Growingup,MarkMurray experiencedhardship,especiallyduringChristmas, whenheoftenhadnotoys andverylittletocelebrate. Ashegrewolder,hebecamedeterminedtochange thatfortoday’schildren.
Threeyearsago,Murray foundedtheOnAirMedia andFriendsAnnualChristmasToyandBookDrive, bringingsmilestochildren’s faces.Thesupporthereceivedwasoverwhelming.
Murray,anativeofLinden,Region10(UpperDemerara-Berbice),toldPepperpotMagazinethatthe drivebeganaspartofhiscorporatesocialresponsibilityin 2021whenheregisteredhis smallbusiness,OnAirMedia Consultancy.
Heexplainedthat,followingthepandemic,he wantedtodosomethingfor childreninunderprivileged communities.Initiallypreparedtofundtheinitiative himself,hepitchedtheidea tofriendsandcolleagues, whoembraceditwholeheartedly.
cess,andeveryyearsince, Murrayandhisteamhave expandedtheinitiative.Initiallycateringto400children,thedemandhasgrown
Murrayaddedthat friends,bothlocalandover-
seas,havecontributedtheir time,resources,andfunds toensurethesuccessofthe drive.Companiessuchas DigicelGuyana,AnsaMcAl, andtheOfficeoftheFirst Ladyhavealsosupportedthe
initiativewithtoydonations. Theteamtravelstovariousregions,includingRegionsFour,Six,Three,and 10,topersonallydistribute toys.Eachchildgetstoselect atoy,alongwithagoodie
bag,books,andfooditems.
Murrayrecalledmoments ofheartbreakuponwitnessingthelivingconditionsof somechildren.Theseexperiencesonlystrengthenedtheir resolvetocontinueraising fundsandcollectingdonationstomakethetoydrivea realityeachyear.
ofdistributing500 toysthisyear.
Inthepastthreeyears, Murrayandhisteamhave distributed15,000toys acrossthecountry. AlthoughMurrayisnot inGuyanathisyear,his friendshaveensuredthatthe 2024ToyandBookDrive willtakeplace.Sofar,donationshavebeentrickling in,butheremainsoptimistic aboutreachingtheirgoal
“Forme,this timeofyearisaboutgiving back,”Murraysaid.“Growingupwithsolittlegaveme thedrivetoworkhardand achievemydreams.Now thatI’minapositiontohelp others,whynot?”
faces.Iwanttospreadjoy thisChristmasandevery Christmas,”hesaid. Despitechallenges,Murrayremainsdedicatedto makingadifference.Last year,theToyandBookDrive evenincludedapartyfor
Murrayaddedthatgiving backhasalwaysbeenpart ofhislife.Thoughhesometimesfaceschallengesand iseventakenadvantageof, heremainsundeterredinhis missiontospreadjoy.
“Childrenareimpressionableandinnocent. They’rebornintosituations theycan’tcontrol,andI wanttobringsmilestotheir
childrenlivingwithHIV/ AIDS,spreadingjoytothose inneed.
TheOnAirMediaand FriendsAnnualChristmas ToyandBookDriveaimsto bringthemagicofChristmastochildren.Donations ofgentlyusedornewtoys andbooksarewelcome untilDecember15,2024.
Afamilyafterreceivingtoys
MarkMurray
TheGiftofGiving
HowTheYoungPioneersareworkingtobring Christmasjoytovulnerablefamilies
ASChristmasapproaches, thefestivelightsandjoyous celebrationshighlightthe warmthoftheseason.Yet, formanyfamiliesacross Guyana,theholidaysare markedbyhardshiprather thancelebration.Inthese moments,theYoungPioneersstepin,delivering thespiritofChristmasto underservedcommunities neededmost.
Guyanaishometoa
communitiesformorethan
hasdedicatedoveradecade
shopstohumanitarianaid andwomen’sempowerment isthatmostofitsprojectsare
Thewomanbehindthe YoungPioneersismother andbroadcasterShivanie Rampersaud.Speakingto thePepperpotMagazine, shesharedthat,forher, theworkoftheYoungPioneersisdeeplypersonal. TheseedsoftheNGOwere plantedbyhergrandparents,who,manyyearsago, supportedlocalfamiliesin need.“Mygrandparents hadaverysimilarthing organisation,buttheyused toassistfamilieswhenever theycould,”sheshared. Inspiredbythatlegacy,the groupstartedwithcom-
ThreeandFourbeforeexpandingtootherpartsof Guyana.humanitarianprojects,and
communitiestoassessthe specificneedsofanarea
issuesthatareuniquetothat
ThisDecember,the YoungPioneersarebusier thanever,preparingfor theirannualChristmas activities.AsShivanietold thePepperpotMagazine, theorganisationhasits eyessetontwoofRegion
nities.“For2024,wehave quitealothappening.We usuallydoannualparties forchildrenintwoareas: WindsorForest,whichhas beenrunningfor11years, andStewartville,whichis initssixthyear.”
apresentorhave
Theorganisationacceptstoydonations,both newandused,aswellas itemslikeclothingtodistributeduringtheirevents. beyondthefestivities,offeringlong-termsupport beenabletoassistfamilies duringvisitswithmedical cases,schoolfunding,and evensupplieslikewalkers andwheelchairs,”Shivanie noted.
thatmaybeunderprivi-
thistime,wemeetpeople,findoutabouttheir needs,andgobacklater toaddressthem.Christmasisaboutgiving,but andlearningabouttheir needs,”Shivaniesaid.isedandexecutedanumber
TheChristmasseason servesasafocalpointfor theYoungPioneers,but there.Shivanieemphasisedthattheholidayinitiativesarealsoanopportunitytoconnectwiththe communitiestheyserve. “Whenwegooutduring
Publicsupportforthecantly,andastheYoungPioneerscontinuewiththeir plansthroughouttherest ofthemonth,theirimpact remainsprofound.Atits core,theYoungPioneers embodythetruespiritof Christmas—compassion, generosity,andhope.As Shivanieandherteam worktobringjoytoGuytheyremindusthatthe materialwealthbutinthe actofgiving.
FounderofTheYoungPioneers,ShivanieRampersaudandherdaugther whoisalsopartofyoungpioneer.
ByMichelOutridge
-Celebratedpanniststillentertaininginhisgoldenyears
TERRENCEBenjaminhas beenimmersedinmusic sincehisboyhooddays.He hadadeepyearningtobecomeanicon;anamepeoplewouldremember.And, ashematured,heworked tirelesslytowardsachieving thatgoal.
Today,the75-year-oldis agiftedmusicianandasolo steelpannist,performingat socialeventsandotherfunctionswherehismelodious musicsoothesthesoul,and providestherapeuticcomfort.
Knownas“SirBenjamin”,heiswell-regarded amonghispeers,andcherishedbythestudentshe taughtasacertifiedmusicondaryschools.Hisunconventionalstyleofteaching musichasmadehimafavouriteamongteenagersand youths,cateringtoalltypes oflearners.
ThemusiciantoldPepperpotMagazinethathis journeywiththesteelpanbeganin1968inAlbouystown, Georgetown,withtheFascinatorsSteelBand,which
comprised15members.
Herecountedthatthe groupwasoftenhiredtoperform,andatthetime,steelpanmusicwashighlysought after.Helovedeveryaspect ofbeingapannist.
Withmorethan56years asapannist,Benjaminsaysit feelslikeitwasjustyesterday thathebegan.
Asasolopannist,heoperateshisownsmallbusiness,SoundofMusic(SOM) Entertainment,whichheestablishedin2014.Hissetup includesalaptoploadedwith karaoketracks,whichheuses
toplaythedoubletenorsteel pan,andalsorecordmusicat intervals.
TheideaforSOMEntertainmentcametohim whilewatchingtelevision. Hesawasimilarconcept andthought,“Whynot?” Hesoongatheredtheequipmentheneededtostarthis one-personband,andfrom thenon,therewasnostoppinghim.
Benjamin,aresidentof Eccles,EastBankDemerara, sharedthathislaptopholds awidevarietyofmusic, thoughhehasbeenunableto sourceIndiantrackslocally
Benjamincanbothwriteand playmusic.Hetaughtmusic atBishop’sHighSchoolfor 15years,andwasamember oftheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF)SteelBandfor10 years.Music,hesays,ishis life,andeverythingrevolves aroundit.
Althoughretiredfrom formalteaching,Benjamin continuesself-teaching duringhispracticesessions athome.
Reflectingonhisboyhooddreamofbecominga solopannist,heexpressed
immensehappinessatitsrealisation.“Asapannist,one canonlygetbetter;there’sno suchthingasworse,”hesaid. Heenjoysbeingindemandatsocialevents,and takesgreatprideinsetting thetoneforspecialoccasions.“Playingmusicfor peopletoenjoy,tolightenthemood,andsetthe tonefortheoccasionis whatIlookforwardto,” BenjamintoldPepperpot Magazine.
Hisnextperformance willbeata50thBirthday celebration,whereheanticipatesrequestsforsoft, soothingmusic.
THECULTURAL LEGACYOFSTEELPAN
Steelpanmusic,which originatedinTrinidadand Tobagointhelate1930s,is playedonthesteelpan,a percussioninstrumentinitiallycraftedfromhouseholditemslikebuckets andoldoildrums.By1945, steelpanwasdeveloped. Thisversatileinstrument iscentraltogenresofmusic suchasCalypsoandSoca, butalsofeaturesinClassicalandPopmusiccovers. Celebratedthroughannual competitionslikePanoramasincethe1960s,thesteel pananditsplayers,known aspannists,gainedfurther recognitionwhentheUnitedNationsdeclaredAugust 11asWorldSteelpanDay in2023,andTrinidadand ittheirnationalinstrument in2024.(Source:Wikipedia)
TerrenceBenjamindoingwhathelovesbest, playingsteelpan
WoodenWords
LookingatwhatChristmasmeansforfamiliesandbusinesses
ByShaniyaHarding.
EveryGuyaneseisfamiliar withthehustleandbustleof MainStreet.Thisyear,the celebrationshavestarteda bitearlier,withbusinesses alreadysetandprepared fortheseason.Amongthe manyeye-catchingand uniquebusinesses,thearts alwaysseemtobeabestsellerinthefestiveseason.
WoodenWordsbyStephen McKenzieisoneofMain Street’soldestcraftbusinesses.Themanbehindthe venturesaysthatalthough Christmasmeansalotto himasabusinessman,it meansmoreasafamily man.
For15years,Stephenhas beencarvingwords,symbols, andideasintowood,giving themformandmeaning.His craftgoesbeyondart—it’sa calling,onethatsustainsboth hisfamilyandhispassion. “Artismypassion;Itotally lovewhatIdo,”hetoldthe PepperpotMagazinewhile talkingatMainStreet’snew ChristmasVillage.
Stephen,afull-timeartist, beganhisjourneyattheBurrowesSchoolofArt,where hestudiedartbeforeadvancinghiseducationattheUniversityofGuyana.Although hetaughtartatinstitutions liketheBurrowesSchooland theSchooloftheNations,he eventuallydecidedtoforge hisownpath.Startinghis ownbusinesswasaleapof faith,butitwasonehehas notregretted.“This,myart andcarvings,paysthebills andfeedsmyfamily,”Stephenexplained.“Someartists inGuyanaendupteachingor leavingtheprofessionaltogether.Butforme,thisismy breadandbutter,”heshared.
WoodenWordsstarted asalabouroflovewhenhe beganmakingsmallcarvingsoutofwood.Today, growing,withmoreunique, specialised,andcaptivating piecesinavarietyofdesigns andlanguages.Speaking aboutthegrowthofthebusiness,Stephenshared,“Soon, wemighthavetochangeitto WoodenWordsPlusbecause mywifedoescrocheting.” Hercrochetcreations,such asbeautifulhats,complement hiswoodworkingbusiness, authenticandhandcrafted charm.
Operatingfromtheir homeinSophia,Stephenand
hiswifeselltheircreations atGeorgetown’sMainStreet AvenuefromTuesdaystocludecuttingboards,posters, anduniquewordsorsigns tailoredforvariousthemes andoccasions.Eachpieceis custom-designedtoreflect aclient’spersonalstyle,religiousbeliefs,orvalues.
getareceipt,andreturnfor collection.”Pricesvarybased onthesizeandtypeofword, ensuringthateachorderis asuniqueasthepersonwho commissionsit.
Stephen’scommitment tohiscraftisunwavering. Whenaskedaboutwhatithas beenlikebeingafull-time artistinGuyana,heshared
AstheChristmasseason approaches,WoodenWords, likesomanyothersmall businesses,entersitsbusiest timeoftheyear.“Christmas isourbusiesttimebecause manypeopleliketodecoratetheirhomesorbuy gifts,”Stephenshared.A familymanatheart,Stephen notedthattheholidaysare
madegiftsthatcarrydeeper
careerinGuyana,Stephen
“Icreatethingsforeverybackgroundstonon-religious themes,”Stephenexplained. “IdoworkforChristians, Muslims,Hindus,Rastafarians,Hebrews,andJews.I believeineverybody—we’re allonehumanrace.”
Someofhismostpopularcreationsincludethe word“Namaste,”aHindigreeting;“Bismillah,” cherishedinIslamicfaith; and“Shalom,”aHebrew wordforpeace.Other notabledesignsarethe Egyptianankh,thephrase “AmazingGrace,”andthe ever-relevantmessageof “OneLove.”According toStephen,customersare drawntoWoodenWords notjustfortheartbut forthemeaningheinstils ineverycreation.Words like“relentless”makefor thoughtfulgifts,celebrating thequalitiespeopleadmire inoneanother.
Theprocessofcreating eachpieceismeticulous andrequiresextraordinary patience.AsStephenshared, “Thetimetocompletea piecedependsonitscomplexity.Forexample,aword likeShalomtakesabouta weekfromthedayoforder. Customerspayinadvance,
thatconsistencyiskeyin thefieldofart:“Youhave tostayinit—youcan’tjust showuponedayandexpect success,”heemphasised.His dedicationhasearnedhima loyalcustomerbase,manyof whomreturnyearafteryear forhiswork,eachtimewith newandinterestingideasand themes.
importanttotheMcKenzie household.“Mywifeloves Christmas;she’sveryfestive andenjoysdecoratingand preparingfood,”hesaid.
ThistimeofyearisspecialforStephen,notjustasa businessmanbutasafamily man.Heseestheholidays asanopportunitytoconnect withothers,offeringhand-
meaning.Hehopesthatmore peoplewilldiscoverand supportlocalartisanslike himself.“Iencourageeveryonetocomeandsupportlocal craftvendorsatMainStreet’s ChristmasVillage,”heurged. Despitethechallenges ofsustainingacreative
remainsoptimisticandinbeliefthatarthasthepowertounitepeopleacross culturesandbackgrounds. Inacountryasdiverseas Guyanaandatatimeas festiveasChristmas,unity isasessentialasever.
StephenMckenzieworkingoneofhismanycustompieces(SamuelMaughnPhoto)
StephenisafamiliarfacealongMainStreet(SamuelMaughnPhoto)
GuyaneseEntrepreneurbringsthrivingbusinessbackhome
ByMichelOutridge
LlewellynCollymore,betterknownasLou,isaGuyaneseentrepreneurwhohas successfullyestablisheda shippingcompanyinthe UnitedStatesofAmerica
Guyana.
Asarealestateagent, Collymore,originallyfrom Vryheid’sLust,EastCoast Demerara,gotthebreakof hislifewhenhemigratedto theUSwiththehelpofhis mother,acitizen.
Growingup,Collymore livedacomfortablebutmodestlifeandyearnedforthe opportunitytostarthisown smallbusiness.
Hisdreamcametrue whenhebecameanentrepreneurtwoyearsago.After leavinghislandofbirth,he workedtirelesslytobecome independent.
Collymorerelocatedto theUSin2011andworked asarealestateagent.However,thiswasnothistruecalling,ashehadalwaysaspired tostartashippingcompany.
Withtheriseofonline shopping,Collymorerecognisedthefrustrationsmany peoplefacewithshipping companiesthatchargeexorbitantfeesforinternational shipping.Theseexperiences motivatedhimtocreateabetteroptionforhiscustomers.
Thus,RoyalCaribbeanLogisticswasborn—a shippingcompanythatis
fast,reliable,andaffordable.Itcatersto Caribbeanshipping, onlineshoppingwith mailboxservices,
services,andcargo consolidation.
Thecompanyoffersexpressdelivery andisheadquartered at11205103rdAvenue,SouthRichmond Hill,NewYork,with 37CroalandCamp Streets,Georgetown, Guyana.
Collymoretold thePepperpotMagazinethatheplansto launchastorefront shippingofficein Decembertoexpand hisbusiness.Hehas alreadysecureda buildingforthispurpose.
“Thisprojecthas beenintheworksfor sometime,andexecutingitispartofmy visiontoexpandthe businessandhavea visiblepresenceina primeUSlocation,” hesaid.
Collymoreexplainedthathewantedtodoeverything thecorrectandlegal way,soheregistered hisbusinesswhile jugglinghisfull-time jobasarealestate agent.
Headdedthat,with onlyonesourceofincome,itwasnoteasyto savefundstoestablisha secondbusiness.However,throughhardwork anddedication—often workinglonghours—he madeithappen.
“Sinceestablishing RoyalCaribbeanLogistics,Ihavebeenblessed withsupportfromboth GuyanaandtheUS. Loyalrepeatcustomers havemadethebusiness financiallyviableand keptitsdoorsopen,” Collymoresaid.
Headdedthatbeingself-employedisthe bestthingthathasever happenedtohim.Ithas allowedhimtomanage hissmallbusinesswhilecialresponsibilities.
Collymorenotedthat managingasmallbusinessasasoleproprietor isnoteasy,butithas helpedhimgrowasa personandtaughthim valuablelessons.
Despitechallenges beyondhiscontrol,such asairlinedelays,bad weather,andotherunforeseenevents,CollymoretoldthePepperpot Magazinethathehas learnedtoacceptwhat hecannotchangeand moveforward.
“Myshippingcom-
andreliableservice.Even thoughIcannotpredictcertainchallengesrelatedto shipping,I’velearnedto workwiththedisadvantages,”hesaid.
“Ialwaysenvisioned buildingasuccessfulbusinessinshipping,andmy goalistogrowthecompany tobeevenbiggerthansome I’mworkingtowardthat goal.”
Collymoreremainsfocusedonhisdreamand drawsconstantmotivation andinspirationfromthemoralsupportofhisfamily.
Healsoprovidesshipping servicestoGuyana,theCaribbean,andwithintheUS, offeringexpressshipping optionsforfastdeliveryat pocket-friendlyprices.
Collymoresaidheis proudofhisGuyaneseroots, traditions,andupbringing, whichhaveshapedhiminto awell-grounded,ambitious individual.Takingchances andinvestinginhisown smallbusinesshastaughthim resilienceanddetermination.
The40-year-oldentrepreneurbelieveshaving avisionispointlesswithoutfollowingthroughon projectsanddreams.He encouragestakingleaps offaithintobusinessventures,trustingthattheywill succeedandyieldprofits tosustainpersonalinvestment.
LlewellynCollymore
AMissionofInclusivity
Howoneyoungmanisdeterminedtobeavoiceforpersonslivingwithdisabilities
ByShaniyaHarding.
EVERYyearonDecember 3,Guyanajoinstheworld incelebratingtheInternationalDayofPeoplewith Disabilities.Thisyear,itis beingobservedunderthe theme,“Amplifyingthe leadershipofpersonswith disabilitiesforaninclusive andsustainablefuture”. Someonewhoembodies thisthemeisAsifKhan.At expectationseveryday. Bornvisuallyimpaired,he hastransformedapotential barrierintoapowerfulpurpose,dedicatinghislifeto leadership,advocacy,and teachingotherswholearn most.
Apackedchildhood ComingfromRegion Seven,Asifwasbornwith impairedvision,andwould
carefree,andvibrant.
SpeakingtothePepperpotMagazine,Asifshared, “Mychildhoodwasvery interesting,veryexciting.I participatedinalmostanythingandeverythingthat anyotherchildcouldhave basicallybeeninvolvedin— youknow,fromdifferent sportstocelebratingvarious kites,pickingfruitsfromthe trees,andmakingallsortsof troubleinschool.”Hisfamily latermovedtoGeorgetown.
ThisiswhereAsif’s passionforeducationtruly sparked,andwiththeright tools,hewassoonexcelling athisstudies.“IattendedSt. AgnesPrimary,andthenI movedontoSt.Rose’sHigh School.”Hefurtheradded, “Iwouldhavealsodonemy undergradininternational relationsattheUniversityof Guyana.So,movingtoCyril PotterCollegeandcomplet-
didacademically,attending highschoolandlaterthe UniversityofGuyana,was largelyowedtothetoolsand teacherstailoredtohisvisual disability.Althoughitwas nothisinitialaimforajob, Asifsoonfoundhimselfin theteachingprofession,and hehasnotlookedbacksince,
otherchildrenthesameencouragementandpatience hehad.
“Beingateacherwasneverreallymyactualcareer goal.ButlikeIsaid,teachingwouldhavecalledme, andIwouldn’tsayitwas somethingthatIdecidedor plannedfor,becausemycareerpathwasotherwise.But Iguess,beingabletocontributeandmakeanimpact onthelivesofstudentswho arevisuallyimpaired,which waspartofwhatIhadtodo intermsofmycontributions backtosociety.”
Asifsaysadayinhis classroomislikeanyother,sourcesandalittlemorepatience.“Learningforstudents andlearnerswithdisabilities isalwaysachallenge.Beingent.Oureducationalsystem inGuyanastillhasalotof gaps.However,fortunately now,thereismuchmore improvementinthesystem.” Hefurtheradded,“WhatIdotent.Adayinmyclassroom asateacherworkingwith visuallyimpairedstudentsis likeanyotherteacher’sday. Imeetwithmystudents,we haveourworkplannedfor whicheversubjectarea,and Icommenceteachingusing variousmethodologies.”
Beingavoiceforpersonswithdisabilities
Iintendedtodointerms ofadvocacywillcontinue.” Hefurtheradded,“Thereis alotbeingdonepresently. Thegovernmenthasbeen doingalotintermsofsome ofthesocialpolicies.In termsofeducation,there’s quitealotthere.”
ThereareanumberofareasandchallengesAsifsays personslivingwithdisabilitiesstrugglewith.Among themarethemorecomplex, lesser-knownissuessuch asaccessibility,specialised housing,andaccommodative transportation.Asheshared, “Forpersonswithdisabilities,atypicaldayforusisn’t easy.Wehavetotravel,transportationisachallenge,some personshavemedicalexpenses,etc.Sothere’squiteafew thingsmore.”Asifaddedthat heisoptimistic,giventhe stridesthecountryhasmade andthechangesthatwecontinuetosee.“I’moptimistic thatmuch,muchmorewill bedoneinthefuturebythe respectiveministries.Andwe lookforwardtothat,”hesaid.
Battlingmisconceptions
Throughouthiscareer,Asifhashadtofacea numberofchallenges,with everydaylifepresenting hurdles.Oneofhisbiggest battlescontinuestobethe misconceptionsofothers.
Teacheranddisabilityrightsactivist,AsifKhan (SamuelMaughnPhoto)
ability,itdoesn’tmeanthat theycan’tcriticallythink andanalyse,”heshared.
Asateacher,Asifemphasisesthatpeoplearemore thantheirdisabilities,having
Asifwhowasbornvisuallyimpairedhasbeena
laterbedeterminedaslegallyblind.Inthefaceofthis challenge,however,Asif describeshischildhoodas packed;neveronetoback downfromachallenge,he madeithismissiontodoeverythinghispeersdid.With thesupportofhisfamily,Asif’schildhooddayswerefun,
ingmyassociatedegreewas challenging;butIwaspreparedtodealwithit,toface thechallenges,andtocross whateverhurdles.”
Joiningtheteaching profession
OneofthereasonsAsif wasabletodoaswellashe
Asifhasbeenanactivist forpersonswithdisabilities sincehewasyoung,championingtheopinionsand rightsofhispeers.Hesays thatactivismisimportant, andalthoughGuyanahas comealongwayincraftingpoliciesanddeveloping accessibility,thereisstill morethatcouldbedone.As hestated,“Sincebasically fromtheageof,Iwould say,12,I’vebeenapartofa numberoforganisationsfor personswithdisabilities.I startedthen,andnow,even recently,Ihavefoundedmy ownorganisation.Andthis iswheretheworkofwhat
ForAsiftecahingisdoneoneonone,withspecialattentionbeingpaidto eachstudent(SamuelMaughnPhoto)
Asanactivist,Asifchampionsthesentimentofnot judgingabookbyitscover. “Firstofall,forpersons withdisabilities,othersmay thinkorfeelthatbecause wehaveadisability,weare notsmart.That’swrong. Becauseapersonhasadis-
passions,goals,andlivesoutsideoftheirimperfections. “Therearepersonswithdisabilitieswhohavefamilies, whohavehusbands,wives, andchildren.Sothosearethe threeIwouldmention.”
Now,asaneducator, Asifsaysthatthethingthat isimportanttochildren
livingwithdisabilitiesisthe samethingthatisimportantforallchildren:education.“Myadvicewouldbe totryyourbesttoensure thatyoutakeyoureducationseriously.Itdoesn’t matterwhatyouhavetodo toensurethatyoustudy. Thereareresourcesnow; therearebetteropportunities.”Hefurtheradded, “Don’tlimityourself,and don’tseeyourdisabilityas abarrier.”
Photo)
FROMSOMEWHERE,ASONGOFLOVE
Jarredlookedathimselfinthemirrorandsmiledathis
Todayhewassixteen!
Adayworthyoflove,gifts,bestwishes,andthankstothe
fromhismothersayingshewantedtoseehimonhisbirthday
MOSTfathersandmothersfacethepredicamentofdealingwiththeburdenofso-called‘socialadjustments’that ourchildrenencounter.MuchofwhatI’mreferringto areculturalimpositionscarryingcreedscontrarytowhat wecollectivelyknowhasworkedforusandwhatwehave heldsacrosanctascorevalues.Theseadjustmentsoften onthecorner.
Anelderwhoknewmyfamilywelloncesharedaphrase withmerepeatedly:“Thehecklersofmisguidanceshoutthe longestandtheloudest.”Hewouldoftenrelatethistothe Biblicalhecklers,paidbythepriests,whosehecklingultiofChrist.Intoday’sworld, choicesoftenrevolvearound groupaccommodation,which mightseembeneficialfor materialgainsbutmaycause thelossoftreasuredindividuality.Thisindividualitycan bereplacedwithoutimmediatelyrecognisingthevague, untrustworthypersonathat emerges—anidentityenvelopedinthewhispersofdoubt, replacingonce-solidcharacter traitsandinteractivetattoosof provenpersonality.
Webelieveinlineage,yet itisnotalwaysaccurately recorded.Afathermayhave beenaherotofamilymembersbutcouldfailtoaddressspring,leavingavoid.Insuch instances,themostpopular peersinthecommunitybedothesepeers,themselves survivorsofasocietypaying onlypartialattention,teach?Often,theyimpartsurvival mechanisms.Thesemechanismsarenotalwayscriminalbut arerarelyaltruisticandfrequentlyself-serving.Thisdynamic permeatesalllevelsofsociety,makingitcrucialthatdialogues
appealingtotheconscienceofchildrenbeginathome.
Thetoughconversationsmanyofushadwerenotalways
Theseindividuals,oftenfriendsofthefamily,believedthat beingafriend’schildentitledyoutothetalk.Interestingly, theiradvicefrequentlydrewuponbothscriptureandclassical literature.Theseweretradespeople,notacademics,yetthey readnovels,hardcoverbooks,andmagazines.Iremember buyingillustratedclassicsfromLatchmanSinghonCamp Street.Ipassedthismethodofengagingwithbookstomy children.Evenintoday’sageofunimaginableplatformsof manyofwhicharedisguisedentrapmentspreyingonour choices.
Onesuchmiragetodayistheoverwhelmingtemptationof duetopoordecisions.Gamblingisnotaninvestment.Many
yearsago,Iheardapieceofwisdomfromagamblerknown as‘Tum-bay’or‘Sparrow’fromLodge.Sparrowsaid,“A gamblerdoesn’twinmoney;heonlywinsbackpartofwhat helost.”IrecalloneOldYear’sNightonPunchTrenchRoad, BarStreet,watchingagamblingduelbetweenLouiandthe lateAckaTiger.Myattention,however,wasonthebeautiful sisterofaRootsbusinessman,patientlywaitingforLouito winsotheycouldattendthedance.Itneverhappened—Loui lost.Astheoldfolkssay,“Sometimes,you’vegottolearn fromotherpeople’smistakes.”
encesfromthepaststillholdvaluablelessons.Examine theroadyoutravel.Exploreeverystrangesuggestionthat seemstobejust“alittlething.”Don’tenvyhowquickly truestorythehardway.
INTERNATIONALMountainDayisobservedannually on11thDecember.Ithighlightstheimportanceofmountainsinsustainingecologicalbalanceandsupportinghumancommunities.Thethemefor2024,“MountainSolutionsforaSustainableFuture–Innovation,Adaptation, andYouth,”underscorestheneedforinnovativestrategies, adaptivemeasures,andtheactiveinvolvementofyouth inaddressingtheuniquechallengesfacedbymountain communitiesworldwide.
InGuyana,theKanukuMountainsstandasasymbolof thenation’srichbiodiversityandculturalheritage.Situatedin RegionNine,theKanukuMountainsProtectedArea(KMPA) spansapproximately611,000hectares,representingabout 2.8%ofGuyana’stotallandarea.Thename“Kanuku,”dethearea’slushlandscapes.Theregionishometoover1,400 vertebratespecies,including53%ofGuyana’sknownbird species,suchastheGreen-TailedJacamar,andabout70% ofitsmammalianpopulation,includingthegiantotter,harpy eagle,andarapaima.TheKanukuMountainsalsohouse11 ofGuyana’s12mammalspecieslistedintheIUCNRedData Bookandboasttheworld’shighestbatdiversity,with89 documentedspecies.
RecognisingtheecologicalimportanceoftheKanuku Mountains,theGovernmentof Guyanadesignatedtheareaasa NationalProtectedAreain2011. Thisstatusaimstopreservethe region’suniqueecosystems whilesupportingthelivelihoods oftheindigenousMacushiand Wapishanacommunities,who dependonthemountains’resourcesforsubsistence.
Inlinewiththe2024InternationalMountainDaytheme, Guyanahaslaunchedthe“SecuringaLivingAmazonthrough LandscapeConnectivityin SouthernGuyana”projectunder theAmazonSustainableLandscapes(ASL)Programme.Initiproject,fundedbytheGlobal
EnvironmentFacility(GEF)and implementedby theWorldWildlife Fund(WWF),focusesonenhancing landscapeconnectivityandimprovingthemanagementofprotected areasinGuyana’s southernforests.
LedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA) inpartnershipwith theProtectedAreasCommission (PAC)andtheGuyanaForestryCommission(GFC), theprojectaimsto strengthentheman-
agementoftheKMPAandtheNorthRupununiWetlands, coveringacombinedareaofover1.5millionhectares. Itemphasisessustainablelandandwatermanagement, communityengagement,andgender-sensitivedeveloppromotingenvironmentalstewardship.
ThroughtheASLproject,Guyanaactivelycontributes totheglobalobjectivesofInternationalMountainDay 2024,ensuringthatitsmountainousregionscontinueto thriveforgenerationstocome.
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ASthecolumnistofYouthPerspectiveforoversixyears, Ibelieveitistimetopayhomagetothetitleofthecolumnitself—YouthPerspective.Theconceptofayouth perspectiveremainsasrelevanttotoday’syouthasitwas yearsago.Olderadultsoftendisregardtheconversations orexperiencesyoungpeopleface,associatingtheirexperiencesorideaswith“inexperience”anddismissingthem infavourofthosefrom“moreexperienced”individuals. WhenIstartedthiscolumn,thiswasadilemmamany youngpeopleacrossGuyana,includingmyself,faced. Givenmysocialworkbackground,Iusedthisplatformto oftenoverlooked.Unfortunately,somestillassociateyouth withinexperienceorignorance.However,Iamwritingthis columntoremindeveryonethatyoungpeopleaddvalue andsubstancetoissuesandeventsallaround.
HaveyoueverwatchedtheYouthParliamentDebatesin Guyanatoseehowyoungsecondaryschoolstudentspassionatelyarguetheirpointsonanissue?Orhaveyounoticedthe
achievementsoftheyouth armsofestablishedorganisationswhensupportedby mentors?Ifyou’veanswered yestoeither,you’realready halfwaytoseeingthebigger picture.Inessence,young peopledeserveaseatatthe decision-makingtables.They deservetohaveasayinthe sharetheirperspectiveson howtheseissuesmightbe addressed.Inarecentdebate Ihadwitholderadults,“Gen Z”waslabelledthegeneraSEEPAGEXVIII
PEOPLEandtheirchoicesdrivetheworldeachday. Strangely,weinteractwithoneanothermuchlike moleculesinacupofwater;wecollide,adhere,and constantlyformnewbonds.However,thenatureofour interactionschangesdramaticallywhentheworlditself changes.Forinstance,whenyoufreezeacupofwater, themoleculeswithinitalmoststopmovingentirelyand rarelycollide.Whenyouboilthesamecupofwater,the moleculesspeedupandcollidesofrequentlythatwater escapesthecupasvapour.Humanbehaviour,especially howweinteractwithoneanother,isaheavilyexamined anddebatedtopic.Yet,thissimplecomparisontoacup
aroundthemchanges.
Asyoungpeople,wearegiventheresponsibilityofcaringfortheworldassoonasweareoldenoughtounderstand somepartsofit.Ifwefailinthisresponsibility,wecreate apoorhomeforfuturegenerations.Butwhatdoesittruly meantocreateabetterworld?Whatdoesitmeantoshape theplanetforfuturegenerations?Forayoungstudentwho hasbarelycompletedtheireducation;achildstillinschool, orayoungadultwhohasyettounderstandthemeaningof theirownlife,theideaofcreatingabetterworldcanseem incomprehensibleandunrealistic.
Afterall,wearemerelylittlemoleculeswithinacup;we cannotcontrolthetemperaturethatmobilisestheseparticles. Allwecandoisrespondtothechangesandtrynottopush eachotheroutofthecup.
Nevertheless,wedoholdsomepower.Theage-oldargumentofwhetherManshapessocietyorsocietyshapesMan howwebehave,itisequallytruethatwecancollectively changethewaytheworldexists.Perhaps,theeasiestwayto startchangingtheworldistorecognisethemeansbywhich
Changingtheworldcanbeassimpleassaying“no”,as RosaParksdid.Itcanbeassimpleasdemonstratingpeace, asMahatmaGandhidid.Itcanbeassimpleasembracing individualityinacrowdthatpromotesconformity,asWinnie
Theideaofchangingtheworldbecomesunrealisticonly whenweforgetthatwearelittlemoleculesinacup.Being
Thoughwecannottransformtheworldorcreateanewsocietyinasingleday,wecanmakechoicesthatinspireothers toworktowardsacommongoal.
Historyhasshownthatwhenagenerationisgiven motivationanddirection,itcansparkarevolution.To thatextendbeyondtheboundariesofourownlives.We mustviewourselvesaspartofalargerpopulationthat sharesourstrugglesratherthanasindividualsisolated inourvictoriesanddefeats.Startbyrecognisingwhat youwanttochangeintheworld,andbelievethatyou canchangeit.Believeinyourabilitytoshapetheworld; believeinyourcapacityforchange.
WHENEVERasmalloil-producingcountryemergesin theworld,alargenumberofpredatorycarpetbaggers congregateonthehorizon,awaitingtheopportunityto pounceontheneweconomyandexploitit.
Throughwell-practisedtechniques,theyquicklyedge outthelocalpopulationfromlucrativesectors,making thepromiseofarapidlyrisingstandardoflivingforthe nativepopulationamerepipedream.Guyana,asanew oil-producingcountry,facedthesamefate,butmanaged, inthenickoftime,toprotectGuyanesecitizensthrough theLocalContentAct,whichreservescertaintypesofinvestmentandemploymentforGuyanese,withthepotential forexpansionwhenneeded.
Oneareaofinvestmentandemploymentescapedthe protectionoftheLocalContentAct.Throughthisloophole,asteadystreamofEastAsians,almostallChinese, ofdisplacingandtakingoverthelocalretailtrade.This movementhasbeenquickandorganised,almostasif centrallydirected.Localretailersandagrowingbodyof consumershavebeencomplainingaboutthisapparent unfairexploitation.
TheGeorgetownChamberofCommerceandIndustry (GCCI),oneoftheCaribbean’soldestandmostrespected tradeorganisations,hasspokenoutagainstthisunfair onslaughtonlocalretailbusinesses.Dr.BharratJagdeo, asVice-PresidentandGeneralSecretaryofthePPP,the partyingovernment,hasalsopubliclyacknowledgedthe problem.Localbusinesspersons,whileacceptingtheentry isnotlevel,withunfaircompetitionpresentingthereal challenge.
Theelementsofthisunfaircompetitioncanbeattributedtolapsesbygovernmentdepartmentsresponsible forenforcinglawsandregulationsgoverningretailtrade. attitudewhenitcomestoenforcinglawsandregulations needstobeexposedandaddressedbytherelevantministers.Belowaresomeoftheselapsesthatrequireimmediate attention:
1:INCOMETAXES
Carefulassessmentofincometaxesforeachretailer isessential.SomeEastAsianentitiesevadeincometaxes, andevenincaseswhereattemptsaremadetocollectthem, theyresistpayment.Recently,itwasreportedinthemedia thatalargehardwarestorewasassessedfor$10millionin taxes.Afterinitiallyagreeingtopay,itsuddenlyreversed itspositionandtookthemattertocourt.
2:NATIONALINSURANCE(NIS)CONTRIBUTIONS
NationalInsurancecontributionsareignoredbymany EastAsianbusinesses.Localbusinessesdutifullypaythese contributions,especiallythelargerones.IfEastAsian localandEastAsianretailers.
3:CUSTOMSDUTIES
Theinvoicesofstockshouldbecarefullyexamined.It issuspectedthatelementswithintheCustomsDepartment allowgoodstobecorruptlyadmittedatundervaluedrates orduty-freebyattachingthemtoimportsbyseveralChineseentitiesthatqualify fordutyexemptions.Local
4:EXPIREDGOODS
EastAsianretailersrarelyissuereceiptsunlessre-
Theforegoingissuesdemonstratealackofalevelvantageoverlocalretailers.TheStateofGuyanahas thissituation.ProtectingGuyaneseretailersaligns withthepracticalandphilosophicalprinciplesofthe
TheRoadtoPublication:EditingYourManuscript
InhisbookOnWriting:AMemoiroftheCraft,Stephen Kingquips(perhapsseriously)that“towriteishuman,to editisdivine.”It’sawittyreworkingoftheadageabout forgiveness,butitalsohighlightsjusthowcrucialediting istothecraftofwriting.
Asaneditormyself,Icansaywithoutbiasthateditingis perhapsthemostintimate—andessential—partofwriting. Inmyyoungerdays,particularlywhiledabblinginpoetry,I purestformofart,nottobetouchedafterwards.Thismindset quicklychanged,andforgoodreason.WhileIcouldoccasionallygetawaywiththatapproachinpoetry,proseisanentirely thistransformation.
Whyeditingmatters
Theeditingstageiscriticalforseveralreasons.First, publish.Forthosepursuingtraditionalpublishing,editingisgoprofessionaleditingbeforehittingtheshelves.
Forself-publishedauthors,theresponsibilityofediting fallsentirelyonyourshoulders.Whilemanywritersattemptto handlethisthemselves,hiringaprofessionaleditorisstrongly ofeditingbecomesinvaluable.
andstructureofyourcontent. characterisation,andstyle. clarity. readability,preparingyourworkforpublication. beforepublication. factualinformation. knewthemanuscripthadinconsistenciesthatrequiredexpert attention.
Myeditingexperience
Ifoundmyincredibleeditor,StephanieWilson,onFiverr. SheinitiallyconductedaneditorialassessmentwhileIwas providedathoroughcritique,highlightinginconsistenciesand waystosharpenthenarrative,
TheRoadto Publication...
deepenthecharacters,and
Ifyou’recuriousaboutwriting,publishing,orediting—orifyou’dlikeadvice—feelfreetoreachoutat thewritemind@gmail.com.
tionofTikTokers,disregarding everythingelse.Classifyingan entiregenerationbasedonan disconnectwefacetoday—misconceptions.
Ineverygeneration,youngpeoplehavebeenpositively associatedwiththeword“innovation.”Thisisbecauseof the“fresh,”new,oruniqueperspectivestheybringtodiscussionswhengiventheopportunity.Insteadoflabelling GenZas“TikTokers”or“TabletBabies,”whynotask howtheiruniquenesscanhelpsolvereal-worldissues? Orconsiderhowtheycanaddresstheirownissuesusing skillstheyarecomfortablewith,suchascontentcreation. Inanever-changingworld,theremustbeevolvingthought processesandperspectives.Whileauthenticityisessential, it’sequallyvitaltoembracechange,suchasGenZ’suseof technologytoimproveclimateconditionsorraiseawareness ofcurrentsocialissues.
Youngpeopleoftenknowwhatcanhelpthem—allthey needisguidanceandpatience.Iwaspartofvariousyouth groupsinmyearlylife,andImustsaythattheonesIfound mostnurturingwerethosethatallowedmetogrowindeintimidateyoungpeople.Inmymostsuccessfulgroups,I enjoyedchoosingthetopicsIwantedtoadvocatefor,developingsolutionsindependently,creatingcampaignsforthe causes,anddetermininghowtoaccomplishmygoals.Inmy church’syouthgroup,wecollectivelydecidedonactivities likeahotdogsaleforfundraisingorasuicideawareness march.Meanwhile,ourmentorsensuredwewereguided throughourtasksandlearnedvaluablelessonsaboutthe impactsofourdecisions.
Inmyexperiencewithcommunityengagementand work,thefuturebelongstotheyouth.Whilethismaybe Tocreateasustainableandequitablecommunityfor all,youngpeoplemustunderstandtheirvalueandhow theycanbecomechangeagentsfortheircommunities andcountry.Ifthepresidentsoftodaydonotinspirethe presidentsoftomorrow,whothenwillleadourfuture? Inasense,thisisaformofinheritance—thedecisionswe maketodaywillimpactfuturegenerations,whetherwe areheretowitnessthemornot.
Thechallengesyoungpeoplefacegrowdaily,including mentalhealthissues,thechanginglandscapeofworkand educationaftertheCOVID-19pandemic,andenvironmentalchangescausedbyglobalwarming.Thesolutionsbeing theygrowintoolderadultsandbegintheirownfamilies. Similarly,solutions(orthelackthereof)implementedde-
Itistimetoopenupthe“roundtable,”addafew morechairsandengageinmeaningfulconversationswith youngpeople.Misconceptionsandmisinformationshould notguidedecisions.Finally,tomyfellowyoungpeople:if thetablesarenotwelcoming,Ihopethiscolumninspirestion.Ourvoices,thoughts,andsolutionsmustbeheard becauseourcollectivefuturedependsonit.
FROMPAGEXI
attention.
thetext?
ination.
Misuseofmedications
Mostcommonandprescribedmedicationsarereadily availablefromnon-compliantpharmaciesandtraders. Incidentally,somedoctorsunnecessarilyprescribedrugs forpatients.Peopleindiscriminatelyconsumeantibiotics totreatthemselves,unawareoftheinherentdangers. Theseactscaneasilyleadtopatientsdevelopingtendenciesorpotentialformisuse.
Whenweheartheterm“drugabuse,”wetypically thinkoftheexcessiveuseofalcohol,cocaine,ormarijuana. antibiotics,analgesics,sedatives,andevenvitaminsuppleisfareasiertoovercomedrugabusethanaddiction.
Theavailabilityofcommonmedicationsfromrecalcitrantdrugstoreownersandtradersexacerbatestheproblem. Unnecessaryprescriptionsbysomedoctorsaddtotheissue. Whenpeopleindiscriminatelyconsumeantibioticswithout understandingtheirrisks,thetendencyformisuseincreases.
Perhapsevenmoredangerousisthefactthatboththe patientandthetargetpathogencanbecomeimmunetothe changeinmedicationorhigherdosestoachievethedesired result.
Acuteinfectionscausedbydecayedteeth—characterthemouth—shouldbetreatedwithpenicillinGinjections twicedailyduringtheinitialdaysofonset.Oralantibioticsscessesorfacialcellulitisbecausetheygenerallydonotkill bacteriabutmerelypreventtheirmultiplication.
Additionally,thestrengthofcapsulesandtabletsdiminishesafterbeingmetabolisedbytheliver.Recommended practiceincludeslocalisingtheabscesswithheatpacksand drainingitalongsidepenicillininjections.Antibioticsinthe bloodstreamalonecannotpenetratethecoreoftheabscess spread,leadingtosepticaemia.
(smallopeningsthatconstantlyoozepus),treatmentshould focusonremovingthecause,whichisinvariablyadiseased tooth,ratherthanrelyingonantibiotictherapy. foreachother.Theyworkbyinhibitingtheproductionof prostaglandins,whichcausepain.Ibuprofen,indosesof 400mgeveryeighthours,isamongthebestforsevere pain.Aspirinremainsoneofthemostwidelyusedanddependableanalgesicsformildtomoderatepain.However,its commonplacestatusoftenleadspatientstounderestimate
alisticfreedomfromfearofdentalprocedures.While thismayseemidealforpatientsinseverepain,codeine istentimesmoredangerousthanmarijuanaandshould beavoidedifpossible.Sincealldrugshaveharmful beforetheiruse.
