Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 06-10-2024

Rising above

Four-time cancer survivor shares her journey of resilience

Sunday, October 06, 2024

Anna DeMorias, cancer survivor and inspiration (Delano Willams Photo)

Plant-based products for hair and beard debuts at Favour’s Hair Therapy

A natural haven

Forest

Ranger

shares insights about life in Apoteri Village

WHEN Falana Fraser established Favour’s Hair Therapy, it was out of love due to her son’s hair condition. Today, it has become a thriving small business empowering her to realise her true potential with her own haircare and beard products.

WHEN Nigel John heard about a training programme at Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre, he wasn’t confident enough to apply, but with encouragement from locals, he did and was selected to become a candidate for the training programme to become a certified Forest Ranger.

Having only primary education as a native of Apoteri Village, a remote Amerindian Settlement located between the Essequibo and Rupununi Rivers in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), John was not fortunate to benefit from secondary and tertiary education.

The products include hair oil, hair pomade, beard oil, beard wash and conditioner, edge balm, shampoo and conditioner, hair mist, beard and hair tools.

According to her selfnamed business, Favour’s Hair Therapy, “promote(s) healthy and strong growth for all hair types”. It is a small business that started in the kitchen, and it had a trial period before the products were launched.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is originally from Shea, South Rupununi, but relocated to Apoteri Village in 1986 when his father worked with the then balata company. He is from a family of six siblings, but two brothers have since passed away, one lives in Brazil, and two of his three sisters reside in Apoteri Village.

and I endured 22 training courses to become a certified Forest Ranger in Guyana from the level of conservation to survival, and I have been at the job for the past 20 years, so with determination and the will to succeed anything is possible,” he said.

John was then the chairman of the Community Wildlife Club in Apoteri Village, which has 40 members, mostly youths, who were tasked with data collection and identifying birds, trees, and fish in the community.

John told the Pepperpot Magazine that in Apoteri Village, the population is made up of the offspring of the Mucushi, Wapishana and Patamona tribes. He explained that the locals earn via parttime jobs with the private tour operators as a tourism destination in sport-fishing of arapaima in the ‘catch and release’ method since they do not harvest the largest freshwater fish in the world.

John revealed that the sport fishing season is from August to March annually, but after this period, the locals depend heavily on subsistence fishing and farming for their livelihood.

His parents live with him, and they enjoy a qui-

Fraser is originally from Uitvlugt but resides at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. She is married and has a three-year-old son. She explained that after the birth of her child, she noticed that he had issues with hair growth, and parts of his head were very patchy with no hair, and she wanted to change that.

detailed research, and af ter gaining knowledge, she experimented with some ingredients and made a hair oil from aloe, coconut oil and onion.

the home-made oil into her son’s hair/scalp, and within a short time, she noticed a difference: his bald spots were replaced with new hair growth, and soon he had a full head of hair which could be held in a ponytail.

her son’s once-patchy hair was replaced by full hair growth within three to four months, and today, his hair remains healthy and full.

Magazine that the positive results in her child’s hair process motivated her to make more of the plantbased hair oil and she began sharing it among family members.

within her family tree, and one day, her father encour aged her to utilise her new found skill to establish a small business to bring in an income to her home.

launched her products in which the hair oil infused

et, simple life in a natural setting in the beautiful sport-fishing community of Apoteri. The father of six stated that due to the location of the village, many things were not accessible. As such, he did not benefit from secondary education,

and he had to leave school after completing primary school.

He stated that they also participated in cultural festivals to promote the club and to educate locals about biodiversity.

ness. Fraser’s hair oil was then vetted as safe for use by the relevant authorities, certified and has its own and everything from plants

small business, she operates from the confines of her home but has pick-up locations in the city and on the West Coast Demerara.

John added that he was always willing to learn despite challenges, and he went into trapping songbirds, which he sold locally for three years to have a

As a small business owner, Fraser says of all her products, three have been FDA-approved and she is working to get all certified but is registered with Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), GCCI and, GSMA and the Small Business Bu-

She related that being

stable income. He related that during that time, he learnt of a training programme being offered at Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre, but he didn’t apply.

registered with the authorities is an avenue for networking and marketing the products, and it is beneficial to have all your prod -

Sometime later, a villager encouraged him to send in an application. He later received

John noted that as a Forest Ranger, he travelled around the country a bit, and for him, Apoteri Village is the best place to live because of the natural setting, the abundance of wildlife, and the simplicity that appeals to him.

ucts certified, labelled, and well-packaged.

afloat. She added that her vision is to produce top-quality, effective products and she would like to become number one in haircare and beard oils.

He stated that they have several lodges in the surrounding villages, which provide employment for some locals, but they will soon make Apoteri Village a tourism destination by opening their very own lodge.

She reported that scores of people were genuinely interested in the products and even encouraged her to produce more. She was also complimented on her attractive packaging.

John disclosed that the construction of the proposed name Apoteri Balata Lodge is 95 percent complete, and they are hoping it will be officially opened in November.

Fraser stated that although all the manufacturing takes place at her home, she would someday like to have a separate facility for that purpose, along with a store to sell and display her products.

He noted that the lodge will be managed and operated by the locals and will provide stable employment for some and they are hoping to promote tourism in the village.

John told the Pepperpot Magazine that Apoteri Village is a beautiful place that is ideal for eco-tourism.

The Apoteri resident said they have a package offering tours, etc., to promote tourism and generate income for their small community, which has a lot to explore.

“I advertise my small business via social media, that is, Facebook and Tik Tok, and I often have to produce daily content to promote my products and I can say I have a few loyal customers. I supply a few salons, spas and barber shops, the Guyana Shop and Coss Cutter Supermarket with my products in which sales have been fair,” she said.

Fraser is the holder of a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and is certified in law from London University.

Because he is involved in many things apart from being a Forest Ranger, John reported that he usually has a lot of tasks to complete, and soon they will be embarking on the production of another documentary that promotes sport-fishing in the village via the ‘catch and release’ method.

a letter stating he was selected for an interview, after which he was among the candidates for the Forest Ranger training programme.

“It was not easy; I had to apply myself to the fullest,

The mother of one stated that she is constantly inspired by customers and their reviews and testimonials of the products, and being a small business isn’t ‘all bed of roses’. It requires hard work, dedication, consistency and money to stay

“For the very first time, this year, I had a booth at the Emancipation Day celebrations in the National Park and I was pleased with the response I attracted through my products, which I am using as a motivating factor to keep going,” she said.

He pointed out that during the off-peak sport-fishing season, jobs are not always within reach in the village, and youths would have to travel to other places to secure parttime jobs in the mining and logging areas.

Being self-employed is quite empowering and she feels that there is no restraint in becoming successful in business through networking, marketing and consistency.

As a poin of pride, John added that recently, a documentary shot by Reel Guyana, which highlighted residents’ rescue efforts to save trapped arapaimas in shallow waters in Apoteri Village, was broadcast in the village during their mini heritage celebration in late September.

Fraser always represents her brand, Favour’s Hair Therapy, with her custom-made shirts and other products, which she proudly wears and display.

Falana Fraser, entrepreneur.

Favour’s Hair Therapy plant-based products (Yohan Savory photos)

Falana Fraser and her products.

Nigel John poses with an arapaima in their community.

Forest Ranger, Nigel John.

Rising above

Four-time cancer survivor shares her journey of resilience

AS we move into the month of October, hundreds of women will be out and about in pink to promote breast cancer awareness, commonly known as Pinktober.

Among the many stories that will be told this season, few resonate as powerfully as that of Anna DeMorias, a four-time cancer survivor whose journey exemplifies courage, resilience, and hope.

Continuing to be a light for others, Anna emphasises that women should not wait; do whatever it takes to save their lives, and understand that cancer does not have to change who you are as a person. Neither does it define you.

LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER CANCER

Before her initial diagnosis, Anna embodied what society would consider the picture of health. A devoted mother, wife, and working woman, she maintained an active lifestyle that included regular ‘gym’ sessions— further reinforcing the fact that anyone can develop cancer. However, one ordinary day would alter the course of her life when she discovered a lump in her breast.

Despite her typically brave nature, Anna hesitated before seeking medical attention, a decision she now reflects on as life-changing. “I was living a normal life, day-to- day, working, taking care of my kids and everything. I was just going to the ‘gym’ one morning, like I always did, and when I came back, I felt a lump by my right side. I got scared, but I didn’t go to the hospital right away. It was months later, in 2008, that I finally decided to get it checked, and the biopsy came back positive for cancer,” she said. The diagnosis revealed Stage Three cancer.

The decision to have her right breast removed was a difficult one, but Anna made the bold choice to save her life. “I wasn’t crying or nothing when they told me I had cancer. I told my family, and everybody was there for me. You know, I had to have surgery, and then later, I had nine months of chemotherapy,” she explained. But that was just the beginning of a long and difficult battle with

cancer, as it would later appear in her lungs and left breast. When initially given a grim prognosis, Anna refused to accept defeat, and sought out other avenues. “I didn’t give up, though. I went to the Cancer Institute, and they told me it was 50-50. But I had faith, and I said, ‘It’s in God’s hands now.’ I started chemotherapy again at ‘Mercy’, and then at

the ‘Public Hospital’. Nine months of ‘chemo’, and I made it through.” However, her battle was far from over. “But then, in 2015, I felt another pain in my breast. I went straight to the hospital, and they did another biopsy. It came back positive again; Cancer! I didn’t wait

A group of survivors gathered in Georgetown for a tree-wrapping ceremony. Among them, Anna (Delano Williams photos)

Anna DeMorias, cancer survivor and inspiration (Delano Willams Photo)

Pretty Local

How one woman keeps Amerindian culture alive year-round

By Shaniya Harding.

EVERY September, Guyana comes alive in celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month. As a multicultural melting pot, the nation embraces this vital part of Guyanese culture with passion and authenticity—until September returns the following year.

Anselia Ranny, owner of ‘Pretty Local’, is taking it a step further by celebrating what is otherwise a seasonal occasion year-round. In the last five years, her business has emerged

as one of the few places where people can experience Amerindian culture any day of the year.

Anselia’s heritage is integral to her identity. Born and raised in the village of Kamarang in Region Seven of Guyana, she grew up alongside the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers. Reflecting on her upbringing, she states, “I’m from the Akawaio tribe. We basically grew up on hunting, fishing, farming.”

When Anselia found herself far from home, she sought out the traditional food she knew and loved. Initially, her cooking was a way to feel closer to home, and teach her children about

their culture. She began seeking out hard-to-find ingredients, with rare fish and staples such as farine being challenging to obtain. As word spread about the woman cooking Indigenous dishes in Vryheid’s Lust, her customer base grew. With the support of family and friends, many of whom fell in love with the tastes of Region Seven, she opened ‘Pretty Local’ five years ago.

At Pretty Local, customers can find an authentic slice of Amerindian cuisine every day. “I basically sell fresh local products, seawater fish, and Indigenous staples. I also make tuma pot or pepperpot on weekends. But I normally open business every day... Every day, we open from 6 o’clock to 8 o’clock,” Anselia explains.

The journey to establishing Pretty Local wasn’t just about business; it was about filling a void in the community. “When I came out here, there was no place selling these foods. I know about Princes Street, but then to go there is a long distance. So, I decided to make my own ‘tuma pot’,” Anselia recalls. With encouragement from her husband and family, what started as a small venture quickly gained popularity. “We started off very small. And then we ended up getting a lot of people complimenting my ‘tuma pot’.”

The authenticity of Pretty Local’s offerings has attracted customers from across Guyana. “We have a lot of people from different regions. Actually, almost all the regions just come here to support,” Anselia says proudly. Word-of-mouth has been her best advertisement, with satisfied customers bringing friends to experience the unique flavours. “Even people from out here, a friend would bring them and say, come and try this. And when they come, they taste it good. You would see them. The other week, they would come back.”

Keeping it simple and traditional

Anselia’s commitment to traditional cooking methods sets her apart in a world of shortcuts and substitutions. One of her specialities is tuma pot, an Indigenous dish made with fish boiled in cassava broth. When describing her preparation, she emphasises simplicity. “When making my tuma pot, I make it naturally. I do not add any other stuff. I just use this: The cassava water, the pepper, and the fish. That’s all. And salt.” This dedication to authenticity isn’t just about taste; it’s about respecting traditional practices.

Anselia refuses to compromise when sourcing her products. She’s particularly discerning about the famed traditional drink, ‘piwari’. In recent years, there has been a decline in the authentic version. “Now, you have to wait months to get your piwari if you want the local piwari. They’re selling a lot of piwari, but they are very different from the one we make; not the traditional one,” she explains.

Pretty Local isn’t just selling meals; it’s providing an ed-

Anselia Ranny, Owner of Pretty Local (Samuel Maughn photo)

Traversing the Essequibo River as a speedboat captain for more than 40 years

By Michel Outridge

BEING a speedboat captain is no small feat. In fact, the undertaking is quite dangerous, and James McGarrell, better known as “Calvin”, is well aware of this. McGarrell must be aware of the tides and weather conditions at all times, and must implement safety as part of his operations to keep himself and his passengers safe and preserve life.

McGarrell is a native of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and still resides in the community, a place that is familiar to him. The 63-yearold is far from hanging up his gloves when it comes to work as a speedboat captain. He has spent more than 40 years traversing the Essequibo River, and he knows all the nooks and crannies, and just about every corner in that river.

Since he was a boy, he has been going to the beach in Parika, where he used to sit and watch the boats and their operators. Back then, the location contained a structure just like the seawall, but that has long washed away. McGarrell told himself that one day he would become a boat captain, because he would visit to observe the men and their boats day after day.

He wanted to be just like them. He liked the way they mastered the boat, and they seemed to be in total control.

For him, it looked so easy, and he took a liking to it. He embedded the idea of becoming a boat captain in his mind, and he grew with it.

James McGarrell

Tours, would hire boats for trips in the Essequibo River to go to resorts, heritage sites, waterfalls, and other places for the day. McGarrell

pointed out that this is not everyday work, but at times, they would get a few trips per week, and he gets paid for the day, based on the trips

and prices per hire.

He added that he likes his job, because he gets to meet many people from all over the world; tourists and also our local people. And he gets to show them our beautiful Guyana; something he is very proud of.

McGarrell said that as part of his job, he would tell people about Guyana, and as a seasoned boat captain, he is familiar with many places on the Essequibo River.

He related that he never gets tired of visiting the same places over and over again, and some of the most visited places include Fort Island, Sloth Island, Bartica, Aruwai, Baganara, and Fort Kyk-Over-Al, among others.

When he was old enough, at age 15, he made sure he was around to secure a job with boat owners and boat captains.

From doing odd jobs at Parika Stelling to becoming a boat captain was a long and hard journey for McGarrell, whose only consolation was that one day he would fulfill his dream.

“I was at the Parika Stelling working, willing to learn, and I gained knowledge from a former boat captain, the late Floyd Griffith, who had his own speedboat,

and after he passed away, I went to work with others. As time went by, I became licensed, because it was the right thing to do, and from there, I was able to master the job of being a boat captain on my own,” he said.

Even though McGarrell doesn’t own his own speedboat, he works with Justin Chance, who owns four speedboats that ply the Parika to Supenaam route.

McGarrell told the Pepperpot Magazine that the boats are outfitted with individual cushioned seats for 22, 21, 19 and 20 passengers, respectively. All of the vessels have sheds, and the necessary safety gear, including life jackets, which must be worn.

The father of five and grandfather of seven stated that he began working with boats when they were small and had no sheds like they do now. Back then, a boat was just 10 to 15 dollars.

Growing up, McGarrell’s options for employment were very limited, since he was forced to leave school early. So, apart from liking the profession, it was also one of the only options in life. Even though it was not easy, he reported that he learned a lot and gained experience over the years.

He related that two licenced tour operators, Touring Guyana and Dagron

One of the four speedboats he captains for tours moored at Parika Stelling

James McGarrell doing what he loves best, at the wheel on the Essequibo River

‘Nothing is too difficult to achieve’

How education empowers women in Guyana’s Rupununi

By Shaniya Harding

BEYOND the bright lights of Georgetown, Guyana’s capital city, life throughout the country’s vastness differs

from place to place, each community unique in its own way. Yet the pursuit of education remains universal, with women like Marlyn Brown leading the way as champions of learning.

The teacher and mother of five says that coming from a single-parent home showed her that women are capable of more than they know. Now pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Marlyn hopes to pave the way for more women to pursue greater pursuits.

Before becoming the inspirational powerhouse she is today, Marlyn grew up in a family of seven, with five sisters and three brothers. This was where she gained her ambition, watching her mother work for her family and raise successful children; Marlyn was motivated to take it one step further. Reflecting on her mother, she states, “My mom helped financially. She was never someone who was sitting there waiting for things; she would go out there to work. What she used to say is that you have to study; you have to educate yourself, and you have to work for your own money. Nobody is going to put things in your pocket. You have to do it; you have to get it.”

After completing school, Marlyn, like many young women in her community, faced limited career options. Following her older sister’s advice, she pursued teaching, one of just a few choices. “You would have known that after you complet-

ed your CXC, you can become a teacher, you can become a police officer, you can become a nurse,” she explains. “I had two other sisters. One of them went to Brazil when she hadn’t completed her work. The other one is a teacher now; a qualified teacher, too. Growing up, I had two other siblings that I would look after.”

After becoming a teacher, Marlyn felt inspired to do more. She undertook a training course with the Board of Industrial Training. Although a simple venture, it sparked her enthusiasm for learning new skills she could bring back to both her community and classroom. “I’m a teacher at the primary school, completed my teacher’s training. I also did a programme with the Board of Industrial Training and Commercial Preparation, where I learned new skills. This has been very helpful in my classroom, I have found it to be very helpful, in that you do the practical part of teaching, and then the theory, you’ll be better able to explain.”

Marlyn is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree online in the heart of the Rupununi. But she does not plan to stop there; her dream is to be part

Marlyn Brown, teacher, mother and wife, currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree (Samuel Maughn photo)

Paradise with purpose

Exploring tourism in Guyana’s Rupununi

By Shaniya Harding

THE Rock View Lodge is a well-known name among nature lovers and frequent travellers of the Rupununi. The beautiful assortment of lodges, among the trees and surrounded by mountains and red dust of the region, makes Rock View perhaps one of Guyana’s most attractive tourist destinations.

But hundreds of people have ventured to the Rupununi

escape for more than sightseeing and a taste of Guyana.

Found just outside of Annai, Rock View was built on the principles of sustainability and family. Crafted by Englishman Colin Edwards, Rock View Lodge has been redefining tourism in the region for more than thirty years.

Born to a Welsh father and a Basque mother in post-World War II Europe, Colin’s childhood experiences shaped his future path. No stranger to diversity and travel, Colin was taught the importance of people and place at an early age by his parents, who were frequent travellers throughout Europe.

These early years of travelling, meeting new people, and having new experiences is what he says would later captivate him about Guyana. As he stated, “As a child, we would travel to faraway places and stay in humble lodges, farmhouses, vineyards, but never in big hotels. My parents’ love was for the mountains, the lake district, the farms of the Isle of Skye, and this created in me an understanding of the value of being in contact with nature and the people who live in a natural environment.”

The journey to Guyana Edwards arrived in Guyana in 1969 as a volunteer. Young and adventurous, he came to the Land of Many Waters with purpose. Although having spent time in countries like Germany, Peru, and Panama, Guyana seemed to have something special about it. Whether it was the rolling hills of the savannah or the warmth of the Guyanese people, Edwards soon decided to settle down in Guyana.

He was not captivated by just the sights, sounds, and tastes; however, Colin came as a part of Guyana’s early agricultural venture. “I came to Guyana in 1969 as a VSO with Voluntary Service Overseas to work with the Ministry of Agriculture in the Northwest District of Guyana with the objective of settling farmers through the cooperative system to involve themselves in agricultural activities,” he said.

Building Rock View Lodge

His vision for Rock View Lodge was clear from the beginning. He had visited hotels and lodges around the world, and he wanted to create something different. One of the things that is striking about the Rock View Lodge is how in tune it appears with nature. A series of small lodges and buildings

seem to have become one with the neighbouring dark green foliage.

This is because Rock View is a part of the Rupununi, built among the trees. Rock View has a sustainable and environmentally-safe approach, with all natural avenues having been explored. “The prime objective is that our niche market is for community tourism benefit besides, of course, protecting the biodiversity of our rainforest.”

Edwards recognised the need for economic diversification in Indigenous communities as well. One of the reasons that Rock View has become such a big part of the region is its involvement with local communities. Colin and his family work alongside Amerindians to better understand the land and region. This has translated into people from the surrounding areas working with Rock View Lodge. Colin sees tourism, specifically agro-tourism, as one of the best ways to build and diversify the economies of Rupununi communities. “Our Indigenous people live a lifestyle of subsistence through farming, hunting, and fishing. What we have learned in the Rupununi is that agriculture and tourism are the main sustainable economic activities,” he said.

A family approach to business What sets Rock View Lodge apart is its approach to staffing.

Colin Edwards, Founder of Rock View Lodge (Samuel Maughn Photos)

BLACK CROWS FLYING

WILDFLOWERS ON AN OCTOBER MORNING

SHE stood at the water’s edge, her torn dress swirling around her legs, a lone figure shrouded in the shadows of the night. A foreboding silence hung over the beach as the tamed wind gently lifted the dark tresses of hair falling over her face. A pretty face it was, streaked with sand and dry tears.

God.

How, then, did evil interrupt her life?

ly grieving family, who just couldn’t process the fact that she was no more in their lives.

A young girl in pain, alone, at the beach in the dead of the night.

What happened to her?

CHRIS parked the Range Rover at the side of the main road on the East Coast and stepped out, pulling his cap down low so as not to be recognised. He stood there for a little while, looking at the place he had come to visit. It was a quiet, secluded area, and after taking a deep breath, he walked a little way to a narrow dam that the villagers called Old Road. It led through a small village where he had lived as a little boy.

The deep, haunting look in her eyes, the ashen face and colourless lips told a story of something cold.

“This road I can never forget,” he voiced to himself, “My footprints are probably embedded in the dirt.”

Hushed were the wind and water as something bad unfolded the night before on the sandy beach. No one heard her cries, her pleas on the deserted beach and when they were gone, a young body was left on the sand, helpless and broken.

It was a road he had walked as a little boy going to school with worn boots and wrinkled uniforms, a road where he had to hold his drunken father’s hand to guide him home.

“The suffering of those days,” he expressed, a wry smile on his face.

She turned and walked back to the mangrove trees, no footprints in the sand, for late that night the pain had ebbed away like the tide, and one last tear trickled from her eyes as she took her last breath.

He walked further and saw the old house he had lived in standing still but in a neglected state. Nothing much had changed in the little village, nestled between silk cotton, tamarind and genip trees, a place time seemed to have forgotten.

“How did this happen?” she cried, “They were my friends, whom I trusted to take me home.”

Her heart beat no more, and the coal-black eyes shed no more tears, but she was not going into the light, not now. It was not her time. She did not have to die, not that way. Not for someone who revered God and had good values. She was a classical dancer and a teacher, recognised for her talent and as an educator, it was all wrong, her death.

He left when he was fourteen to join a cricket academy in the city sponsored by an overseas-based sports organisation. He had been spotted at school competitions for his batting talent, and that opportunity reshaped his life. He had visited home for short periods until his first call-up at the national level, and from then on, he had never looked back. But he had promised one person to return one day after becoming successful and established, and he never forgot that promise.

It was a kind old villager, Aunty Sheila.

No one had an answer.

All the media houses carried the story, and shock rippled through her community and the nation. The boys who had given her a ride home were held for questioning, but they all stated that they knew nothing.

Their story was that she had received a phone call on the

On the day of her funeral, she went back home in her spiritual form to comfort her family and to confront her killers. They would be in attendance, she knew, amongst the huge turnout of mourners.

All her friends were there, those who were true, who had regrets. She saw their tears, heard their shocked whispers as prayers and songs eulogized her life. She stood amongst her family, holding her mother’s and father’s hands, hugging her brother and sister, wiping their tears.

But they were not aware of her presence. Her mother, though, seemed to sense something and whispered, “Aryana?”

The family turned to look at her mother, and she broke down crying, “She’s here with us. My baby is here.”

The father hugged her, helping her to stay strong as the highly emotional services paid tribute to their young daughter’s life and honouring her departed soul to guide her on her final journey.

A cynical smile played on Aryana’s lips as the viewing began, and she whispered, “It’s showtime.”

She had a small fireside under the tamarind tree, not far from her house and every morning, she cooked delicious local food for customers in and out of the village. Chris had to pass her every morning on his way to school, and since there was always insufficient food at his home, his stomach would rumble from the aroma of Aunty Sheila’s food. A few times, he had paused, wanting something to eat, but didn’t ask. Then, one morning, she called him and asked, “Yuh hungry beta?” He had nodded.

She was supposed to have ridden home with her two friends, Aruna and Preity, that night after the cultural programme, but a late change of plans by them to go out with their boyfriends caused her to ride home instead with two male friends she knew very well. The other two boys she had met only once at a wedding reception, but they seemed like nice guys. On the way home, she had a bottle of fruit drink, and a slight drowsiness overcame her, which she thought was tiredness, but it must have been something else. She became dazed and did not notice the detour on the lonely road to the beach that would be deserted at that hour.

“Yuh doan get enough food at home?”

way home and asked them to stop for someone else to pick her up.

She raised her head slowly and stood up, looking at the heavens, a burning passion of pain and anger in her voice, “I will not come home, not until I have destroyed the monsters who took my honour and my life.”

She stretched her arms out, and from the abyss of death and darkness, she screamed, unleashing fury and agony.

“I call on dark forces to lend me the evil power to destroy those spawned from evil, and for that, I will give you my soul.”

Aruna and Preity just couldn’t stop crying. Such were their regrets for leaving her that night, but the fury burning in Aryana could not forgive them, so she threw out the fresh roses they brought for her. There were loud gasps from those close enough to see what happened, and the two friends stepped back, scared. Her killers were also approaching her coffin bearing red roses, and she called upon her emissaries of the dark world, “It’s time.”

The sight of the black crows, their loud cawing and wild fluttering wings, created a frightening scene as they flew circles around her coffin, then among the mourners who scattered to avoid the vicious birds. The birds were gone as fast as they came, but left in their wake were fear and shock. Never had anything of that nature happened at a funeral service. What could have triggered something so ominous was the burning question.

Aryana watched her killers hurriedly leave and smiled, cold fury in her eyes, “It’s just the beginning.”

Betrayed by those who masqueraded as friends. “Why? Where is my wrong?” were her soundless, agonising cries.

He had shaken his head, and the old lady had clicked her tongue sympathetically, “Yuh need good food tuh grow and become a big bai.”

The sky rumbled, the water became restless, and the wind howled as she waited under the mangrove trees.

To be continued…

She told him to sit on one of the tree stumps, and she wrapped fried bora with shrimp, potato, and tomatoes in a roti and gave it to him with a tin cup of lime tea.

She looked up at the heavens and continued to cry, “You are my God. I believed in you. Where were you when I cried for help?”

The beach was silent as the lone figure sat with her head bent. There was no place in the world for her anymore.

Food, for Chris, had never tasted that good, like that morning.

It stayed etched in his memory and more so on that morning. Wildflowers were in riotous bloom all around, making it a good day.

“I died,” she moaned, “My mother and father have lost their little girl.”

A fisherman had discovered her body lying on the sand early the next morning. She stood there, unseen in her spiritual form, watching as the police cordoned off the area and canvassed the scene for clues. Word spread, and a crowd gathered, shocked and angry that such a horrible thing had happened to a decent young girl.

From that day on, she gave him food regularly, resulting in his strength and agility improving enough to get him selected for cricket matches and not be ignored for poor performances. It was all through the kind act of an old lady that helped him to perfect his game and that talent opened doors of opportunities for him.

She had watched helplessly as her father, shocked beyond words, sank to his knees and broke down, crying as he looked at her lifeless body.

One night, two nights passed, then on the third morning, just before the break of dawn, as the high tide rushed across the sand and the wind whistled shrilly, four black crows appeared from the far horizon. She stood up, her coal-black eyes watching as the crows drew closer and closer and alighted on the mangrove trees. Her wait was over.

The dark abyss had answered her call to fight evil with evil.

He had looked up at the heavens, his hands clasped, his voice breaking, “Why…why God? Why, my little girl?”

Today, that poor boy had become rich and popular, but the one person he wanted to thank was not there. The fireside from under the tamarind tree was gone and her house had gotten old and was in dire need of repairs.

“What happened here?”

When the hours had gotten late last night, and she hadn’t yet come home, her phone turned off, and her mother experienced a deep feeling of dread, her father, brother and cousins had begun searching until daylight.

“For each new day, now,” she vowed, “stones will bleed.”

No one could console her father. What should she tell her mother, who was waiting at home battling her fears?

Even the heavens trembled that day at the mother’s cries for the child she had brought into this world, a blessing from

He was sort of puzzled because he had been sending money regularly to take care of her health and her house, letting her know she was always in his thoughts. He stood there, trying to figure out what might have gone wrong, when a lady passed by pushing a fish cart. He stopped her, “Excuse me, aunty. Do you know the old lady that used to sell food under the tamarind tree?”

A wake had been going on at her home, and friends, family and people from everywhere had been attending to express their sympathies. There was no comfort, though, to her deep-

THE PREDICAMENT OF YOUNG AND NOT-SO-YOUNG MEN

IT seems to be a normal thing to have plastered on the pages of newspapers ‘portraits’ of young men who have died of violent encounters, have killed their spouses, and others who are heading for prison due to some involvement in narcotics or other crimes.

Years ago, I proposed a men’s hostel for men who earn but do not have enough to pay $70,000, $80,000, or $120,000 per month in rent. In previous articles, I indicated that the loss of waterfront jobs in the late 80s and sugar in the 90s would create an employment vacuum.

The greater urgency was the deployment of technology, which further liquidated areas of public service. Reforms in construction that no longer employed labourers, those tasks are now taken -up by the skilled staff on most sites. This left only security or watchman ser-

vices and mining open to unskilled males. With some security services, there is a need for strict labour observation of practices by labour authorities. Also, many women are employed in these areas. Vending is also overwhelmed and has been dominated by women since pre- to post-emancipation. Cottage Industries and the Arts have potential, but governments have vague ideas on how to engage these areas, and there are no other options but to be guided by the citizens involved, but there is ob -

vious reluctance, except in rare cases that bore fruit, but have no set attitude precedents.

The obvious volume of men living on the streets who may not be drug addicts is disturbing. The fact is that most of the aged citizens who have committed suicide are male, and some are also young. If a man, young or old, is earning less

than $140,000 a month, he is easily tempted to use illegal methods to upgrade his functional income needs.

In a functional home with children, there is a need for a computer, a printer, an external hard drive, ink, paper, and software licence -- the basic needs for a functional education. There will also be textbooks, lessons and food.

I knew a fellow by see-

ing him and “Hi & Right, with light gaff”. I was surprised when I saw him in the newspapers; he was employed, but I’m not sure where. The building that he lived in on Princess Street Wortmanville had caught fire. He rented a room in this building that once belonged to ‘Mr Lucas’. He arrived on the spot, stared at the burning building, collapsed and died. All that was of any importance to him was in that room. If we look at the school attendance of children, young males may be less in school than their sisters. The bottom line of this column is that natural economic challenges long preceded Oil & Gas, warning us that this time nah long time, the results now envelope us. So how do we proceed, enveloped in a world of pills and drugs?

WILDFLOWERS ON AN OCTOBER...

FROM PAGE IX

“Oh yeah,” she answered without hesitation, “She gone.”

“Gone where?”

“Don’t know, she jus gone.”

“Damn,” Chris muttered under his breath and called his mother.

“There’s something I need to know.”

“What is it?”

“I am at our old home in the village.”

“Wah yuh doing there?”

“I came to see the old lady who used to give me food when I was literally starving, but she’s not here.”

His mother was silent for a while, then she said, “Ah don’t know wah happen to she.”

“Oh yes, you do,” Chris said, a stern tone in his voice.

“You did not give her the money I sent nor did you visit to see how she was doing. You lied to me!”

“Chris, please, listen---”

“How could you do something like that?”

He cut off the call and sat under the tamarind tree, a distressed feeling in his heart. The wildflowers blooming all around gave him a little good feeling, and getting up to go, he said quietly but firmly, “I will talk to the relevant authorities to get some work done to uplift the village and I’ll do my part as well.”

As he walked down the old road, he spotted a lady coming from church whom he recognised as Aunty Sheila’s neighbour, and he spoke to her.

She told him Aunty Sheila had become sick and because no relative wanted to care for her, she was taken to a home.

“Which home?”

“Ah don’t know, son.”

Chris checked all the homes in the city, but she was nowhere, and the next morning he drove to Berbice to the Dharamshala but she was not there either nor in the Corentyne.

“Where are you?” he whispered with growing desperation. He would soon have to leave for a tour of Australia and his heart’s desire was to see her and spend some time with her before he left again. He sent out messages to friends for information on elderly homes and received three addresses but no luck until he reached the third one.

A long bridge across a canal took him to a white colonial-type house in a sprawling garden.

“This seems like a nice place. I hope she’s here.”

He spoke to the supervisor who summoned the young doctor who had opened that home just a year ago.

“Do you have a Sheila Singh here? I’ve been searching for her.”

The doctor smiled and said, “I’m happy you’re here. She has been hoping to see you too.”

Chris breathed a deep sigh of relief that he had finally found her. He was taken to a section of the living room that overlooked the garden, where he saw her lying on a recliner. The distressed feeling in his heart dissipated and happiness surged through his being as he knelt down and took her hand.

“I’m sorry I took so long to return and sorry my mother did not take care of you like I asked her to.”

Happiness shone in the old lady’s eyes and she touched his hand, her arms now frail and feeble.

“Is okay, son, yuh follow yuh dream and ah suh happy fuh yuh.”

“She watched the CPL final,” the doctor told Chris, “And cheered every boundary you hit.”

“What?” Chris looked at her, surprised.

“You did great, son,” she said, touching his head and giving him her blessing.

He embraced her, tears in his eyes and stayed, talking with her until she fell asleep.

“How did she get here?” Chris asked the doctor, “And who’s paying for her stay?”

“I was at a mandir in Strasphey and a colleague’s friend told me of her story. That same friend created a fund for persons to pay for her treatment and comfort.”

“She had helped many and that God has come back to her. I will be making payment from now on for her.”

He visited her every day until it was time for him to leave on the tour, and he said to her, “When I come back, we’ll visit your old village and rebuild your house.”

She watched him go and whispered weakly, “Goodbye, son.”

Two weeks later, the doctor called Chris, “I’m sorry sir, she passed away.”

He brought her ashes to her old home, and walked with it under the tamarind tree and among the wildflowers before scattering it in the sea, for he had promised to bring her home to visit her old village.

She had helped a poor boy to follow his dreams, and his bat would always speak her name.

Messages and memories

IT is quite absurd to imagine that only a few centuries ago, the idea of connection was so minuscule and limited compared to what we experience today. Long-distance communication was either impossible or impractical, and it may have taken anywhere between several days to multiple months just to transfer a message from one person to another, especially if they did not live in close proximity. Communication, specifically in the long distance, was almost never spontaneous or continuous. While someone on two different continents may have looked at the same moon in the sky or observed the same sun as it set and rose, they would have never gotten an opportunity to share the pleasure of a conversation.

Fortunately, the passing of time has brought us gifts of remarkable change and growth. Today, we can easily connect with people in every corner of the world. We can build an entire relationship with someone whom we have never met before. We can leave digital messages that will remain accessible to people long after the end of our own existence. This means that we have a chance to learn about the world that exists beyond the boundaries of our own experiences. It also means that we have the opportunity to speak and be heard - to share a story or message without needing to prove ourselves worthy of simply being listened to. Most importantly, it means that we can influence and impact others profoundly. Every day, we come across hundreds of faces and voices. Some of these faces and voices blur and melt into irretrievable memories as life progresses. A few of them, however, remain imprinted in our minds forever. They have the power to evoke specific feelings from within us or remind us of important lessons that we have learned. Even those faces which our eyes have met for less than a minute, even those voices that have only uttered a few words to us - they all have the power to influence us and change who we are. Now, with drastic changes in technology and the rapid rate at which globalisation is occurring, we bear the crucial responsibility of reminding ourselves that we can change a person for the better or worse with just one action or word. The words that we type into a screen or speak into a microphone can build or shatter a soul.

Did you know that a few people in our world experience a rare condition called Hyperthymesia? Hyperthymesia refers to the extraordinary ability to remember details of one’s own life to an almost perfect extent. This means that those who have the condition can remember everything from small choices and moments to crucial, life-changing events. While this may initially seem like a beautiful gift, we must remember that not all memories and moments in our lives are positive. In fact, the only way we are able to survive our own mistakes and negative experiences is through our ability to gradually forget them. So, can you imagine how difficult it must be to live a life where you can recall every trauma, every mistake and every bad day in all its excruciating detail? Being human means that we collide and interact with other people on a daily basis. Although not everyone suffers from hyperthymesia, it is still true that we remember meaningful interactions and allow them to change us as we grow. As young people who were born into an era where human interactions have reached their highest level of speed and intensity when compared to the past, we are born with an important responsibility. We are born with the responsibility of influencing others positively by trying our best to create positive memories. The things that we say and do to another person can paint their entire world in a different colour. Perhaps the world would be a kinder, more beautiful place if we behaved as if everyone experiences Hyperthymesia. After all, how many of our words and actions would we still choose to put out into the world if we believed that they would be remembered by everyone for the rest of their lives? Every message we send is a memory that we create. Let us choose to create memories that form extraordinary people.

Pretty...

FROM PAGE IV

An assortment of Anselia’s popular dishes, including cassava bread (Samuel

ucation in Amerindian cuisine and culture. Anselia’s knowledge of traditional fish varieties adds value to every customer interaction. She shares information about Haimara, a fish well-known in Region Seven, and Tambaque, praised for its health benefits. “This fish is a very healthy fish. It has plenty of Omega-3. The fat inside is not bad fat; the fat is very healthy,” she explains. Guyana will undoubtedly continue to celebrate its diversity, with each cultural holiday seeing the involvement of all walks of life, reaching a place where celebrating culture means celebrating what it

means to be Guyanese.

Places like Pretty Local play a vital role in this collective effort to preserve the many peoples of the nation. Through people like Anselia, the flavours and traditions of Amerindian culture remain accessible and celebrated beyond the confines of a Heritage Month. In doing so, she ensures that this essential part of Guyanese identity remains vibrant and relevant for generations to come.

Paradise with ...

Rock View feels like home, because the people there are like family. “Our staff are not employees; our staff are family. I have a member of staff who’s been working here since Day One, 30 years. Her children, her husband, and the father of that staff were my first foremen. So you create a relationship with people that is not employer-employee. It’s family; it’s a love for each other,” said Colin.

Future vision

Edwards remains optimistic about the future of agro-tourism in Guyana. As steps continue to be taken on the governmental side, Colin continues to work with local leaders to develop agro-tourism in communities. “The sky is the limit. Agro-tourism has an endless horizon of activities to pursue in Guyana and, in particular, the Rupununi. So this is my dream: If we can help others on the way through communities and the private sector with the support of the GTA and the Ministry of Tourism, we will put Guyana foremost in agro-tourism as a niche market,” he said.

Colin is simply someone who saw the beauty of Guyana, and made the bold choice to stay and develop a place where others could come to see the beauty of the Rupununi. As he shared, “Having been brought up in a big city, to learn and understand the happiness and the simplicity of life of people who do not have wealth and material well-being, are as or if not happier than the people who are rich in a different way. This had an incredible impact on me.”

FROM PAGE VII

Maughn photo)

Rising...

PAGE III

this time,” she shared.

IMPACT ON FEMININITY

Anna ultimately underwent what most women would consider a nightmare: A bilateral breast removal. Reflecting on this part of her journey, Anna shared that in the same way cancer does not define who she is, neither does her body. She emphasised that many women hesitate about having similar surgery, because they consider partners and relationships, but Anna urges them to do what is necessary for them to keep living.

“A lot of women are scared to take off their breasts; they think it makes them less of a woman, or they worry about what their partner will think. But let me tell you something—whether you have breasts or not, if a man is going to leave, he’s going to leave. That’s my policy. It doesn’t make you less of a woman. You have to do what you have to do to live,” She said.

A CONTINUING

BATTLE

Most recently, in her rollercoaster journey since 2008, Anna was diagnosed with cancer yet again; this time vaginal. Speaking openly to the Pepperpot Magazine, she stated, “After all that, in 2018, I woke up one night, and I saw blood. I was scared, so I called my oncologist. She was in Brazil at the time, but she arranged for me to see a doctor here. They did a biopsy, and it came back positive again. I had to do 26 sessions of radiation, but the radiation damaged me badly. I’m still suffering from it. But through it all, I kept my faith, and I’m still here.”

A BEACON OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION

Anna is an inspiration to men and women going through more than just cancer; she continues to show up at events to share her story and motivate others. Her advice to women has been consistent and clear: Do not hesitate and consider their well-being above the possibilities of relationships. “I tell every woman I meet, if you feel something, don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Go get it checked right away.”

Throughout her journey, support has been Anna’s biggest weapon in her fight against cancer. She credits her survival to the unwavering backing of her loved ones, medical team, and NGOs like the Giving Hope Foundation and the Periwinkle Club.

“Support is everything. My family, my friends, my doctors—they all stood by me.

I know many people who didn’t have support, and they didn’t make it. My advice to women is this: Have faith, be strong in God, and surround yourself with people who will stand by you through everything,” she shared.

As Pinktober continues to raise awareness about breast cancer, Anna DeMorias stands as a testament to the power of early detection, resilience, and the importance of a strong support system. Her story reminds us that while cancer may affect our bodies, it need not define our spirit or determination to survive. Through her courage and openness, she continues to light the way for others facing similar battles, proving that even in the darkest times, hope and strength can prevail.

REVISITING THE TOPIC OF MANGROVES

ing, they began to move their settlements to the river banks towards the end of the 18th century. In 1815, when Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice finally ceded to Britain, they were

The British developed their colony much faster than the Dutch. Like the Dutch, they empoldered their agricultural land and built sea defences, but it was only in the 20th century, with the growth of Ecological Studies and a deeper understanding of the environment, that the full importance of

The United Nations recognised the importance of mangroves by declaring a Mangrove Day each year with a relevant motto. In this year 2024, the motto is “Mangroves matter. Safeguarding our Coastal Guardians for tomorrow”.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EXTENDS ACTIVITIES TO OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Though this motto identifies the most important function of mangroves, that is to guard against the flooding by the sea and tidal waves and make the soil less fertile when it would have been impregnated with salt; other positives emanate from mangroves.

Mangroves provide a home for bees as well as feeding grounds since a large number of flowering plants grow among the mangroves. When hives are established in the vicinity, they provide bountiful honey supplies. Consumers much value mangrove honey.

CONSUMERS have often been alarmed by persons in the media predicting disasters that will befall Guyana and Guyanese people if there is an oil spill and by the claim that no environmental regulations are being imposed on the industry, resulting in damage to the environment. These ‘defenders of the Environment’ claim that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is merely engaged in routine work.

Mangroves are a carbon sink and enhance Guyana’s efforts against climate change. They provide a livelihood for many coastal communities, one food resource being the varieties of fish that live among the mangroves. They are an ecotourism attraction with the rich biodiversity that mangrove forests offer, and the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture are cooperating in this development. Mangrove restoration and preservation support several sustainable development goals (SDGs), to the degree that Guyana is seriously committed to achieving them.

The environment consists of the air, land and water of the planet. In more detailed terms, this will be the atmosphere which envelopes the planet and consists of layers of various life-sustaining gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and, most importantly, the Ozone Layer, which absorbs the sun’s ultraviolet rays which would be fatal to all human and animal life if exposed to it. Next, there is the hydrosphere, which is the total water on the planet, which consists of the oceans, polar ice caps, rivers, lakes, groundwater and clouds. The oceans form 97% of the planet’s water, with only 3% fresh water and 1% polluted, leaving only 2% for human and animal use. This fact underscores the importance of using fresh water economically. Then there is the Lithosphere, which consists of the earth, including mountains, plains, and minerals. On the planet is the biosphere, which consists of all living things, such as plants and animals, as well as human life, including corals. All Life uses all three spheres.

At the recent function of unveiling the plaque at the Kingston Seawall Esplanade in commemoration of International Mangrove Day 2024, the Minister of Agriculture summarised the importance and impact of Mangroves: “Mangroves are our coastal guardians, vital to Guyana’s environmental and economic health”, he said, “they act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and surges, protecting our communities and infrastructure. With over 23,000 hectares of Mangroves, they support fisheries, livelihoods, and food security and provide habitats for diverse wildlife… Mangroves are important in sequestering carbon, enhancing efforts against climate change as outlined in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030”.

The State has developed a 10-year National Mangrove Action Plan and an Inter-Agency Committee dedicated to promoting sustainable Mangrove management, and over 500 hectares of mangrove have been restored. Since 2010, over $1.9 billion has been invested in mangrove preservation and restoration, and regular injections of money are expected to be made as required. For example, $275 million has been allocated this year to rehabilitation initiatives in Regions Two and Five.

These spheres interact with each other, and humans and other life entities interact with them. Environmental Studies and Ecology try to regulate human activity from harming these spheres, which could result in permanent harm affecting future generations. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been regulating the construction of main roads, the Berbice and Demerara River Bridges, and the construction of sizable buildings like various international hotels. In rare cases, the EPA may have to balance the requirements of Development with those of Ecology. One of the main activities of the EPA is the struggle against climate change, where it has to limit or eliminate the effusion of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This activity is multi-dimensional and involves the protection of forests, the elimination of fossil fuels, and the exploration of the production and use of clean fuels such as hydropower. It is, therefore, quite clear that the EPA’s work in the non-oil sector is substantial.

The EPA’s work in the oil sector is far less known, but it is important. We first mention the oil Cats, which could seal wells in the event of a spill. Most producers rent such equipment when it is needed; Guyana has decided to invest several million US dollars in acquiring Cats to ensure that in the event of an oil spill, immediate action could be taken. The EPA, in licensing the producer, necessitates the presence of a Capping Stack - a subsea mechanical barrier designed to effectively shut in and redirect uncontrolled flow. Further, for the Stabroek Block operator ExxonMobil and its partners have made a $2 billion oil spill guarantee.

Oil leaks could be detected by the use of independent satellite monitoring, which would immediately detect any sheen in the ocean. On the floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels, discharges that may be of environmental concern are monitored by the monitoring, recording, and verification system (MRVS). This

‘Nothing is too difficult ...

FROM PAGE XVIII of the region’s thriving tourism landscape, though she says she needs more skills first. “At the moment, I am doing a bachelor’s degree in leadership, education, and business. That is where I am presently in terms of my qualifications and my career life. However, regarding the Board of Industrial Training, I would like to further upgrade myself to do more like enter tourism, so that I can be able to uplift my community. I already have the main foundation in commercial food preparation, but not for tourism.”

Since her school years, Marlyn’s village of Kwatamang has changed, particularly in terms of education. With the addition of internet access, her community, like many others, is seeing more scholars emerge with improved connectivity. “Life has changed growing up here in my village. Growing up here, it was fun doing outdoor playing. Learning was difficult then in my days because we did not have phones and we never had internet service. You had to go to the library. You had no phones to google anything, but now everything is just online, and you can get your answer there and have everything at hand.”

Marlyn’s days are packed as a full-time teacher, mother, and student. She credits much of her success to her husband. Despite the challenges she faces juggling multiple tasks in her daily life, Marlyn says her children remain her biggest priority. “I have five children. Two of them are still at secondary, but the three other ones are small. My big son is 19. He’s a graduate of the President’s College. He’s a teacher now, and I have one who is in grade 10 at the moment. She is a scholarship student; she is about to write her CXC next year.” All across Guyana, strides are being made in work, infrastructure, and, perhaps most impactfully, education. Women like Marlyn are among a growing demographic aiming to develop themselves as well as their communities.

As a community leader and member of her village’s women’s group, Marlyn encourages other women to chase their passions and believe that their goals are attainable. “For my women in the community, I think that nothing is too difficult to achieve. You have to put your mind to it. You have to set aside time, especially if you want to elevate yourself. I prioritize to see what I can do best to help others. I’m not only depending on myself or want to have things for myself, but I see it as a community benefit. Others must benefit from what I do.”

The development and support of education in all corners of Guyana, for both men and women, is the first step in pioneering a better future for the country.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY...

FROM PAGE XVI

system has the added spinoff of monitoring the quantity of oil being extracted by ExxonMobil.

Flaring is one of the environmental hazards of oil production. Flaring is the controlled burning of natural gas, which prevents buildups that could lead to explosions. Flaring is a safety measure, but it is not an ideal solution. The producers are permitted an amount of flaring, which is considered environmentally acceptable, but beyond this, they have to pay a fine of US$50 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent for flaring on their FPSOs.

Although the existing systems effectively monitor off-shore activities, e.g. on the FPSOs, there is room for strengthening capabilities. Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the country’s frontman in relating to the oil industry, recently remarked, “We need to continue building capacity at the EPA and in Government itself, independent capacity, and with government itself to do greater monitoring”.

Accordingly, there is fairly adequate environmental protection vis-a-vis the oil industry, but the EPA is working towards perfection. The consumer community and the general public, therefore, need not be alarmed.

The importance of early detection in breast cancer

Financial abuse needs more awareness

THIS is your annual reminder that breast cancer screening and awareness are necessary, especially for women over 40. It’s officially “Pinktober”, and the theme this year is, “No one should face breast cancer alone”. It emphasises the point that it takes a community effort to help make a difference in the lives of survivors and patients. In October, we reflect on and discuss the concerns and worldwide impact of this cancer. Breast cancer is quite a common form of cancer affecting women worldwide. In every forum and discussion, you’ll hear that early detection is an essential step towards decreasing the likelihood of late-stage cancer. 1 in 8 women are likely to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. This health crisis occurs when cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably.

The World Health Organisation estimates that there are approximately 2.5 million persons diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Further, breast cancer is the cause of 670,000 deaths globally in 2022 alone. While mortality rates have slightly improved, the lack of awareness and early detection is still a sore issue for women below the poverty line. Early detection is an important factor in helping to reduce the mortality rate further. These detections can be done through self-examinations, clinical or medical breast examinations, and mammograms. If you have a family history of breast cancer, it’s advisable to do frequent tests. We should also make necessary adjustments and advances to the public health systems in Guyana as technology advances as well. This is to ensure that Guyanese have access to updated and reliable medical care at all times.

WHEN you are defining the term “abuse”, do you ever consider financial abuse in those definitions? Often, when I listen to people discuss abuse, I rarely ever hear them mention the category of financial abuse. That can be for a lot of different reasons. Perhaps people are unfamiliar that a person can be financially abused, or they simply do not accept this as a type of abuse. Whatever the reason may be, there are many studies and statistics to prove that people all across the world are being financially abused. For me, the first thing that comes to mind is when the elderly have their money or assets taken away from them without their consent. As with most cases of abuse, financial abuse also entails a struggle or imbalance of power.

Financial abuse can be overt or very unnoticeable. It is a form of family violence. Universally, I do not think enough people speak about the damaging effects financial abuse has on the victims. This is quite a powerful method that is used to “trap” victims by making them stay in an abusive relationship. Studies have shown that in 99% of the domestic violence cases that occur, financial abuse is also present. Contrary to the belief that only impoverished people can be victims of financial abuse, this form of abuse does not only affect a specific target population. In most cases, financial abuse occurs in romantic relationships where an abusive partner restricts and limits their partner’s access or ability to spend money. The “allowances” will be fewer and fewer as months go by, and the victim is often forbidden from being employed.

Advocates and health professionals need to educate the public on the importance of early detection and prevention. Many women are fearful of tests because of misconceptions such as pain during the examinations. Many women are also concerned about discrimination and sexual harassment during examinations as well. These are all barriers, and should be addressed at all levels in communities. I am also using this platform to advocate for more screening sites in rural areas, especially in the Indigenous communities. These tests are a right to health, and no one should be denied the opportunity to be examined simply because they cannot afford to do so or because of where they live.

The early stages of breast cancer can be asymptomatic (without common symptoms). As such, you cannot wait until you’re seeing physical symptoms as well. Some physical symptoms of breast cancer include areas of discolouration on the breast, warmth or burning breast, enlargement in one breast, inverted or retracted nipples, swollen lymph nodes in the underarm, and dimpling or pitting of the breast. Awareness of breast cancer should transcend cultural barriers because the examination itself might be considered inappropriate for some cultures.

This health crisis needs attention and awareness every month and every day of every month—not just in October. This month goes beyond wearing a pink ribbon. It is about remembering the lives lost, honoring the survivors, and making sure we save as many lives as we possibly can. I urge you all to continue to advocate, support research, and ensure all women have access to equal healthcare rights and opportunities. I hope we can use this time to normalise the conversation surrounding breast, breast health, and breast cancer. It should not be sexualised or seen as a taboo topic. According to the Cancer Institute of Guyana, a mammography appointment can be scheduled by calling 592-225-5701. I hope you get tested soon after reading.

The abuser may use manipulation, fear tactics or even physical abuse to force these ideologies onto the victim if they do not comply. Some cases are often so extreme that even access to purchase food or visit a doctor is affected. Most times, victims are unable to leave these abusive relationships because of their lack of finances, assets or even education on financial independence and literacy. Most times, when victims leave their homes they’re either forced into a shelter or they return to their abusive partner where homelessness is not a concern. This is a key issue that needs further attention on all levels. Money gives one a sense of security and stability. Abusers use it as a tactic to control victims. If victims don’t abide by or obey them, they lose that sense of security or stability by receiving limited or no money.

This creates an unhealthy dependency. Financial abuse may also come in the form of leaving people in debt unknowingly, stealing the victim’s property, false insurance claims, evading child support or refusing to pay bills. It is not black and white. There are many ways that people can become victims of financial abuse. As such, I am pleading with you all to consider spreading awareness of what financial abuse is and let victims realise that they are indeed victims. Money is used as a powerful tool of control and oppression, and I hope that financial abuse in all of its forms is addressed effectively and efficiently at all levels.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564- 1616) Portia’s speech in Act 4, Scene 1 of “The Merchant of Venice”

STUDY SUCCESS

Dear Student, Welcome dear reading friend. To show that you understand the main information contained in any given text you can be

OCTOBER 06, 2024

asked to fill in a table. Just involve your skills of ‘selective extraction’ and note-taking. Selective extraction leads you to first read the text through to get a general idea and then look for specific points in different places. It also leads you into note-taking to note down the main points only and leave out unimportant details. Be wise.

Love you.

THE PASSSAGE

A.. Reading for comprehension

Reminder: Reading comprehension is the ability to read text, process it and understand its meaning. It relies on two, interconnected abilities: word reading (being able to decode the symbols on the page) and language comprehension (being able to understand the meaning of the words and sentences). You will find that summarising is a reading comprehension exercise.

When you read for comprehension, you prepare yourself to understand what you have read. Many questions and exercises can emanate from reading for comprehension. Look at some of what you can be called upon to do:

Read aloud. ...

Find the main idea. ...

Find supporting details. ...

Recognise story structure and key points. ...

Use graphic organisers. ... Answer questions. ...

Generate questions. ...

Summarise what you have read.

Practise using new vocabulary

Build background knowledge

Let us look at the following text, and then answer the questions following.

The term “fast food” generally refers to packaged convenience food that can be prepared very quickly because it is precooked/ preheated for restaurants and takeaway stores primarily located in urban areas. Fast foods commonly contain highly refined, processed, and artificial ingredients that are high in fats, sugars, and salt, which make them unhealthy and deadly when excessively consumed. It’s official: the most harmful and life-threatening diets originate from Western nations.

The USA has the largest fast food industry in the world, that employs approximately 2 million workers, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The US also spends more on fast foods/convenience meals than any other country in spite of the obesity epidemic. The Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, states that “more than one-third of US adults are obese. Approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are

obese.” According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, unhealthy eating and inactivity cause nearly half a million deaths every year. Tobacco and alcohol follow. Yet most highly processed fast or snack foods, loaded with deadly ingredients, do not carry a serious health warning as tobacco products are required to do by law …

(Adopted from Nex Generation, Issue No. 7, AprilJune 2012, p. 60.)

Questions:

(a) State two reasons why some foods are described as “fast foods”.

(b) What is the writer’s intention in using the expression “It’s official” (third sentence, paragraph 1)?

(c) What is the writer’s attitude to the effects of fast food consumption as expressed in the second sentence to the last sentence in paragraph 2?

(d) (i) What does the writer suggest should be done about fast foods?

(ii) Write the sentence which suggests the action stated in (i) above.

(e) Explain what is meant by the phrase “obesity epidemic” (sentence 2 paragraph 2) as used in the extract.

(f) State why the writer gives information from such agencies as

(i) the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, and (ii) the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention. (g) What should you know about the US Department of Health and Human Services?

GRAMMAR

Sentence structure

Note: You must be sure that all parts of your sentence structure are in order, knowing where its subject, predicate, objects, phrases, punctuation, etc. must fall in place. No words must be misused. No sentence should have incorrect grammar or be faulty in diction. None should offend with too many useless words that clutter writing. (Wordiness takes away from clarity of information.) Good writing is simple and direct; it uses the simplest word possible that conveys the same meaning as a bigger word or a large group of words.

Instructions: Some of the following sentences are unacceptable because they contain errors; no sentence contains more than one error. Some of the sentences are acceptable as they stand. Circle one of the four options that best describes each sentence, as follows:

(A) The sentence is wordy, is repetitive or contains redundancies.

(B) The sentence contains a cliché or misused metaphor.

(C) The sentence is incorrect grammatically or faulty in diction.

(D) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.

(1) There are many who have not considered the need to abstain from using filthy language, but only such speech as is good for building up others, is truly the only option for one who wishes to engage in healthy lifestyle practices.

(2) He wanted to beg for his old job, but that ship has sailed, and he had to simply play the hand that was dealt him.

(3) Rising from the throne, the crowd cheered their noble monarch as he walked solemnly forward to greet the foreign dignitaries.

(4) The noon shone brightly in the clear night sky, its cool light a blessing after the searing heat of the day.

(5) When the clerk raised his voice in protest, his boss asked him to hold his tongue since empty vessels made the most noise and are often thrown in the den to be eaten by the lions.

Diagnosing substance abuse

MANY persons are unaware that an astute dentist can recognise the signs of a drug addict during a routine dental examination. There are more drug addicts in the society than we can imagine. In fact, almost daily, we read in the newspaper about someone being accused or convicted of either trafficking or using cocaine or marijuana. While drug-abusing patients may be difficult to identify, an alert dentist can contribute significantly towards mitigating the problem. The following are general physical or behavioural signs that should alert dentists to suspect that they are dealing with a person with an addiction.

1. Inability to spit normally.

2. Changes in normal work habits, attendance or efficiency.

3. Deteriorated physical appearance and personal hygiene.

4. Efforts to cover up arms and wrists to hide needle marks (use of intravenous drugs results in discoloured skin).

5. Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times; addicts may be hiding constricted or dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes.

6. The presence of poorly defined and low-grade fever. The narcotic addict, in particular, may approach the dentist posing as a legitimate patient in order to obtain opioid substances. The abuser may attempt to obtain paregoric, from which he can extract opium, by claiming to have a child who is restless and in pain because of cutting teeth.

A person with an addiction may fake pulpitis (toothache) or present with an oral abscess, requesting narcotics for temporary relief of pain. He will usually claim an allergy to weaker agents such as codeine or propoxyphene and helpfully suggest that Meperidine or Percodan has worked well in the past. Narcotic abusers also seek morphine and hydromorphone.

A dentist who accommodates a drug abuser by writing prescriptions for large amounts of drugs runs a real risk. Having once committed such a criminal act, the practitioner may be blackmailed under the threat of exposure, mutilation or death into becoming a perpetual drug supplier for the abuser, his friends or the underworld syndicate.

Drugs of abuse are divided into three groups: central nervous system depressants such as morphine, alcohol, diazepam and nitrous dioxide; CNS stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine; and hallucinogens such as marijuana and LSD.

It may surprise many to learn that of the nine basic substances classified as drugs of abuse, morphine is by far the worst, while marijuana is relatively harmless from a chemical standpoint. In fact, marijuana does not present tolerance nor psychological dependence and only mild physical dependence. On the other hand, morphine exhibits psychological dependence as well as tolerance.

Abuse of cocaine ranks second only to marijuana. These drugs wreak havoc with the social fabric of society. The dentist’s role as an informed, concerned and empathic counsellor in matters of drug abuse, apart from the other relevant professionals, must be assumed as a personal imperative and not viewed as an intellectual abstraction. Whenever we are made aware of the drug-related devastation or death of a friend, we discern the immediacy of an ethical responsibility of social dimensions.