding known misfeeling object empty. So, accepthat can be done that us the It that becomes anthings addiction when begins control us to live a happier and adding up three sources bers time is fleeting, would help through this dif- tance of the normalcy of this carriage risk factors — such overall, more fulfilling life. of information to create and people are precious- we ficult process. as smoking, drinking alcohol tragic event is key.activities, your everything life andandinterferes with your daily work, and I genuinely have a much an on-demand experience. appreciate Also, do what makes and illicit drug use. RememThe first to realise is that better time around most peo- These are your physiologi- everyone more. Well, these you are not alone – finding you feel good - despite what ber than you CAN have a relationships.

I accepting read somewhere that “The biggest obstacle ple during Christmas – they cal state, environment, and facts remain the same after and healthy sup- others think. Many people successful pregnancy after are simply lighter and happi- personal experiences. So, for Christmas – every day could port is crucial during this have so unwarranted opin- a miscarriage. Most women to productivity is connectivity,” but overuse can affect a er. I’m not a massive people example – if you like Christ- be the last that you speak to time. This can be friends, ions and criticisms when who have miscarriages have person, so I would love to mas and you see your first or lot see someone. can still family, subsequent of normal have never been through someone whom they moreWe than our orproductivity.

The truth is, overuse ourpregfeel this way more often and set of Christmas decorations spend time with the people you know has also experi- such trauma. Many believe nancies and births. Having I’m sure others do too! love and who makeharm us enced us in the store or you hear your wephones can psychologically, socially physically. a miscarriage does not necshouldn’t beand a miscarriage.

This that such grief Whether you celebrate first Christmas song, based feel good; make plans to do can and should also include experienced if the miscar- essarily mean you have a it or not, Christmas has a on previous experience and so often.With Doing this after professional regard to affecting social how many of us fertility problem. occurredskills, early during help fromour a riage unique cultural impact like its connection to Christmas, Christmas is easier because counsellor, social worker, the pregnancy (even though My final piece of advice no other holiday. It is open- you begin to feel positive you can choose miss outwhom on atopsychologist, joke orreligious goodlead-conversation as we were onisour either parent to respect most do), but that woman or for ly looked forward to from and excited. Yes, we can invite and you don’t have to er, or anyone who makes you couple may have been plan- your own needs and limitaaround October (earlier for do this to our brains all year putphones? new begins, the heart inforcement throughout thetions Carolling!

People lovening in that much effort.

How feel many times have we annoyed our good as year you friend work through a pregnancy for years or comfortable.

There are some) and consumes the round. of the holiday can last all year.

Teach them that it’s carolling!

Surround yourself So many people say also online support groups just felt a great rush of love your grief and begin to heal. orisfamily because we were posting on social media entire month of December. year long. not just important to be good music all year round. no place likemember home thatwith Firstly, putting into con- there are free and include peo- and excitement and that is Don’t rush it, acceptance will I want to talk about how we tent with the above example, for the holidays- indicat- pleKeep Thanks for reading. at Christmas for presents, the music as itdifficult come. to just simply from all over thealive world. much funYouwe are having them?

Itforget truly affects ourto send can all keep up the “holiday what makes you feel good inghow rather it is vital to be Please helps happywith that they only go home Thank continue you everyone andbut move on from. can increase literally the google spirit’ of cheer and joy all year round- but without the stressful parts such as finan-

about the season? Whatever it is, we can incorporate it into our daily or weekly

caitlinvieira@ person all to year round.fortopics hormones in the brain.forThe good or rarely do unless it’s the “online reading.toPlease include If you’d like name support groups gmail.com.

I’ve met plenty of kids in Christmas decorations make holidays. Change that! Yes, miscarriages” and thousands your baby, plant a tree for sending topics to caitlinvieGuyana, I think talk this isira@gmail.com people happy, don’tthem, drives and flights are long, of options have asofuneral, will popbutup.weThis way, you can also remain about it or not talk about it- it

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

XXI

Christmas on Main Street FOR me, one of the better parts of the Christmas season this year has been the Christmas village created on Main Street in Georgetown. Aside from my childlike wonder at the lights draped on the trees throughout the avenue, I have a deep sense of appreciation for the space provided for people like myself to enjoy.

On Sunday, for example, my friends and I spent hours just sitting and chatting on a bench along the avenue on Main street. We played an occasional human bingo- trying to spot someone with a pink mask or green hair.

We were there with a Guyanese friend who lives in Trinidad, but was visiting for a few days. We spent weeks trying to figure what we could do to give him a taste of Guyana- and better yet, a taste of a quintessential Guyanese Christmas timewithout travelling far and wide.

And that’s where the brilliance of the Christmas village manifested. It was like the Regent Street of a Guyanese Christmas- you know, that place where you find everything, from the food to the locally made gifts (some small businesses, which makes it even better). For a brief period, you could have enjoyed Guyanese talents- song and dance, including the traditional masquerade, which is yet another beloved Guyanese

And I think that was why I really connected with the Main Street Christmas village. It was just someplace you visited because you don’t feel like you have any other feasible option; it was someplace you wanted to go to.

What made this experience all the more enriching is that there aren’t many spaces similar to this, in Georgetown, where I think I would be comfortable just sitting around and enjoying each other’s company- while still possessing the ever-present options of having something to do. Out there, for example, we could have walked around and enjoyed the lights, we could have bought ice cream, or we could have checked out a booth.

Christmas tradition.

Importantly, too, when you think of places to ‘hang out’ and ‘hold a vibe,’ the first places that come to mind for me are the malls and theatres, or for a slightly classier experience, a restaurant or a bar. There’s nothing wrong with any of those places but sometimes, I think it’s nice to have something different.

You know?

Because I am doing a course that encompasses a bit of urban development and geospatial planning, I became curious about the benefits of spaces such as these. More formally, spaces such as these are part of green infrastructure. And Carr et al. (1992) posit that public space can help satisfy people’s needs, shape, define, and protect significant human rights, and

convey special cultural meanings.

If you think about that position and Main Street, I think it satisfies that need for some shared space that makes you feel as though you’re part of a much wider community and it helps to convey that quintessential Guyanese Christmas feeling of being surrounded by those things- whether food, gifts or people- that gives tangible meaning to the celebrations.

Certainly, in these ‘Covidious’ times, the only slightly off-putting factor was that the sheer number of people out there were enough to make me anxious about the spread of the novel coronavirus. Still, if you were diligent enough, you could find a smaller space to make your own (in our case, we were lucky that we found a bench and it was ours all night).

So, while we’re here reflecting on Christmas Day this yearand possibly praying that next Christmas could come soon enough- I think it is nice to appreciate that we have this space.

Before I go, I wanted to point out that I was younger than 10 years old when the ‘Main Big Lime’ was in full swing so I barely have faint memories of what that was like. Still, I imagine that the Main Street Christmas village is not a distant concept. And so, when I hear my older friends talk about Main Big Lime, I feel like I can understand where that sense of nostalgia is rooted in.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

December 26, 2021

Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmation strong As proofs of holy WILLIAM SHAK writ.

ESP (1564-1616) Henry EARE VIII

STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome, dear friend. You may recall that from time to time we stressed upon study methods which depend upon how study is done. Is your study full-time, night or day school, distance? What is your study method for? In the long run, whatever the type of study may be, plenty of practice in spotting examination style questions and writing examination style answers are needed. In any study situation three techniques are important – reading, concentration, and memory. Be wise.

Love you.

THE PASSAGE 1. Reading comprehension Read the following passage carefully then answer questions 1-5 that follow.

Mr. Cook strapped his three-year-old toddler into the car seat, making sure the child’s belt was fastened securely.

“Daddy, I forgot my robot!” the little girl cried out.

Mr. Cook knew this robot was plastic and could do some harm if the car came to a sudden stop. He went into the house and came back with a colourful stuffed toy.

“Take your clown, Junie. He’s safer in the car.”

Mr. Cook looked under his car to be sure there was nothing in his path – like a stray toy or a neighbourhood pet or even a child. Then he got in and put on his seatbelt. After looking in both directions, Mr. Cook carefully backed his car out of the driveway.

1. What kind of person do you think is Mr. Cook?

(A) harsh (B) responsible (C) frightened careless

(D)

2. How does the author reveal this?

(A) He let Mr. Cook make certain that all was well before driving off.

(B) He told us that Mr. Cook had a toddler strapped in his car.

(C) He made Mr. Cook use valuable time in checking before reversing out.

(D)He told us that Mr. Cook carefully backed his car out of the driveway.

3. Another term for “toddler” is (A) a child who uses paddles. (B) a very young student.

(C ) a child who loves toys. (D) a child with unsteady walk.

4. Plastic robots could harm children by (A) blindness (B) suffocation (C) headache wounding

(D)

5. “Fastened securely” means (A) fitted in (B) fast acting nailed in

(D)

(C) fixed firmly

2. Word, sentence and paragraph meaning Choose the correct meaning for the underlined word in each sentence. a). A long time ago, knights or mounted soldiers wore coats of mail into battle.

(A) garment (B) metal (C) iron (D) tin b). “Poach the fish before saucing it lightly,” directed the chief cook means (A) cook it lightly (B) eat it slowly (C) simmer it in liquid (D) make it into a sauce c). I have a cramp in the muscle of my left calf.

(A) young cow (B) lower leg (C) ageing cough (D) weak muscle d). Read the passage then pick out the line that best describes what the author is thinking.

It was the flashiest car I have ever seen. The colour was – believe it or not – purple, and the chrome was gold-trimmed instead of silver. The halogen headlamps jutted out about a yard. The seats were covered with a gaudy fake fur that stuck out in unattractive tufts. The final blow: the owner had his

name printed in pink script on the driver’s door.

The author is thinking that the car is – (A) expensive looking. (B) terrible looking (C) liked by everyone (D) none of the above.

THE PASSAGE More meaning to understand Safter the scooter competition that had taken place in the abandoned airfield, the judges didn’t know what to do.

The train had been so thick that they couldn’t possibly tell who was first. So, they decided to ask the three competitors what they had seen. Each of them, Simpson, Samuels, and Simmons, made two statements but unfortunately one of the three boys lied in his statement. The other two told the truth.

Here is what each of them said. Can you help the judges to find who the first three competitors were?

Simpson said, “I was first. The last was Simmons.”

Samuels said, “Alan wasn’t first. The second was Simmons.”

Simmons said, “I was just before Simpson. Samuels was second.”

Here is some help by way of some small tickling questions: 1. Can both Simpson and Samuels tell the truth about Simmons?

2. Therefore, can you tell whether Simmons lies or tells the truth?

3. Now that you know whether Simmons tells the truth or not, consider his statement and compare it to what Alan Simpson and Samuels said. Who told the truth: Simpson or Samuels?

4. Now, consider the information in the statements of the competitors who told the truth. Who was second? Who was after him? Therefore, who must have been first?

GRAMMAR Sentence and sentence fragments Reminder: To be a sentence, a group of words must have a verb (simple predicate) and a subject. A word group that does not make complete sense is a sentence fragment.

Look at the following groups of words. If a word group is a sentence, write its verb and subject alongside it.

If the word group is only a sentence fragment, form it into a sentence. Compare your work with a fellow study partner.

1. Simeon, having visited the famous zoo innumerable times and being surprised that a jaguar killing incident there.

2. The cake on that side of the table is made of plantain flour mix.

3. In the rainy season, villages in the hinterland sometimes are deeply flooded.

4. Running madly down the last leg of the track.

5. We may never again see the front of the band.

6. Sharpened to pinpointed finesse, the pencil lay invitingly on the clean sheet of paper.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Monday, December 27, 2021