FromMabaruma toTimehri
Lookingatwhatittakestosettledownsomewherenew
Miaandherfamilyat theirTimehrihome (SamuelMaughnphoto)
THEPanMinorsMusic LiteracyCampisbeing heldforthe13thtimethis year.Establishedwitha viewtoprovidingyoung peoplewithanopportunitytolearnandappreciate steelpanmusic,thecamp alsofostersothermusical talentsandculturalheritage.
Heldannually,Republic Bankhasbeensponsoring theevent,whichisaproduct oftheMinistryofCulture, YouthandSportunderthe NationalSchoolofMusic andtheMinistryofEducation’sUnitofAlliedArts.
Thisisthesecondyear thatKellishaEdwardswill becoordinatingthecamp, whichwillrunfromAugust 12to23andwillseeparticipantsfromvariousschool bandsacrossthecountry.
“It’sacollaborativeef-
fortbytheministryandRepublicBank,andthecamp isheldtofocusonstrengtheningtheskillsofplayers, whethernewplayersor thosefromschoolbands aroundthecountry,”Edwardssharedinaninterview withPepperpotMagazine.
Thisyear,therewillbe sevenregionalcamps:RegionTwoatAnnaRegina Secondary,RegionThreeat WestDemeraraSecondary, RegionFouratBuxton, GeorgetownattheNational SchoolofMusic,Region SixatBerbiceHighSchool, RegionSevenattheBartica CommunityCenter,and Region10attheMackenzie HighSchool.
Atthemoment,organisersarereachingouttothe differentbandstoseehow manypeoplewillbeattending.Thetarget,though,is
aboutcollaboratingwithothers,teachthemdiscipline,as wellascausingthemtobea bitmorefocusedwiththeir schoolwork,”Edwardssaid.
TheunitintheEducation Ministryisassistingwiththe groundworkandcoordination sinceitdealswiththeperformingarts.
JoelGonsalves,EducationOfficer–Music,shared thatthecampisbeingtaken tovariousregionsacrossthe countrythisyear.“Weare hopingthatourstudentswill benefitandthattheirinterest willpeaknotonlytoplayan instrumentbutalsotoadvance
balancedcurriculum.
175students.
“Musichelpstoopen upthecapacityofthestudentstolearnmore.Ithelps themdevelopaskill,learn
andmovetothenextlevelof musicwhichisCXCthatis beingofferedinourcountry,” heexpressed.
Hepointedoutthatmusic isapartofthefivepriority programmes.“Thatalsohelps tohighlightthatattheendof achild’ssecondaryschool life,atleastthechildwillbe givenanexposuretoplayan instrumentortwo.”
Gonsalvessaidtheyare hopingthatasaresultofthis, theywillgetstudentstobuy intotheirprogrammesothat theymaybeabletoenjoya
AccordingtotheMinistryofEducation,theart formofsteelpanplaying originatesintheCaribbean. “Historyhasshownthatit istheonlymusicalinstrumentinventedintheearly nineteenthcentury.Studies haveshownthatmusiceducationatanearlyagegreatlyincreasesthelikelihood thatachildwillgrowupto seekhighereducation.In addition,studentswhohad anexposuretomusicmade betterteamplayersinthe workforce,”theministry said.
“Therelationshipbetween musiceducationandbetter
performanceinlifeisnotaccidental.Ifwewanttocontinue asacreativesociety,finding solutionstotheever-changing world,weneedtoexposeour childrentothearts.Music willhelptoshapeourculture, anditisthegreatequaliser amongpeopleofdifferent racial,socialandeconomic backgrounds,”itadded. Justrecently,theAmity SchoolsSteelbandFestival,organisedbythesame unitintheMinistryofEducation,wasbackagain, withsomeofthebestschool bandsacrossthecountry comingtogethertoperform forthepublicattheSeawall EsplanadeinKingston.
JoelGonsalves,EducationOfficer–Music
Thisyear,therewillbesevenregionalcamps
Thecampisbeingheldforthe13thtimethis year
Heldannually,RepublicBankhasbeensponsoringtheevent TheMinistryofEducation’sUnitofAlliedArtsis
Fromskeptictoadvocate
Onewomanisonamissiontochangemindswiththegameofchess
ByShaniyaHarding.
CHESSisnoeasygame, whichispreciselywhyit isconsideredasport.With theKing,Queen,andRook, playersaretaskedwithintensedecision-makingand mustsuffertheconsequencesoftheirchoices.Thisis whythegameissohighly reveredforitsdifficulty, butmoresoforitsability toteachvaluablelessons. ThisiswhyMarciaLee fellinlovewiththegame andisnowseekingtoteach childrenandwomenthe significanceofdecisions.
Mother,wife,andnow avidchessplayer,Marcia Leedescribesherselfasshy. Afamilywoman,Marciahad nointerestinchessseveral yearsago.However,after learningthegameoftactics fromhersonandhusband, sheknewshewantedtoteach ittoothers.AsMarciatold thePepperpotMagazine,“I neverthoughtthatIwouldbe interestedinchess.Ialways lookedatthegame,andI said,youknow,thislooks boring.Idon’tthinkIwant toplaythisorbeanywhere nearchess.Butthen,myson andmyhusbandtaughtme howtoplay.”
Chessbeganasa familygameforMarcia.Assheexplained, “MysonattendedMarianAcademy,andhe startedoutbytakingan interestinchess.And throughtheschool,my husbandstartedteaching chess;healsoisachess playerandstartedsupportingmysonthrough thechessclubthereat Marian.”Thiswasthe firststepintotheworld ofchess.“In2012,we startedrunningthechess clubthereatMarian,so Istartedassistingmy husband,becausehewas working.AndheandI, afterschoolonFridays, startedrunningthechess club,andIstartedgetting intoteachingchess,”said Marcia.
Marcia’sroleinthe chesscommunityhas evolvedfromalearner toateacherandnowa pioneer.TheChessin Schoolprogrammetook offduringthepandemic, andMarciabecamemore involvedwiththeGuyanaChessFederation in2020duringthepandemic.“Wetookchess onlineduringthepan-
demic.Then,Ithinkin2021 whentheyhadtheelections fortheChessFederation,I becamethecompany’ssecretary.Becausewetookseveral schools,wecreatedonline clubsforseveralschools,and wewereabletogetchildren playingchessonlineusing ourChessKid.complatform,” sheexplains.
TheNationalJuniorChampionship QualifiersTournament,akeyeventin theGuyanesechess calendar,hasseena remarkableincrease inparticipation.“Everyyear,wehave about40to60studentsplayingchess atthesetournaments. OurNationalJunior ChampionshipQualifiersTournamentgets us75studentsevery year,”Marciasays.
Marcia’smost remarkableachievement,however,isher workinestablishing theGuyanaWomen inChesscommunity. Launchedin2021, thisinitiativehasbeen instrumentalinencouragingmorewomenandyounggirls toparticipateinthe sport.“Wehavebeen successfulingetting somewomentosign upwiththeFederation.Sofar,wehave nothadatournament. Actually,thatison theagendabeforethe yearisout.Iwant tobeabletohavea tournamentjustfor women,”Marciasays.
Thegrowthofchessin Guyanahasbeenremarkable. AsMarciaexplains,“Iwould sayprior,like2018,2019,the interestwasabitless.But thenitdoubledortripled,I wouldsay,moreduringthe pandemic.Andthenwhenwe cameoutandwehadtournamentsandsoon.TheChess
Federationjustgrew,largely withschoolchildren,because theinterestwasthereonline,” Marciastates.
Marcia’spassionfor chessextendsbeyondjust playingthegame;shebelievesitholdsimmensevalue forchildrenandstudents. “Iwouldliketoencourage morestudentstoplaychess becauseIbelievethatithelps themasindividualsandas students.Itteachesthemto think,tohavepatience.They havetothinkbeforethey makeamove.Basically,there areconsequencestotheiractions.Iftheyknowthatthey makeamistake,itmakes them,theyhavetomake thoughtfuldecisionsthere.”
Marcia’scommitment tofosteringthesevaluable skillsinyoungpeopleisevidentinhertirelessefforts topromotechesswithin theGuyaneseeducation system.Today,herwork isongoinginpromoting thebeautifulgameofchess amongchildrenandwomenasabeginner’schess teacher.Currently,Marcia isspreadingherlovefor thesportinlocalschools inGeorgetown,namley,St JosephHighSchoolandSt. StanislausCollege.Sherecognisesthegame’sabilityto developessentialqualities likestrategicthinking,patience,anddecision-making,whichcanservestudentswellintheiracademicandpersonalpursuits. Marcia’sjourneyfroma shyskeptictoapioneering complexchessadvocateis trulyaninspiration.
MarciaLee
WHENFalanaFraserestablishedFavour’sHair Therapy,itwasoutoflove duetoherson’shaircondition.Today,ithasbecome athrivingsmallbusiness empoweringhertorealise hertruepotentialwithher ownhaircareandbeard products.
Theproductsincludehair oil,hairpomade,beardoil, beardwashandconditioner, edgebalm,shampooand conditioner,hairmist,beard andhairtools.
Accordingtoherselfnamedbusiness,Favour’s HairTherapy,“promote(s) healthyandstronggrowth forallhairtypes”.Itisa smallbusinessthatstartedin thekitchen,andithadatrial periodbeforetheproducts werelaunched.
Fraserisoriginallyfrom UitvlugtbutresidesatAnna Catherina,WestCoastDemerara.Sheismarriedand hasathree-year-oldson.
Sheexplainedthatafter thebirthofherchild,she noticedthathehadissues withhairgrowth,andparts ofhisheadwereverypatchy withnohair,andshewanted tochangethat.
Fraserledherselfinto detailedresearch,andaftergainingknowledge,she experimentedwithsome ingredientsandmadeahair oilfromaloe,coconutoil andonion.
Shebeganmassaging thehome-madeoilintoher son’shair/scalp,andwithin ashorttime,shenoticeda difference:hisbaldspots werereplacedwithnewhair growth,andsoonhehada fullheadofhairwhichcould beheldinaponytail.
Thetransformationof herson’sonce-patchyhair wasreplacedbyfullhair growthwithinthreetofour months,andtoday,hishair remainshealthyandfull.
FrasertoldthePepperpot Magazinethatthepositive resultsinherchild’shair processmotivatedherto makemoreoftheplantbasedhairoilandshebegan sharingitamongfamily members.
Thedemandwasgreat withinherfamilytree,and oneday,herfatherencouragedhertoutilisehernewfoundskilltoestablisha smallbusinesstobringinan incometoherhome.
Assuch,in2022,she launchedherproductsin whichthehairoilinfused
withrosemaryoilbecame thebestseller.Shebranded herproductsandwentabout tobecomearegisteredbusiness.
Fraser’shairoilwas thenvettedassafeforuse bytherelevantauthorities, certifiedandhasitsown labelandpackagingto markettheproducts.She explainedthatthename “Favour”isapowerfulBiblenamewhichsuitedher smallbusiness.
Theentrepreneurrelatedthatherproductsareall plant-basedandgiveatherapeuticfeelingwhenused andeverythingfromplants
isusedintheproduction oftheproducts,including essentialoils.
Fraseraddedthatasa
smallbusiness,sheoperates fromtheconfinesofher homebuthaspick-uplocationsinthecityandonthe WestCoastDemerara.
Asasmallbusinessowner,Frasersaysofallher products,threehavebeen FDA-approvedandsheis workingtogetallcertified butisregisteredwithGuyanaMarketingCorporation (GMC),GCCIand,GSMA andtheSmallBusinessBureau.
Sherelatedthatbeing
registeredwiththeauthoritiesisanavenuefornetworkingandmarketingthe products,anditisbeneficialtohaveallyourproductscertified,labelled,and well-packaged. Themotherofonestatedthatsheisconstantly inspiredbycustomersand theirreviewsandtestimonialsoftheproducts,and beingasmallbusinessisn’t ‘allbedofroses’.Itrequires hardwork,dedication,consistencyandmoneytostay
afloat.
Sheaddedthathervision istoproducetop-quality, effectiveproductsandshe wouldliketobecomenumberoneinhaircareandbeard oils.
“Fortheveryfirsttime, thisyear,Ihadaboothat theEmancipationDaycelebrationsintheNationalPark andIwaspleasedwiththe responseIattractedthrough myproducts,whichIamusingasamotivatingfactorto keepgoing,”shesaid.
Shereportedthatscores ofpeopleweregenuinely interestedintheproducts andevenencouragedherto producemore.Shewasalso complimentedonherattractivepackaging.
Fraserstatedthatalthoughallthemanufacturingtakesplaceatherhome, shewouldsomedayliketo haveaseparatefacilityfor thatpurpose,alongwitha storetosellanddisplayher products.
“Iadvertisemysmall businessviasocialmedia, thatis,FacebookandTik Tok,andIoftenhaveto producedailycontentto promotemyproductsandI cansayIhaveafewloyal customers.Isupplyafewsalons,spasandbarbershops, theGuyanaShopandCoss CutterSupermarketwithmy productsinwhichsaleshave beenfair,”shesaid.
Fraseristheholderofa degreeinPublicManagementfromtheUniversityof Guyanaandiscertifiedin lawfromLondonUniversity.
Beingself-employedis quiteempoweringandshe feelsthatthereisnorestraint inbecomingsuccessfulin businessthroughnetworking,marketingandconsistency.
Fraseralwaysrepresentsherbrand,Favour’sHairTherapy,with hercustom-madeshirts andotherproducts,which sheproudlywearsand display.
FalanaFraser,entrepreneur.
FalanaFraserandherproducts.
FOR23-year-oldAaliyah Douglas,lifeisaboutembracingchallengesandallowingthemtobringout thepositivesineverysituation.Aslongassomething seemstoodifficultormakes heranxious,that’sthevery thingshe’deventuallydecidetojumpon,and,sofar, she’sfoundthatsuchthings haveledhertonothingbut success.
Herlatestfeatwasbeing crownedthe‘MissRegion ThreePageant2024’winner,whichshehadjusthappenedtoseeonsomeone’s WhatsAppstatus.Immediately,shereflected,thethought ofenteringthepageantmade herjittery.
“Istartedgettinganxiety,butItoldmyselfthisis exactlywhyIshouldgofor itbecauseyouneverknow what’sinstore.SoIsaid, winorlose,Iwillgiveita try.Ichallengedmyselftoit andlookattheoutcome,”she sharedinaninterviewwith PepperpotMagazine.
Shedidn’ttellpeople shewouldauditionbecause justhearinghertalkabout itelicitedsomenegative comments.Soshekeptit toherself,wentaheadand auditioned,andgotaccepted.
BornandraisedatGoed Fortuin,asmallvillageon theWestBankDemerara neighbouringSchoonard andVersailles,Aaliyahis
anAmericanUniversityof PeaceStudiesstudentpursuingaprofessionalcounsellingdiploma.
Althoughshelikedmusic,dancingandathletics sincehernurseryschool days,shedecidedtoputthose interestsonholdwhenshe finishedschooltofocuson workandmorestudies.
“Iwanttobeatherapist anddocounselling.Iwantto beanall-rounderandbeable toassistpeoplenotonlywith talktherapybuttodothings physicallytohelpthem.Ilike beinginvolvedinvarious thingsatonce,keepingmyselfactive,”sheshared.
“FromchildhoodIwantedtobeindependentand achievegreatthingsformyself.That’swhyIamalways pushingforgreatthingsthat willrewardmeandhelpme feelgoodaboutmyself,”the ambitiousAaliyah,whoisalreadyasmallbusinessowner ofADPrintsandCopying Centre,said.
“Iwaschallengingmyself doingthingsIfearedand thatanxietywouldtakeme over,soIsaidtomyselfthat everythingIgetalittleanxietyabout,Iamgoingtodo itbecausethatiskeepingme fromachievinggreatthings. Anxietyisabigman,soI saidIamgoingaftereverythingthatanxietykeepsme from,”sheadded.
Aaliyahsaidshewanted
Aaliyahmakesitapointtogetouthercomfort zoneandalwaysfindssuccess
Newlycrowned‘MissRegion3’, AaliyahDouglas
Aaliyahwantstoinspireothersandmakean impactontheirlives
toinspireothersandleavean impact.“Eventhoughyou havechallenges,youcanstill getagoodstoryoutofit.The harderitgetsisthesweeter thevictorywillbe,soIuse thatasmotivationtokeep going.”
Asshefocusedonthe recentpageant,shealsohad tofindtimeforwork,studies, andherbusiness,andeven
thoughitgotoverwhelming attimes,resultingintears, Aaliyahsaidshepushed through,knowingthatitwas justforatime.
Heradvicetoothers withsimilarcircumstancesis“Challengeyourself; comeoutofyourcomfort zone.Youdon’tknowwhat you’recapableofuntilyou stepout.”
ByMichelOutridge
DOINGmultiplejobsto makeendsmeetandsupportherthreechildrenis apriorityforsmallbusinessownerAbiolaArcher Clarke,whoremainsoptimisticthatshewillsucceed.
Withthemotto“Happinessisacleanandorganised environment”includedas partofherlogoonherbusinesscard,AbiolaArcher ClarkefromWismar,Linden isthesmallbusinessownerof SpickandSpanCleaningServicesandSuppliesandwould liketocontinueonthepathto successfulentrepreneurship.
ThemotherofthreeresidesinSilvertown,andher smallbusinessideawasrealisedwhenshebeganwriting grocerylistswithcleaning suppliesonaseparatelist.It startedasahobbybeforeshe beganshoppingforherhome.
Clarkereportedthatshe birthedtheideaofcreating ajanitorialsmallbusiness fromherhome.Theyhadan unusedverandah,andshe converteditintoastorefor cleaningsupplies.
Backthen,sheexplained thatshestartedwritingshoppinglistsasaformofcoping mechanismin2020,butshe didn’thavethefundstostock thestorefully.
She,however,registered thesmallbusinesswith
SmallBureauforagrantof $300,000asastarterforher businessandestablisheda cleaningservicewhereshe employedafewpersonsto professionallycleanoffices, businessesandhomes.
Sheadvertisedhersmall businessonsocialmediaand ‘wordofmouth’asnewsof hersmallbusinessspread, andshegotafewjobs.
Clarkereportedthatshe couldn’tstockupherstore withcleaningsupplies,but thecleaningaspectofher smallbusinesswasestablished,anditisstilloperating withfourfull-timestaffers andtwopart-timeworkers.
Shenotedthatshewill beabletofullyestablishher cleaningsuppliesstoreone day,havinggarneredsufficientfundstodoso.Inthe meantime,sheistryingto keepthedoorsofhercleaningbusinessopensinceshe hastopayemployeesand manageitefficiently.
Clarkeexplainedthat wheneverthecleaningservicesareneeded,theywould visitthelocationandassess thecleaningsupplies/equipmentneedsandthepricing beforethejobisdone.
Shepointedoutthatgettingcontractstodoregular professionalcleaningatofficeshasbeenchallenging, butshehasbeengettingafew jobshereandthere,although
thereisnothingpermanent inthesmalltownofLinden.
Clarkeaddedthather smallbusinessisstillgrowingandsheishopefulof gettingpermanentcontracts todoprofessionalcleaning soshecanbettersustainthe business.
Theentrepreneurtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethatshe hassinceregisteredwiththe LocalContentSecretariatto seeifshecanbenefitfrom
theoilandgassectorfor professionalcleaningservices,butsofar,nothinghas materialised.
Clarke,however,remains hopefulthathersmallbusinesswillblossomastime goesbyandthatshewillbe recognisedforprovidingprofessional,efficient,reliable services.
Shewouldliketolaunch alaundromatbusinessin Linden,butfornow,shewill concentrateonhercleaning servicebusiness.
Clarkeisanativeof Linden,andsheattendedMcKenzieHighSchool andafterexitingtheschool system,shewenttoLinden TechnicalInstituteforone yearbeforesheenrolledat theUniversityofGuyana (UG),wheresheobtaineda degreeinSociology.
Herpassionwassocial work,andshewantedacareerinthatfield,butdueto circumstancesofgaining employmentinthatarea,she hadtoseekotherjobs.
Althoughsheappliedto theWelfareDepartment,Lindenbranch,shecouldnot gainemploymenttherebut hopesforapermanentjobin thatfieldwhereshecanput herexpertisetouse.
Clarkestatedthatsheis notgivinguponherdream careerandhasbeenseeking employmentsinceshegraduatedfromUGin2016.
However,between2017 and2021,sheworkedwith theBureauofStatisticsbased inLindenandhadsome part-timeworkwithGuyanaElectionsCommission (GECOM).
“Ineverthoughtofbecominganentrepreneur,but aslifehappened,Ihadto pursueitsinceseekingemploymentischallengingand non-existentinLinden,”she said.
ClarkeisafreelancewriterforINFO10,anonline newsoutfitinLindenoperatedbyalocaljournalist, butsheisstilllookingfor permanentworkinsociology orotherfields.
Sheexplainedthatwitha governmentjob,shewould bepayingcontributionstothe NationalInsuranceScheme (NIS),etc.,andcouldopen abankaccounttogetloans toexpandhersmallbusiness andbuildanetwork.
Ifitfails,sheiswilling tobecomeateachertobe gainfullyemployedfulltimewhilestillmanaging hersmallbusiness.
WorkandlifeinCircuitAreaTimehri
AFEWthingsarebound tocometomindwhen thinkingaboutarace track.Thenoiseof cheers,themanyspeedingcarsandtheexcitementofeverything. However,asmallcommunityofpeoplethink ofhomewhentheythink abouttheracetrack. CircuitArea,Timehri,is acommunityoffriendly, hard-workingpeople whohaveventuredfrom variousplacesaround Guyana.VernonBevanycametoTimehri, fellinlovewithboth thecommunityandthe people,andsimplystated:TalkingtoPepperpotMagazine,Vernon tolduswhetheritwas thecommunity,people, work,orsomethingelse thatkepthimthere.
Peaceandquietare notwordsmostthink aboutwhenthinkingabout theSouthDakotatrack. Butthisisexactlyhow VernonBevanydescribes hishome,justshyofthe famedtrack.Mostdays, thecommunityisalmost silent,withmostpeople goingabouttheirdaily lives.Thiswayoflife isperhapswhatcaptivated Vernononhisfirsttriptothe community.Bornandraised inBeterverwagting(BV)on theEastCoastofDemerara, Vernonventuredintothevillageasayoungmanseeking adventureandemployment. Talkingabouthishome,Vernonsharedthat,“Fromwhat IrememberaboutBV,itwas quitejustlikehereinCircuit [Area].Idonotthinkitis quite[sic]anymore,though” Whilestillateenager,Vernonandthreeofhis friendscametothenewlydevelopedCircuitAreaseeking work.Thegroupfoundwork, andwhilethecommunity wascaptivating,Vernon’s threefriendsreturnedhome,
leavinghimbehind.Vernon sharedhisearlyyearsinthe community:“Atfirst,Icame herewithsomeofmyfriends fromBVwhenwewerestill young.Buttheywentback. TheCircuithadjustplentyof trees,andwedidnothaveas manypeopleaswedotoday. ButIjustlikedtheplace,so Istayed.Ifoundworkhere, gotawife,andhavechildren here.IcamehereinOctober of1995.Istillremember whenIcame.”Hesaid. Whateveritwasthat interestedVernoninthe CircuitArea,itisclearly stillthere.Asheexplained, aftersettlinginthecommunity,headaptedtotheway oflife.Amongthethings helearntwasheavy-duty
machineoperation.Asa skilledoperator,Vernon saysheenjoystheworkhe doesandhasbecomewell knownovertheyears.Furthermore,Vernonshared thathewasneverformally trainedforthejobhedoes today.Ashestated,“Ihave beenoperatingmachines foralongtimenow,.Ineverwenttoschoolforthis. Ijustwatchwhatother operatorswoulddo,pay attention,anddothesame thing.”
Vernon,ahard-workingmanatheart,isamong manyofTimehri’smenwho workoutdoorsandinmanual labour.Vernon,forone,valueshardworkandisdeterminedtocontinueworking,
VernonexitingoneofthemanymachinesheoperatesintheTimehri area(SamuelMaughnPhotos)
althoughheismorethan50 yearsold.Ashestated,“I amalreadypastahalf-century;Iam53-years-old.But IliketheworkIdo,andI amgoingtocontinuedoing it.”Hestated.Althougha passionateworker,Vernon isalsoafamilymanatheart. Asheshared,oneofthe mainreasonshestayedin thecommunitywashiswife. Ashestated,“Icametowork andIdidlikeit,butImeta woman;sheiswhatreally mademestay.”
Sincethen,thecommunityhashadsomebigdevelopments,withthebiggestbeing thedrasticincreaseinpopulation.AccordingtoVernon,
morepeoplehavemadeCircuitAreatheirhomeinrecent times.Thecommunityhas itschallenges,notyetbeing equippedwithelectricityor water.Thepeopleofthecommunityutilisesolarenergy whilevariousinfrastructural worksarehappeninginthe area.Vernon’s‘Circuit’is wherehecallshome,andhe hopestocontinuedoingso forafewyearstocome.As hestated,“Ilikeitherein ‘Circuit.’Idon’tthinkIam goingtomovefromhere. ButIdogobackandvisit myfamilyinBVonsome weekends.ButIdonotthink Iamgoingtomove.”
Thefatherofthreehas
plansforthefutureand hishandsarefullwithhis three-year-olddaughter. Fathertotwoadultchildren,asmallchildnow isanewadventureand challenge.AsVernonstated,“Ihaveathree-yearolddaughternow.Shewill begoingtoschoolinSeptember.”Vernonislike countlesspeoplewhohave hadtheirheartsstolenby quaintcommunitiesmiles awayfromtheirhome.Regardlessofwhatledhimto thevillageofCircuitArea today,Vernonhasmade quiteagoodlifeforhimself bythetrack.
VernonBevany.
Lookingatwhatittakestosettledownsomewherenew
ByShaniyaHarding
WHEN11-year-oldMai Farrierleftherhomein Mabaruma,shewasjustas excitedasshewasscared. Today,the21-year-oldlives withherfamilyinCircuit Area,Timehri.Asmalland peacefulcommunity,the villageisdeemedoneof thebestplacestoraisea family.Miaagrees,asshe spendsmostdaysathome withherone-year-oldJada. Theyoungmothershared herstoryandinteresting journeyfromherhome inMabarumatoTimehri. Alongtheway,shesays therehavebeenchallenges,
neartheVenezuelanborder, hometofewerthan1,000 people,iswhereMiaspent mostofherchildhood.Mia saysthecommunityplayeda bigroleinherlifeandtaught hermostofwhatsheknows today.Miadescribesher homeasquietandrural,not toodifferentfromthevillage shecallshometoday.
Playinganevenlarger rolewasherfamilyof16. Thefamilyof14siblings livedtogetherand,inasimilarfashion,facedtheirproblemstogether.Miaexplains thatherloveforherhome runsdeep,butherfamily facedcountlesschallenges growingup.Talkingabout
butlearningtoacceptand notlookbackaretrulyvitallessonsinlife,andsois lookingforward.
Thefamedtownshipof Mabarumaisconsideredby manytobethecapitalofRegionOne.Acaptivatingplace
hersiblings,shesaid,“Allof ususedtoliveinthesame house;itwasnotbad.That isjusthowwelived;itwas good.”
ThebrightlightsofRosignolwerethefirstthings Miarememberedafterleav-
inghome.Asthefamily continuedtofacehardtimes, theybeganmakingserious sacrificesforthedevelopmentofthechildren.Among thevarioussteps,thefamily wasalsoleavingtheregion. Astheyoungestdaughter, MialeftMabarumawithher oldersisterwhenshewasjust 11.Shesaysleavingtheonly homeshehaseverknown waschallengingandstriking atthesametime.Asshe stated,“LeavingMabaruma washard,butcomingtoRosignolwasabigchange;the firstthingInoticedwashow brighttheplacewas—the lights.”Shespoke.
ThemoveleftanindeliblemarkonMia.Shesays itwasabigchangeandtook alongtimeforhertoget adjusted.Asshestated,“Rosignolisverydifferentfrom whereIgrewup.Ithadalot morepeopleandeverything. ItwasawhilebeforeIgot usedtoallofit.”Shesaid. However,sheadjustedto thechangeandgainedanew appreciationforBerbice. Sincethen,Miahaslivedin afewotherplacesinGuyana, eachonemorenewandmore excitingthanthelast,butCircuitAreaiswhereshebegan afamilyofherown.
Withsomanysiblings, itisnosurprisethatthe Miafamilyhasspreadout throughoutGuyana,starting theirownfamiliesinvarious places.WhenMiacameto visitanothersisterinTimehri,shelikedthecommunity, itspeacefulnatureandits lovingpeople.Afewyears later,Miahasafamilyofher own,includingherone-yearold,Jada.Themotherand daughterspendmostdaysat home,enjoyingtheserenity ofthecommunitywithout race.Asshestated,“Right now,Iamnotworking,and mostdaysitisjustmeand mybabyathomewhenmy husbandleaves.”
Thetriomakesabeautifulfamilyandenjoysliving inthecommunity.Mia’s husband,amachineoperator,findssteadyworkinthe manysandpitsofTimehriand
theLindenarea.Miaexpressesthatthecommunitydoes faceitschallenges.There seemstobeapricetopayfor peace.Miaexplainsthatthe communityishometofewer than100peoplespreadout acrossafewmiles,making beingneighbourlydifficult. Asshestated,“Thevillage issmall;myneighbourslive allthewaydowntheroad.It
couldgetboringsometimes” Miaadmitsthatshe doesmisstheexcitement andlivelinessofother communities,andinmany ways,shemissesherregion. “SinceIleftMabaruma, Ihavenevergoneback. ButIwantto,andmaybeI willsometime,”sheshared. Today,shecallsCircuit Areahome,learningabout
theatmosphereandunderstandingthewayoflife inthecommunity.EverywhereMiahascalledhome, someonehasleftsomething withher.Whetheritisthe whitesandofMabaruma, thehustleandbustleof Rosignol,ortheserenityof “Circuit.”homeiswhere theheartis.
GrowingupinCircuitArea
ATimehriyouthsharesherchallengesandbigambitions
ByShaniyaHarding
CIRCUITArea,Timehriisasmallcommunity coveringjustafewmiles andhousingjustafew dozenhomes.Aquietand tranquilcommunityat heart,thevillageishome tojustafewyoungpeople.Theeasy-goingwayof lifeleavesmuchtobedesiredwhencomparedtothe excitementofplaceslike Soesdyke.Hiddenseveral milesawayfromcentral Timehri,theCircuitArea offerstranquillityaswell. However,theyoungpeople inthecommunitywonderif itoffersopportunities.
CircuitAreaTimehriis oneofthoseplaceswhere peoplesayyoucanhear apindrop.Thepeopleof thissmallcommunityvalue peaceandholditsquietness inhighesteem.However, accordingto23-year-old KimberlyWatson,herchildhoodinthevillagewasrather mundanebutstillenjoyable. Kimberlyisamongthefew peoplewhowerebornand raisedintheCircuitArea. Shesaysthevillageisasit alwayswas—nottoomany peopleorfriendsforher duringherchildhood.Asshe shared,“Igrewupherein theCircuitArea.Thisvillage wasalwaysaquietplace,
evenwhenIwassmall.I remembergoingtoschool andstraightback;therewas notmuchelsetodointhe village.”
However,althoughher childhoodwasprimarily homeandwork,Kimberly saysthereweregoodmomentsthroughouttheyears. Asshestated,“Growingup heresinceIwassmallwas abitboring,butitwasgood too.Ienjoyedmytimeat school.ThatiswhereIhad friends,andtheymadeit fun.”Shesaid.Kimberley attendedanumberofschools overtheyears,andherone regretisnevergraduating highschool.
Journeythrough school
Ouryearsinschoolare amongthemostcrucialand challenging.Asoneofthe fewchildreninthecommunity,Kimberly’schallenges withschoolingbeganvery early,withtransportation beingthebiggest.AsKimberlyexplained,Herearly yearsatTimehriNursery beganalongjourney.As shestated,“Ifirstattended TimehriNursery.Thatwas abitdifficultbecausewe didnothavetransportation atthattime.Soalotoftime,
Iwouldwalkout.”Butshe didnotletthischallenge discourageher.
AfterKimberly’syears inprimaryschool,travelling andthevastnessofGuyana againbecameachallenge whenshewasawardeda placeatDoraSecondary. Althoughagoodschool, DoraSecondaryisseveral milesawayfromKimberly’s Timehrihome.Assheexplained,“WhenIwrotethe NationalGradeSixExam, IwasgivenDora.Ididnot reallyappreciatetheschool becauseofwhereitwas located.Ileftafteramonth ortwoandwenttoSupply Secondary.”Hertimeat SupplySecondarywaswell spent.Thisiswhereshewas mosthappy,learning,and growing.
However,2020wasa roughyearforeveryone. Kimberlywasuprooted whenschoolwasreopened andwasplacedinFriendship Secondary.Sheexplained thatseveralchallenges playedaroleinherdecisiontoleaveschoolinthe fourthgrade.Asshestated, “IdroppedoutbeforeIwrote CXC.Ididnotfeelasthough Iwasready.Aftermoving schools,itwashardtocatch up.”Shesaid.Kimberlysays sheisworkingondeveloping herselftoday.
Amonghermanyother endeavourswascraft.After highschool,Kimberlygot involvedincraftingvarious itemslearningtomakethings likehandtowels,tablecloths, andsoon.Kimberlyexplainedthatthiseffortalso endedprematurely:“Idid notgettograduatefromthe craftingschool.Ilearntalot ofthings.Butbecauseofthe thingshappeningatthattime withmyfamilyandsoon,I couldnotcontinue,”shesaid. Regardlessofthecountless
challenges,Kimberleyintendstogetajobandreturn towork.
Futureendeavours
Gettingajobasa youngpersoncouldbe challengingformany,and evenmoresowithoutthat much-neededexperience. ForyoungadultslikeKimberley,ambitionisasimportantasopportunity. Sheexplainsthatshehas hadafewotherjobs,but manywerelocatedfarbeyondthecommunity.How-
ever,shedoesnotseethis asachallengeandisvery optimisticaboutherfuture andpotentialformore. Andlikesomanyyoung people,Iwouldliketosee morechancestolearnand growinanycapacity.As shestated,“Ihadafew jobsinthepast,butIam lookingforsomethingelse now.Iwouldliketodo somethinginhealthcare.” Despitethechallengesshe hasfaced,Kimberlyisdeterminedtomoveforward.
KimberlyWatson(SamuelMaughnPhoto)
Turningoveranewleaf
ATimehrimothershareswhysheisstartingfresh
ByShaniyaHarding.
TUCKEDbehindthe fast-pacedracesandloud voicesofspectatorsisthe lesser-knowncommunity ofCircuitArea.Although thereissomespeculation surroundingthecommunity’sname,mostresidents refertotheirvillagesimply as‘CircuitArea’,afitting nameforthelittlevillage thatoverlookstheSouth Dakotaracetrack.Among
thedozenorsohomes andlessthanahundredpeopleisBeryl Brown. Bornandraisedon theEastBankofDemerara,Berylsaysher journeytoCircuitArea wasmarkedbyboth goodandbad.Aftercalling CircuitAreahomeformore than20years,Berylsaysshe isonanothermission:getting abrand-newhomeforher andherdaughter’andgiving
thembothafreshstart.
Berylexplainedthat herfirststepoutofAnns Grovecamefromhermother, wholedthefamilytoHyde Park,anothercommunityin Timehri.Sincethen,Beryl saysshehasfalleninlove withTimehriandoptedto haveafamilyofherownin thecommunity.
Assheexplained,“Ileft AnnsGrovewhenIwas15 becauseofmymom.She moveddownheretoHyde Park,andImovedwithher. IlivedinHydePark,and Ijuststayed.Imovedinto theCircuitAreaalongtime ago,atleast23yearsago. Icamehere,andthenmy lastdaughterwasborn.”She
BerylintheshopsherunsatherCircuitAreahome
furtheradded,“WhenIfirst camehere,itwasjustcalm andquiet.”
BerylBrownisavibrant motherandapassionateentrepreneurwithmuchambition.Themotherofthree cametothenewvillageof CircuitArea,asmanypeoplehave,throughmarriage andfamilyties.Growingup inAnnsGroveontheEast CoastofDemerara,Beryl sayslifeatthattimewas vastlydifferent,andtosome extent,itwasvastlybetter.
Asshestated,“IamoriginallyfromAnnsGrove. Growinguptherewasgood. MostofwhatIremember aremysmalldays,playing, andsoon.Themaindifferencebetweenhere,inCircuit Area,andAnnsGroveisthat AnnsGrovewasalotbrighter.Ithasalotmorepeople.”
CircuitAreaandthemajorityofTimehriexudeaquiet,easy-goingatmosphere. Whetheritisthesimplicity ofpeopleinteractingwith eachotherataneighbourhoodshoporthesilenceof theracetrackwithoutarace, CircuitAreaisdefinitelya peacefulplace.Butthispeace
isnotwithoutitschallenges.
Berylexplainsthatthe communityiscurrently workingwithlocallawenforcementtoeradicatethe highnumberofhomeinvasionsthevillagershavebeen victimto.Assheexplained, inrecenttimes,thesituation hasimprovedwiththepresenceofGuyanaarmyranks inthearea.
Anentrepreneur,Beryl runsasmallbusinessather Circuithome.Sheexplains thatthebusinesshasbeen slow.Withverylittletraffic andpassersbyotherthanat theCircuit,Berlysayscustomerscouldbeveryfew andfarbetweensomedays. Moreover,sheexplainedthat thecommunity’spopulation hasseenadrasticdecline.
AsBerylexplains,over theyears,morepeoplehave decidedtoleavethepeace andquietofCircuitArea’and Berylisnodifferentasshe planstomoveaswell.
Formorethantwodecades,Berylhascalledthe CircuitAreahome.Although shelovesthevillage,she wouldliketoacquireahome ofherownandisonajour-
neytodoso.Aftermany yearsoflivingamongfamily membersandrelatives,Berly believesitistimeforherand herdaughtertomovefrom thecommunity. Shesharedthatthejourneytodoingthishasbeen difficult,butshebelievesit isforthebest.Asshestated, “Ilikethecircuitarea,butthe distanceistoomuch.Right now,Iampayingformynew house.Ihavealongwayto go,butIbelieveIamgoing tomakeit.”
Beryl’sbiggestinspirationforowningherhome isher23-year-olddaughter, Kimberly.Anambitious youngwoman,Berylbelievesleavingthecommunitywillgivethefamilymore opportunities.Sheadmits itisnoeasytask,butshe isdeterminedtoturnover anewleaf.Asshestated, “Iwanttogetahousefor meandformydaughter.” Berylislikecountlessothermotherseverywhere, alwaysseekingtocreate betteropportunitiesfor theirchildren,nomatter whatittakes.
BerylBrown(SamuelMaughnPhotos)
SHEstoodatthewater’sedge,hertorndressswirling aroundherlegs,alonefigureshroudedintheshadowsof thenight.Aforebodingsilencehungoverthebeachasthe tamedwindgentlyliftedthedarktressesofhairfalling overherface.Aprettyfaceitwas,streakedwithsandand drytears.
Ayounggirlinpain,alone,atthebeachinthedeadof thenight.
Whathappenedtoher?
Thedeep,hauntinglookinhereyes,theashenface andcolourlesslipstoldastoryofsomethingcold.
Hushedwerethewindandwaterassomethingbad unfoldedthenightbeforeonthesandybeach.Noone heardhercries,herpleasonthedesertedbeachand whentheyweregone,ayoungbodywasleftonthe sand,helplessandbroken.
Sheturnedandwalkedbacktothemangrovetrees, nofootprintsinthesand,forlatethatnightthepainhad ebbedawaylikethetide,andonelastteartrickledfrom hereyesasshetookherlastbreath.
“Howdidthishappen?”shecried,“Theyweremy friends,whomItrustedtotakemehome.”
Herheartbeatnomore,andthecoal-blackeyes shednomoretears,butshewasnotgoingintothelight, notnow.Itwasnothertime.Shedidnothavetodie,not thatway.NotforsomeonewhoreveredGodandhad goodvalues.Shewasaclassicaldancerandateacher, recognisedforhertalentandasaneducator,itwasall wrong,herdeath.
God.
How,then,didevilinterruptherlife?
Noonehadananswer.
Allthemediahousescarriedthestory,andshockrippled throughhercommunityandthenation.Theboyswhohad givenheraridehomewereheldforquestioning,buttheyall statedthattheyknewnothing.
Theirstorywasthatshehadreceivedaphonecallonthe
lygrievingfamily,whojustcouldn’tprocessthefactthatshe wasnomoreintheirlives.
Onthedayofherfuneral,shewentbackhomeinherspiritualformtocomfortherfamilyandtoconfrontherkillers. Theywouldbeinattendance,sheknew,amongstthehuge turnoutofmourners.
Allherfriendswerethere,thosewhoweretrue,whohad regrets.Shesawtheirtears,heardtheirshockedwhispersas prayersandsongseulogizedherlife.Shestoodamongsther family,holdinghermother’sandfather’shands,hugging herbrotherandsister,wipingtheirtears.
Shewassupposedtohaveriddenhomewithhertwo friends,ArunaandPreity,thatnightaftertheculturalprogramme,butalatechangeofplansbythemtogooutwith theirboyfriendscausedhertoridehomeinsteadwithtwo malefriendssheknewverywell.Theothertwoboysshehad metonlyonceataweddingreception,buttheyseemedlike niceguys.Onthewayhome,shehadabottleoffruitdrink, andaslightdrowsinessovercameher,whichshethoughtwas tiredness,butitmusthavebeensomethingelse.Shebecame dazedanddidnotnoticethedetouronthelonelyroadtothe beachthatwouldbedesertedatthathour.
Betrayedbythosewhomasqueradedasfriends.
“Why?Whereismywrong?”werehersoundless,agonisingcries.
Shelookedupattheheavensandcontinuedtocry,“You aremyGod.Ibelievedinyou.WherewereyouwhenIcried forhelp?”
Thebeachwassilentasthelonefiguresatwithherhead bent.Therewasnoplaceintheworldforheranymore.
“Idied,”shemoaned,“Mymotherandfatherhavelost theirlittlegirl.”
Afishermanhaddiscoveredherbodylyingonthesand earlythenextmorning.Shestoodthere,unseeninherspiritual form,watchingasthepolicecordonedofftheareaandcanvassedthesceneforclues.Wordspread,andacrowdgathered, shockedandangrythatsuchahorriblethinghadhappenedto adecentyounggirl.
Shehadwatchedhelplesslyasherfather,shockedbeyond words,sanktohiskneesandbrokedown,cryingashelooked atherlifelessbody.
Hehadlookedupattheheavens,hishandsclasped,his voicebreaking,“Why…whyGod?Why,mylittlegirl?”
Whenthehourshadgottenlatelastnight,andshehadn’t yetcomehome,herphoneturnedoff,andhermotherexperiencedadeepfeelingofdread,herfather,brotherandcousins hadbegunsearchinguntildaylight.
Noonecouldconsoleherfather.Whatshouldshetellher mother,whowaswaitingathomebattlingherfears?
Eventheheavenstrembledthatdayatthemother’scries forthechildshehadbroughtintothisworld,ablessingfrom
wayhomeandaskedthemtostopforsomeoneelsetopick herup.
Sheraisedherheadslowlyandstoodup,lookingatthe heavens,aburningpassionofpainandangerinhervoice,“I willnotcomehome,notuntilIhavedestroyedthemonsters whotookmyhonourandmylife.”
Shestretchedherarmsout,andfromtheabyssofdeath anddarkness,shescreamed,unleashingfuryandagony.
“Icallondarkforcestolendmetheevilpowertodestroy thosespawnedfromevil,andforthat,Iwillgiveyoumy soul.”
Theskyrumbled,thewaterbecamerestless,andthewind howledasshewaitedunder themangrovetrees.
Onenight,twonights passed,thenonthethird morning,justbeforethe breakofdawn,asthehigh tiderushedacrossthesand andthewindwhistledshrilly, fourblackcrowsappeared fromthefarhorizon.She stoodup,hercoal-blackeyes watchingasthecrowsdrew closerandcloserandalightedonthemangrovetrees. Herwaitwasover.
Thedarkabysshadansweredhercalltofightevil withevil.
“Foreachnewday,now,” shevowed,“stoneswill bleed.”
Awakehadbeengoingonatherhome,and friends,familyandpeople fromeverywherehadbeen attendingtoexpresstheir sympathies.Therewasno comfort,though,toherdeep-
Buttheywerenotawareofherpresence.Hermother, though,seemedtosensesomethingandwhispered,“Aryana?”
Thefamilyturnedtolookathermother,andshebroke downcrying,“She’sherewithus.Mybabyishere.”
Thefatherhuggedher,helpinghertostaystrongas thehighlyemotionalservicespaidtributetotheiryoung daughter’slifeandhonouringherdepartedsoultoguide heronherfinaljourney.
AcynicalsmileplayedonAryana’slipsastheviewing began,andshewhispered,“It’sshowtime.”
ArunaandPreityjustcouldn’tstopcrying.Suchwere theirregretsforleavingherthatnight,butthefuryburning inAryanacouldnotforgivethem,soshethrewoutthe freshrosestheybroughtforher.Therewereloudgasps fromthosecloseenoughtoseewhathappened,andthe twofriendssteppedback,scared.Herkillerswerealso approachinghercoffinbearingredroses,andshecalled uponheremissariesofthedarkworld,“It’stime.”
Thesightoftheblackcrows,theirloudcawingandwild flutteringwings,createdafrighteningsceneastheyflewcirclesaroundhercoffin,thenamongthemournerswhoscattered toavoidtheviciousbirds.Thebirdsweregoneasfastasthey came,butleftintheirwakewerefearandshock.Neverhad anythingofthatnaturehappenedatafuneralservice.What couldhavetriggeredsomethingsoominouswastheburning question.
Aryanawatchedherkillershurriedlyleaveandsmiled, coldfuryinhereyes,“It’sjustthebeginning.”
Tobecontinued…
THEpost-Emancipationvillageswereconstructedtofacilitatetheverysystemsthatworkedintheinterestofthe Afro-communitiesfromtheinceptionofslavery,andeach homeandfamilywasentitledtofarmlandstotherearof thevillages.
Thehomesweredesignedwithaccommodationsforlivestockandfruittrees.ThishadbegunwiththeDutchinBerbice.
Thedisputesin1763betweentheCreoleAfricansandthe Africanpopulationsledtomanywhowerenewlybrought intoslaveryandwerethevanguardoftherevolutionaryforces underKofi.TheanalysisoftheCreoleslavepopulationwas rootedinwhethertherevolutionwouldbesuccessfulinmeetingtheaimsandidealsoftherevolutionorwouldfail,sensing thattheywouldallbefightingnotonlytheDutchofBerbice. TherewereentireslavenationsthatwerefriendlytotheDutch intheCaribbeanalso,whichwouldcausethemtolosetheir ownsmallfarmpermissionsandlivelihoodswithinslavery. Theseapprehensionsdidaffectloyaltiesandcausedsubtle divisionswithinthe1763Revolution,butthiswas,however, notthecauseofitsfailure,butthefactthattheanticipatedfoe wasindeedtheentireconfederationofslavenationallies,as foreseen(seeBLOODONTHERIVERbyMarjoleineKars). Thisconflict,specificallywiththepermissionsforallowed farmspace,wouldundoubtedlyinfluencetheplantationcultureofmainlyEnglishplantationsthatemergedafterDemerara wascivilisedbyslavelabourtoaccommodatefacilitatingfood ontheplantations,byandforitsslaveplantationpopulations, hadbecomeafeatureofplantationexistence.
Thus,EuropeansalsobecamepartakersofAfricanfoods fromanearlyage.
However,aftertheabolitionofslavery,andtheslaveshad becomethecolonialsubjectsoftheso-calledMotherCountry, otherchangesemerged.Thepost-slaveryworldwasalsorootedinnewideasandideals.Mostoftheseideasweredirected atthemassechelonsofEuropeandivisionsbetweenthehaves andthehave-notstoentailthenewrealmsoftheindustrialage. Forexample,withtheEuropeanonslaughtandgenocideby somenationsinvolvedintheonslaughtofAfrica.ThefunctionalfacadewasChristianity,civilisationandcommerce,as SirHenryMortonStanleyindicated.“Stanleyestimatedthat ifeveryAfricanintheCongoboughtoneSundaydressand foureverydaydresses,itwouldrequire3,840millionyardsof ManchesterCotton.worth16millionpounds.Andthisdidnot includetheclothforwindingsheets.”-see‘THESCRAMBLE FORAFRICA-byThomasPakenham’
This“functionalfaçade”alsoappliedtotheolderColonies oftheCaribbean.Butwiththeargumentsofthesocialbalance ofsocietynowwithintensedebate,withmindslikeKarlMarx amongothers,thevillagefarmscameundernewassault,“The villagesoftheColonyofBritishGuianaatoncecameunder scrutinyandcriticism.IntheLondonTimes,thecooperative villagesystemwasattackedandlabelled;theywerecalled, “littlebandsofsocialistslivingincommunities”Underthe combinedattackoftheplantationandthegovernmentfrom outside,andthechurchfrominside,thecollectiveVillage economycollapsed.SeeSCARSOFBONDAGEbyEusi KwayanaandTchaikoKwayanafromFreePress.
TheFarmer’sAssociationwasstartedatMarain Berbicein1898andquicklyspreadtoDemeraraand Essequibo.AttheVictoria-BelfieldHorticulturalandIndustrialShowin1898,theChairmanwenttoextremesto explainthattheexhibitionwasnotpromotedbythesugar plantationownersandwasthusaprojectoftheirown resilience.TheVillagemovementremainsafoundationof modernGuyana.
THIScolumnwillagaintouchonMangrovesbecauseofits importancehistorically,sociallyandeconomically.
WhentheDutchcolonisersfirstvisitedGuyanainthe 17thcentury,theyobservedthatMangrovesweregrowing alongtheentirecoast,insomepartssothickthattheycould beconsideredmangroveforests.
TheDutchfirstsettledonthecoastandutilisedthemangroveasaconvenientandeasysourceofwoodforhouse building,firesforcooking,andevenformakingboatsand rafts.Onlywhentheyhadcutdownlargestretchesofmangroveandtheseahadbeguntocomeuponthelanddidthey understandtheimportanceofmangrovesasaneffective defenceagainsttheseaandflooding.Theyhelduptotheir mangrovedepletion,andtoavoidthethreatofconstantflood-
ing,theybegantomovetheirsettlementstotheriverbanks towardstheendofthe18thcentury.In1815,whenEssequibo, Demerara,andBerbicefinallycededtoBritain,theywere unitedin1831toformthecolonyofBritishGuiana.
TheBritishdevelopedtheircolonymuchfasterthanthe Dutch.LiketheDutch,theyempolderedtheiragriculturallandandbuiltseadefences,butitwasonlyinthe20th century,withthegrowthofEcologicalStudiesandadeeper understandingoftheenvironment,thatthefullimportanceof mangrovescametobegrasped.
TheUnitedNationsrecognisedtheimportanceof mangrovesbydeclaringaMangroveDayeachyearwitha relevantmotto.Inthisyear2024,themottois“Mangroves matter.SafeguardingourCoastalGuardiansfortomorrow”.
Thoughthismottoidentifiesthemostimportantfunctionof mangroves,thatistoguardagainstthefloodingbythesea andtidalwavesandmakethesoillessfertilewhenitwould havebeenimpregnatedwithsalt;otherpositivesemanate frommangroves.
Mangrovesprovideahomeforbeesaswellasfeeding groundssincealargenumberoffloweringplantsgrowamong themangroves.Whenhivesareestablishedinthevicinity, theyprovidebountifulhoneysupplies.Consumersmuch valuemangrovehoney.
MangrovesareacarbonsinkandenhanceGuyana’sefforts againstclimatechange.Theyprovidealivelihoodformany coastalcommunities,onefoodresourcebeingthevarietiesof fishthatliveamongthemangroves.Theyareanecotourism attractionwiththerichbiodiversitythatmangroveforests offer,andtheGuyanaTourismAuthorityandtheMinistryof Agriculturearecooperatinginthisdevelopment.Mangrove restorationandpreservationsupportseveralsustainabledevelopmentgoals(SDGs),tothedegreethatGuyanaisseriously committedtoachievingthem.
AttherecentfunctionofunveilingtheplaqueattheKingstonSeawallEsplanadeincommemorationofInternational MangroveDay2024,theMinisterofAgriculturesummarised theimportanceandimpactofMangroves:“Mangrovesare ourcoastalguardians,vitaltoGuyana’senvironmentaland economichealth”,hesaid,“theyactasnaturalbarriersagainst coastalerosionandsurges,protectingourcommunitiesand infrastructure.Withover23,000hectaresofMangroves,they supportfisheries,livelihoods,andfoodsecurityandprovide habitatsfordiversewildlife…Mangrovesareimportantin sequesteringcarbon,enhancingeffortsagainstclimatechange asoutlinedinGuyana’sLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy 2030”.
TheStatehasdevelopeda10-yearNationalMangrove ActionPlanandanInter-AgencyCommitteededicated topromotingsustainableMangrovemanagement,and over500hectaresofmangrovehavebeenrestored.Since 2010,over$1.9billionhasbeeninvestedinmangrove preservationandrestoration,andregularinjectionsof moneyareexpectedtobemadeasrequired.Forexample, $275millionhasbeenallocatedthisyeartorehabilitation initiativesinRegionsTwoandFive.
GREENspaces,accordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization,are‘allurbanlandcoveredbyvegetationofany kind’.Thisincludesstreettrees,gardens,parks,landscapingaroundbuildings,sportsfields,flowerbeds,ponds,green entry-ways,greenroofs,individualplants,andmore.Green spacesprovidelong-termfinancialbenefitsaswellassocial andenvironmentalgains.
Greenspacescanpositivelyaffecthumans’physicalhealth. Vegetationremoveschemicalsandfiltersparticulatematter, nitrogendioxide,sulfurdioxide,andcarbonmonoxidefrom theair.Noisepollution,whichcanharmpeoples’general well-beingbycausingstress,isreducedthroughgreenspaces.
Plantsdeflectsound,whichmaypromoterelaxationfornearby residents.Otherbenefitstophysicalhealthcanbecreatedby beinginit,beingnearby,orviewingnature.
Incities,natureprovidescoolingshadetoneighbourhood streets,asafeharbourforpollinators,andrainwaterabsorption toreduceflooding.It’swidelyunderstoodthatphysicalactivity improveshumanhealth,buthowparks,lakes,trees,andother urbangreenspacesboostphysicalactivityandoverallwell-beingisanunsolvedpieceofthepuzzle.
Asourworldbecomesmoreurbanisedandcity-centric, easilyaccessingoutdoornaturalspacesbecomesincreasingly challenging,especiallyforoverburdenedcommunities.
Inastudyofhospitalpatients,thoseassignedtoawindow withaviewoftreesneededlesspainmedication,healedfaster, andweredischargedmorequicklythanthosewithoutwindows orthosewhoonlyhadaviewofabrickwall.
Benefits
Buildingnatureintocitiescansupportoverallhealthandhumanwell-being,positivelyimpactingmental andphysicalhealth.
WHENyouaredefiningtheterm“abuse”,doyouever considerfinancialabuseinthosedefinitions?Often,when Ilistentopeoplediscussabuse,Irarelyeverhearthem mentionthecategoryoffinancialabuse.Thatcanbefor alotofdifferentreasons.Perhapspeopleareunfamiliar thatapersoncanbefinanciallyabused,ortheysimplydo notacceptthisasatypeofabuse.Whateverthereason maybe,therearemanystudiesandstatisticstoprovethat peopleallacrosstheworldarebeingfinanciallyabused. Forme,thefirstthingthatcomestomindiswhenthe elderlyhavetheir moneyorassetstakenawayfromthem withouttheirconsent.Aswithmost casesofabuse,financialabusealso entailsastruggleor imbalanceofpower.
Financialabuse canbeovertorvery unnoticeable.Itisa formoffamilyviolence.Universally,I donotthinkenough peoplespeakabout thedamagingeffects financialabusehas onthevictims.This isquiteapowerful methodthatisused to“trap”victimsby makingthemstayinanabusiverelationship.Studieshave shownthatin99%ofthedomesticviolencecasesthatoccur, financialabuseisalsopresent.Contrarytothebeliefthatonly impoverishedpeoplecanbevictimsoffinancialabuse,this formofabusedoesnotonlyaffectaspecifictargetpopulation.Inmostcases,financialabuseoccursinromanticrelationshipswhereanabusivepartnerrestrictsandlimitstheir partner’saccessorabilitytospendmoney.The“allowances” willbefewerandfewerasmonthsgoby,andthevictimis oftenforbiddenfrombeingemployed.
Theabusermayusemanipulation,feartacticsoreven physicalabusetoforcetheseideologiesontothevictimifthey donotcomply.Somecasesareoftensoextremethateven accesstopurchasefoodorvisitadoctorisaffected.Most times,victimsareunabletoleavetheseabusiverelationships becauseoftheirlackoffinances,assetsoreveneducationon financialindependenceandliteracy.Mosttimes,whenvictimsleavetheirhomesthey’reeitherforcedintoashelteror theyreturntotheirabusivepartnerwherehomelessnessisnot aconcern.Thisisakeyissuethatneedsfurtherattentionon alllevels.Moneygivesoneasenseofsecurityandstability. Abusersuseitasatactictocontrolvictims.Ifvictimsdon’t abidebyorobeythem,theylosethatsenseofsecurityor stabilitybyreceivinglimitedornomoney.
Thiscreatesanunhealthydependency.Financialabuse mayalsocomeintheformofleavingpeopleindebtunknowingly,stealingthevictim’sproperty,falseinsurance claims,evadingchildsupportorrefusingtopaybills.It isnotblackandwhite.Therearemanywaysthatpeople canbecomevictimsoffinancialabuse.Assuch,Iam pleadingwithyoualltoconsiderspreadingawarenessof whatfinancialabuseisandletvictimsrealisethattheyare indeedvictims.Moneyisusedasapowerfultoolofcontrol andoppression,andIhopethatfinancialabuseinallofits formsisaddressedeffectivelyandefficientlyatalllevels.
Treesdecrease stormwaterrunoff, preventingfloodingandsoilerosion. Theyalsoprovide valuablehabitatssupportingbiodiversity ininsects,birds,other animals,andmicroorganisms.
Havingaccess togreenspaceshas manypsychological benefits.Research showsthattimein naturecanhelplower yourstress,reduce youranxiety,lessen yourdepression,ease
yourmooddisorder,lower ratesofsubstanceabuse, improveyourconcentrationandfocus,increase yourfeelingsofcalm,and rechargeyouemotionally.
Sustainability
Fromtheplanningaspects,urbangreenspaces includebusiness,retail, leisuredevelopment,tourismdevelopment,employmentcentresbesidesresidentialareas,andthegood planningofurbangreen spacescanplayaroleas avisualscreen,aplacefor
commutingandrecreation byprovidingwell-designed networkswithintheparkand withtheotherareas.
Ideasforcreatingsustainablegreenspacesinclude thecreationofpublicparks, mini-forests,accessiblecity
gardens,flowergardens,and facilitatingan‘awareness’ day.
Youcanshareyourideas andquestionsbysending lettersto:“OurEarth,Our Environment”,C/OCommunicationsDepartment,
EnvironmentalProtection Agency,GangesStreet,Sophia,GEORGETOWN, oremailusat:communications@epaguyana.org. FollowusonFacebookand Instagramandsubscribeto ourYouTubechannel.
FROM PAGEXIX
FROM PAGEXII
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearfriend. Sometimesyoureceiveguidancetoreachadetailed comprehensionofthetext throughcompletingadia-
gram(textrelatingtodocument). Youreceiveamap,nottorelate toitfreely(likelookingatamere illustration),buttodoaspecific activity.Youworkwithseveral givenwordsfromwithinthetext thatdescribeplacesandrelatethem topartsofthemap.Thisaccuracy activityrequiresthereadertocloselyscrutinisethepassage.Bewise.
Loveyou.
IMPROVINGWRITING
Writingalovingstory
a)Howstoriesgetwritten!
Friends,whatmakesyouwant tocontinuereadingsomethingyou havestartedreading?Canyou describehowtheauthorcaptured yourinterest?Howdidheset aboutdoingittoyou,hisreader? Whycansomepeopleconstantly writegoodstoriesandothersjust simplycannot?
b)Observegoodstorytellers! Howdidawritereverthink aboutarunningvinethatbearsall alakesideofsemipreciousstones? Maybeonestudypartnerwould say,“Heputhisimaginationinto gear.”Maybeanotherwouldsay, “Helethisimaginationrunwild” Whateveristhetrajectory,agood, readable,andmuchlikedstory resulted.
You,youngwriters,cansoon becomeinterestingauthorswhen anearnestpentouchespaperand thereisnostoppinguntilthestory istold.
c)Getonwithyourconsistent writing! Therearekindsofexperiences,placesandpeopleyouhaveantplaceinyourmind.Buthave especiallythepeopleandplaces? Whatcanyousayabouttheir importancetoengagereadership? Thinkcarefullybeforeyoutell yourstudypartners.
d)Getonwithyourwide reading!
Herearesomepeople,importantenoughtobewrittenaboutby theirwriters.Youmighthavealreadymettheminyourwidereadingofstories.Noticethesecuesas youread:theuseoflanguage,the wordskills,theera,andthebuildupofmindpictures.
WhattoDo Observehoweachcharacteris putagainsttheothertocreateconthetwopiecessetoutbelow.
1....andhisonlyalternativeto escapefromthelabourofthefarm andtheclamourofhiswife,wasto takeaguninhand,andstrollaway intothewoods.Herehewould
sometimesseathimselfatthefootofatreeandshare thecontentsofhiswalletwithWolf,withwhom “PoorWolf,”hewouldsay,“thymistressleadsthee adog’slifeofit;butnevermind,mylad,whilstI live,thoushaltneverwantafriendtostandbythee!” Whatdoyoucallthiskindofguy?Canyouplay onhischaracteristicsforalivelystory?Doit.Ithink youcanifyoumineyourthoughtshardenough. ears,large,green,glassyeyes,andalong,snipnose, sothatitlookedlikeaweathercockpercheduponhis spindlenecktotellwhichwaythewindblew.Tosee
mighthavemistakenhimforthegeniusofFamine descendingupontheearthorsomescarecroweloped
Whoisthisodd-lookingcreature?Whatphenomenonisbeingdescribed?Areyounoticingcluesto latchontoforyourgoodstory?Doone.
GRAMMARPRACTICE
Usesofthefullstoppunctuation
Note:Afullstop,alsoknownasaperiod,is theendofdeclarativesentences(sentencesthatmake astatementorstatesafact)andimperativesentences (sentencesusedtoexpresscommands/ordersorrequestsandalsotogiveinstructionsorsomeadvice). Imperativesentencesdonotrequireasubject.
Afullstopmarksalongerpausethanacomma andasemicolon.Furthermore,itmarkstheendofa thoughtandthebeginningofanother.
SomethingtoDo
Putthenecessaryfullstopsinthefollowingsentences.Sometimesthefullstophasbeenleftout; sometimesacommahasbeenputwhereafullstopis reallyneeded.Seetheexamplebelow.
AfterIhadknockedawaysomebricks,Imanaged togetthroughtheholethesightthatmetmyeyes startledme
AfterIhadknockedawaysomebricks,Imanaged togetthroughthehole.Thesightthatmetmyeyes startledme.
a)WhenMr.Richardscameouttobreakfasthe toldhiswifeVeronicathathewasgoingtomakea shorttripinhisnewcarthetripstartedatteno’clock b)Reporttothecaptainheexpectsyou
andthevehiclebegantolosespeedrapidly READING:Contextclues
HurricaneCharley,acategoryfourstormwith windsupto145milesperhour,movedinfromthe GulfofMexicoandstrucksouthwestFloridaon August13,2004.Beforeithit,newscasterswarned residentsthattheformidablestormwasapproaching. Peoplewholivedincertainareashadtoevacuateto besafe.ThehurricanemadelandfallatFortMyers, asouthwestFloridacity,andthentrackedacrossthe state.Then,thehurricanemovedoutintotheAtlantic andnorthwardalongtheeastcoast.
1.Whatdoes“formidable”mean?
A)forthcomingB)disturbingC)powerfulD) tropical
2.Allthecontextclueshelpyoudeterminethe meaningof“formidable”except
A)residentshadtoevacuatetobesafeB)145 mphwinds
C)thedirectionofthestormwasnortheastD) newscastersissuingawarningtoresidents
DentaltreatmentandMedicaldisease
PEOPLEmustbeawareoftheimportanceofdentists knowingtheirmedicalhistory(forexample,diabetes andheartdisease)todeterminewhetherthepatientis
Thehealthandlifeexpectancyinmanycountries areincreasing,mainlybecauseofimprovedsocialconditions,preventativemedicine,theimprovedabilityto treatthemainkillingdiseases–myocardialinfarction (heartattack),cerebrovascularaccidents(stroke)and improvementsinthemedicalcareofhithertofataldis-
thougheveryoneshouldbequestionedontheirmedical history,theelderly,handicappedandthehospitalised shouldbeespeciallymedicallyassessedbeforedental
Theprimaryreasonitissoessentialformedical assessmenttobedoneonapatientseekingmedical treatmentisthatmanydentalprocedurescannegatively impactpatients’wellbeingwhencertainmedicalcondipatienttosueadentistformalpracticeorprofessional negligence,dentistsgenerallydisregardtheirdutyto isthatGuyanesedentalpatientsarenotaccustomed tohavingtheirdentistrequesthearttests,bloodand themselvesshoulddotheirownscreeningfortheirown goodorvoluntarilysubmitinformationontheirgeneral