Digging Up New Skills
Single mother and operator breaks new ground in a male-dominated field
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Venita is among several young women happy and proud to be a part of the growing field of machine operation (Samuel Maughn photo)
Karasabai
Home of the Sun-Kissed Parakeet nestled at the foothills of scenic mountains
By Michel Outridge
DAVID Albert became the Toshao of Karasabai Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) six months ago. Since then, he has done a lot to improve the lives of the locals by implementing community-based projects to create employment within the community.
Karasabai is called the home of the sun-kissed parakeet, a golden bird that was nearly extinct due to trapping. Today, measures have been put in place to allow these birds to remain free in their natural habitat. It is one of the natural
wonders of this remote village, attracting visitors eager to see these birds that emerge in the mornings and evenings to the delight of residents.
Karasabai is a Macushi word. The village was named by the foreparents of the current locals, who were the first settlers in the area. Decades ago, they journeyed mostly from Region One (Barima-Waini) in search of a better life and settled in this community.
Toshao Albert told Pep-
perpot Magazine that the village was founded by the first settlers who came from Region One via canoes with paddles. It was a long trip to Karasabai, but they eventually founded the community. Families such as the Rodrigueses and the Atkinsons have descendants still residing there.
Albert reported that the population of Karasabai is
eral facilities, including an administrative centre, a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building, a sub-district hospital that was recently upgraded, a regional guest house, a police station, an Amerindian hostel, a government building with self-contained apartments, a school that houses both nursery and
tence farming and livestock rearing.
The village plans to embark on a farming project, establishing a village farm and a shade house with a sustainable drainage and irrigation system. This initiative, funded by their $35 million carbon credit allocation, aims to provide
1,498, comprising mainly people of Amerindian descent, descendants of the first settlers and their families.
The village has sev -
primary sections, and a new secondary school under construction, expected to be completed by July of this year.
The Toshao stated that Karasabai Village also has an airstrip. The village is ranked number one among ten local travel destinations in the country due to its location, nature, and stunning landscape nestled among the mountains.
He disclosed that a few houses were damaged when the community was hit by high winds last year. Men on a Mission (MOM) visited and assisted with rebuilding five houses.
Albert told Pepperpot Magazine that the main economic activities in Karasabai include subsis -
steady employment for residents.
Albert added that they plan to construct a resource centre for skills training to empower young people and provide them with gainful employment. Meanwhile, others with Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) qualifications work with Community Service Officers (CSO), the RDC, and as teachers.
The Toshao also revealed plans to establish a new ICT hub, funded by the Office of the Prime Minister, specifically for educational purposes. This will benefit schoolchildren and those enrolled in the GOAL online scholarship programme.
The village currently has a library at the Karasabai Primary School, provided by the Ministry of Education, to promote reading among locals and schoolchildren.
Toshao Albert highlighted that their main focus for improving the lives of residents is on ag-
Toshao David Albert
Karasabai Village
Digging Up New Skills
Single mother and operator breaks new ground in a male-dominated field
By Shaniya Harding
GUYANA’S success has reached the global stage. However, at the very root of international change are the small developments in the everyday lives of Guyanese people. Venita Chatergoon is breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry as a female heavy-duty machine operator. With a passion for her career and a drive to empower others, she has not only overcome the challenges of working in a masculine field but has also become a source of inspiration for her community. As a single mother and a trailblazer in the agricultural and construction sec-
tors, Venita is proving that women can thrive in roles traditionally held by men while also giving back to her community in ways she never imagined possible.
In No. 5 Village, machine operation is a popular job in the region, but it is dominated by men. Since 2023, however, Venita has been one of the region’s newest operators. Now, almost two years later, she is among the most skilled in the Mahaica-Mahaicony region, doing impactful work to help develop and safeguard agriculture. Venita was one of the many young men and women trained under the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training in collaboration with the Mahaica-Maha -
icony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority.
Although she is still new to the field, Venita says that learning machine operation has opened new doors and given rise to new opportunities. As she shares, “I started working in machine operation in 2023, on the 1st of February. I did training, and then I applied and got a job, and to this day, I'm still employed.” Her passion for the job, however, runs deeper than just employment; it is a career she is fully dedicated to. “This isn't just a job for me; it's like a career choice,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine.
The first step into this new role came with ner-
vousness, especially as one of the first females to join a traditionally male training programme. “We were the first batch of female operators to be trained in heavy-duty machine operation.” She further added, “It was a big nervous moment in my life.” Despite the nervousness, she quickly found support and strength in her colleagues. “We had fun while learning with other operators during onthe-job training. We learned to drive trucks, tractors, excavators, you name it," she said.
A major milestone for Venita came when she got her first real-life experience on an excavator through the Ministry of Agriculture, which she describes as a deeply emotional moment. “After the minister gave us our excavator last year, I was ecstatic to the point that I was crying,” she recalls. This event marked the moment when she could finally apply her training to real-world tasks. “It gave me a chance to put the skills that I was taught to good use,” she stated, noting that the work she does benefits both her family and community. “I'm helping my community in a way that I didn't think I could have done.”
Venita says that she faces challenges as a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry. But she has found support and encouragement from her fellow trainees, many of whom are young men. “The same males are the ones encouraging you to go into it as a female. Because it brings a light to the 21st century. We're not back in the old age. This is a new millennium. Women can do it," she stated. Venita champions the idea that women are more than capable of succeeding in roles traditionally reserved for men, further adding, “You can do it. It doesn’t matter whether you're female or male.”
Balancing the demands
of her career with being a single mother has not been easy, but Venita embraces the challenge. "Being a single mom and a female in a male-dominated field can be tough. You have to cater to the needs of being at
home and doing family duties while being in the field, acting and moving like a man,” she shared. Yet, she encourages women to never compare themselves to men. "Don’t ever evaluate yourself and compare yourself with men. We can’t be like them.” She added, “We have to find our strength within ourselves."
the country itself. And if we don't fulfil that part, then we're definitely not going anywhere.”
Looking to the future, Venita is determined to continue growing in her career and help other women break into the field. “I want to sharpen my skills more,” she says. She further added, “I would have loved to come out from the mini excavator to the bigger ones to start working.” Beyond that, she’s eager to help other women follow in her footsteps. “I want to be able to, if possible, assist more females who want to come out. And if I could help train them or whatever, possibly if I could give back the same way I was given, I would do that."
Venita also champions the importance of giving back to the community, something she is committed to through her work. Although she is just one of many machine operators in the Mahaica-Mahaicony region, Venita plays a major role in supporting the region’s agricultural sector. “For me, the fact that I am able to maintain those areas, have them clean, make sure that people can go to their farms, the water is regularly maintained, and drainage is maintained for the water to flow properly for them to get to have their crops maintained,” she further explains, “We have a major role for every community in the city and
Single mother and heavy-duty machine operator Venita Chatergoon (Samuel Maughn photo)
Venita is among several young women happy and proud to be a part of the growing field of machine operation (Samuel Maughn photo)
Distinguished Guyanese conferred with Order of Ontario
- Says he’s proud to have been born and raised
By Frederick Halley
GUYANA-born Winston Kassim, a retired Executive Officer at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), has been conferred with the Order of Ontario, one of 29 recent appointments announced by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario.
This prestigious recognition of Kassim’s community service builds on previous awards in 2009 and 2012 and acknowledges more than four decades of helping those in need and supporting humanitarian causes in over 25 countries, including Canada. Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, was among the hundreds of Guyanese at home and abroad congratulating Kassim on his latest accolade.
In 2009, Kassim became the first Canadian of Guyanese heritage to be made a member of the Order of Canada, one of the nation’s highest civilian awards, for advocating on behalf of ethnic communities and humanitarian causes at local, national, and international levels. His community service was further recognised in 2012 when he was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteerism.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, "The 2024 appointees to the Order of Ontario have enriched the lives of countless people in our province and well beyond. Together, they have attained the highest level of excellence in many fields, and may we all be inspired by their remarkable contributions.”
The Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce,
which Kassim currently serves as co-chair, also paid homage as its current Managing Director, Fareed Amin, pointed out that “Winston’s volunteer work has positively impacted countless people in Guyana, Canada, Africa, and Asia, brought thousands of people from different religions and backgrounds together, and touched the lives of millions.”
Dr Budhendranauth Doobay, founder of the Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha Inc., founder of Vishnu Mandir, and founder of the Canadian Museum of Indian Civilisation (CMIC), as well as a former recipient of the Orders of Canada and Ontario, remarked, “Winston Kassim played instrumental roles in helping establish the Canadian Museum of Indian Civilisation in Toronto, raising funds to establish the Doobay Gafoor Medical Centre and Research Centre in Georgetown, supporting the growth and development of various community organisations across Canada, and much more.”
Since arriving in Canada more than four decades ago, Kassim has made outstanding contri-
in Albouystown
field and whose impact has left a legacy in the province, in Canada, and around the world. Members of the Order are a collective of Ontario’s finest citizens selected from a provincial population of 16 million people, whose contributions have shaped—and continue to shape—the province’s history and place in Canada.
The Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce was established in 2020 to strengthen trade and investment opportuni -
butions to philanthropy, community service, and international relations. By sharing his expertise in governance, strategic performance management, and sustainability, acquired during his tenure at RBC, Kassim has helped many organisations, including the Sunatul Jamaat of Ontario, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Malton Islamic Centre, International Development Relief Foundation (IDRF), Canadian Museum of Indian Civilisation, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, and the International Business University in Toronto. He has also mobilised and led fundraising efforts to support recovery and development initiatives worldwide.
In 2020, Kassim played a key role in establishing the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, a bi-national organisation that promotes trade and investment between Canada and Guyana.
The Order of Ontario was created in 1986 and is the province’s highest civilian honour. It is awarded to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their
rick’s Anglican School.
During his teen years, he lived in Duke Street, Kingston, and attended Indian Education Trust College in Georgetown. While still a teenager, he began his professional career at Barclays Bank in Kitty.
Kassim emanates from a respected family. His father retired from the Guyana Police Force in 1972 as a Superintendent after a distinguished 30-year career, while his eldest brother, Sultan Feroze Kassim, retired
die. While raising a family in Toronto and pursuing a university degree at night, Winston embarked on a career with RBC in 1976.
Over the next 40 years, Kassim excelled in numerous leadership roles at RBC, including as the Executive Head of Strategy and Strategic Performance Management for Retail Banking in Canada and the Caribbean.
In this latter role, Kassim led large strategic initiatives and helped
ties between Canada and Guyana. The Chamber, which is a non-partisan entity, is chaired by Ms Patricia Bacchus (Guyana), with Kassim (Canada) serving as Co-Chair. Kassim, the sixth of seven children, told the Sunday Pepperpot that he was proud to be born and raised in Albouystown, Georgetown, and also in Adelphi Village, Correntyne, Berbice, to the late Police Superintendent Subaydar Kassim and the late Noorun Nisa Kassim, before moving to East Canje, Berbice, where he attended St Pat-
as Deputy Commissioner of Police in 2001 after 38 years of service. Another brother, the late Dr Sultan Farook Kassim, served for over 25 years in the public hospitals of Suddie, Port Mourant, and Georgetown. His maternal grandfather, Imam Khoda Baksh, was also credited as the first Imam at the Adelphi Masjid in the early 1900s.
Following various postings throughout the Caribbean, Kassim left Barclays in 1975 and moved to Canada with his wife, Kameni Ched-
RBC set industry-leading benchmarks for performance, contributing to the bank winning four prestigious international awards, including “Best North American Retail Bank” in 2012 and 2013, and “Best Retail Bank in the World” in 2014 and 2015. These marked the first time in the 30year history of the UKbased Retail Banker International Awards that any bank had won “Best Global Retail Bank” in consecutive years.
While at RBC, Kassim also obtained his
Winston Kassim
Winston and wife Kameni of 50 years
For the Greater Good: Religious leader committed to helping others in his community
PASTOR Ram Angad
saw a need in his community, and, through the Kaneville New Testament Baptist Church, he initiated a feeding programme, particularly for children in the village, on Sundays.
He reported that he felt compelled to act and started the feeding programme at the
alone gets up at 3:00 am on Sunday mornings to prepare meals for the church service using the small kitchen in their home.
The religious leader told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have no external financial support. The money collected during Sunday services is used to purchase food
feeding programme on Sundays in Kaneville. Whatever is contributed—whether groceries, human resources, or financial assistance— it will be put to good use,” he said.
Pastor Angad stated that the children are especially happy when they come to church on Sundays, as they receive a warm meal.
church two Sundays ago. With his wife, Onika Angad, by his side, he was able to make it happen.
It was a success. On the first Sunday, 121 people showed up, including about 70 children from Kaneville Village itself. This was all Pastor Angad needed to continue the feeding programme. He stated that his wife
items for the meals. Additionally, they contribute from their own pockets, which has strained them financially. Despite this, they are committed to continuing the programme due to the great need for it.
“We are hoping for partnerships from the business community or other donors to help sustain the church
Two buses are used to transport them to and from the Kaneville New Testament Baptist Church, specifically for Sunday services.
He disclosed that they have sufficient land space at the church, which is located on a double lot. They hope to construct a kitchen there to accommodate the feeding programme, as the
space in their home is limited.
“With a kitchen at the church building located at 621622 M Macaw Drive, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, members can volunteer to prepare meals for Sunday services,” he explained.
Pastor Angad added that the church prem-
ises are used not only for fellowship but also for community service. For instance, the church recently facilitated the registration for the government cash grant, with thousands of people passing through its doors.
“At the church, we aim to serve people and the community as needed,” he said.
The pastor said that he is committed to continuing to do what is morally good for the community. The church has established good relations with locals and is always open to assisting in any way possible.
As pastor of the
TURN TO PAGE X
Pastor Ram Angad and his wife, Onika
Pastor of the Kaneville New Testament Baptist Church, Ram Angad, at the hot meal distribution on Sundays for children
The Theatre Experience
Gem Madhoo-Nascimento shares her experience from backstage to centre stage and now theatre production
The lights and sounds of theatre have captivated people for years, and in Guyana, it has been a way of telling Guyana’s vibrant stories. But there is more to theatre than what we see on stage. While actors bring stories to life with expressions and emotions, there is much more happening backstage before we see the magic.
One of the people who works behind the scenes to bring the theatre to life is Gem Madhoo-Nascimento. As a prolific producer and businesswoman, Gem has been the driving force behind some of Guyana’s most notable plays, uniting the talents of playwrights and actors. Her most recent venture is a series of plays she has coined “edutainment.”
From Whence We Came: The Chinese Experience kicked off this weekend at the Guyana National Cultural Centre. This bold, creative production explores the story of one of Guyana’s many peoples, retelling the history of the Chinese in Guyana. The production began Saturday and will run up until Monday at the National Cultural Centre. It is said to be the first in a series of shows Gem aims to produce, each telling the story of Guyana’s different peoples, how they came here, and the roles they played in creating our beautiful melting pot of culture and tradition. As the world of theatre awaits the other productions, Gem tells the Pepperpot Magazine
just how much work is done before a story is brought to life.
Gem is considered by many as a stalwart of theatre and drama in Guyana—and rightfully so. Born and raised in the Corentyne, Gem’s first step into the world of theatre came when she left her corporate job in search of something different more than five decades ago.
“I started theatre in 1973. I started with a PSU drama group. At the time, I was working at the Co-op Bank, and I wanted something recreational to take up my time in the afternoons on the days we didn’t work late. So, I joined the PSU drama group,” she said.
Gem’s first role in the world of theatre was backstage, putting together what people would eventually see on stage. But the limelight soon found her when she was asked to perform. “I wanted to work backstage, you know, like doing props and costumes and all that. But the next thing I know, Francis Faria— who was head of the group at the time—ended up putting me on stage,” she stated. Since then, Gem has gone on to produce a number of musicals, classical shows, and dramas, achieving some 300 productions on stage and on television.
Over her illustrious career, Gem has received numerous accolades. These include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ministry of Culture under the Creative Industries
in 2014, recognising her significant contributions to theatre in Guyana. In 2007, she was honoured with the
her achievements in establishing theatre as a viable business. She has also been recognised by the Folk Festival for
formance debut, Gem collaborated with some of Guyana’s leading drama and theatre professionals to form a
nity to make a change.
“At the time, many people were leaving the shores of Guyana to go overseas to seek a better life. Salaries were very low in this country, so many people were not surviving on one salary,” she explained.
“Throughout the Caribbean, actors and theatre persons were being compensated financially for their work in the theatre, whereas in Guyana, this was not happening. We were all volunteering ourselves and what we did,” she said.
Although it is the norm today, when actors were first paid in Guyana, it created a major shift in the art form. It gave birth to a new age of talented and ambitious performers who finally saw acting as a job. “We came up with the idea, the concept: why don’t we start going professional in this country?” she explained. “We formalised paying actors by creating legal contracts and started paying them a fee. But not only actors—once you worked in a production, you were compensated. That’s since 1981.”
Theatre in Guyana
Women of Distinction Award by the YWCA for her impactful work. Most recently, in 2024, she received the Women in Business Award from the Guyana Chamber of Commerce, celebrating
her contributions to the arts, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the creative industry.
Making theatre a business
Soon after her per-
new theatre company in 1981. Although theatre was thriving within the Caribbean, the field in Guyana was different— actors were not being paid. This is where Gem saw an opportu -
One of Gem’s most notable productions has been The Link Show. Guyana has seen this annual show for more than 30 years, and it has become a household name and one of the country’s most successful productions. “We launched the company with The Link Show. You must have heard of The Link Show. Up
Producer, businesswoman and founder of GEM’S Theater Production, Gem Madhoo Nascimento (Samuel Maughn photo)
Forging a Future
One young man’s journey from trainee to entrepreneur
By Shaniya Harding
Along the Mahaica-Mahaicony region of Guyana, a significant change in pace is unfolding. Across the
ever, Altaff’s perspective changed after experiencing the opportunities the programme provided. Now a welder with his own small business, he uses his
easygoing community of the Berbice region, large-scale work and fast-paced projects are becoming the norm. With these new developments comes a whole new generation of workers—a team of ambitious young men proving that, with even the simplest skills, they can develop themselves by building businesses, their communities, and their country.
Twenty-three-yearold Altaff Basalot is one of these individuals. When he first heard about the opportunity to learn welding, he wasn’t particularly excited. Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine, he shared that he initially didn’t want to join the training programme offered by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT). How-
embrace the value of learning a trade.
Like many young people involved in the training programme, Altaff was born and raised in an agricultural community called Britannia, located on the West Coast of Berbice. “I’m from Britannia, West Coast. My community is a very small community,” he explained. He further shared, “Most people do not know about the community, but it’s strong. It’s people that plant rice, build tractors, and help people with mines.”
When he first ventured into the training programme offered at the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), Altaff didn’t enjoy the
saw little appeal in the welding programme. However, encouragement from his trainers, family, and friends made all the difference.
It was the practical work that truly captivated him. Seeing the complex inner workings of machines and the sparks of a welding rod sparked a fascina-
tion that hasn’t left him since. “So now, I just come and train one day, and when I come and train, I see the bikes and go to the workshop. I’ve never seen that before, and I just fall in love with it. I can’t help but see everybody doing it,” he said. “From that day on, I just start coming every single
day for this training.”
After recently graduating with a BIT certificate in welding, Altaff is making waves in his community. Described as highly skilled by his trainers, Altaff is giving back to his village and its bustling agricultural sector, helping tractor owners
skills to support his community and inspire other young people to
theory aspect of the training. Having never been a fan of school, he
Altaff’s colleague Darren Sahadeo, another young welder and entrepreneur (Samuel Maughn Photo)
FROM PAGE II
riculture, with the goal of enabling commercial-scale farming. Youths are also encouraged to gain skills in carpentry, masonry, and mechanics as sources of employment in the village.
“Day-to-day survival in Karasabai Village is fair. Goods and services are within reach. There are shops, and competition keeps prices affordable. We shop in bulk from
Karasabai...
neighbouring Brazil, which is two hours away by vehicle. The village truck assists with transporting goods to this remote community, ensuring residents have access to basic food items,” Albert said.
Albert noted that there are many small shops in the village, which keeps prices reasonable for the average person. There is no shortage of food, as locals grow their own fruits and
vegetables.
Karasabai Village can be accessed by air or land. Bus services are available from Lethem and Georgetown. From the city to Karasabai, it costs $18,000 one way per person, and a
two-hour flight from Ogle International Airport costs $52,000 one way. From Lethem to Karasabai, it is $3,500 per person, with buses running on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The main road leading to the far-flung village is made of laterite. Private vehicles and the village truck provide transportation for locals.
Albert envisions Karasabai Village as a
community of development, with lucrative employment opportunities, a revived tourism product to attract visitors, and a model village farm that sets the standard for agricultural success.
A section of the village
Karasabai Health centre
The Community Centre Ground with a pavilion
Distinguished Guyanese...
FROM PAGE IV
designation as a certified board director from the Institute of Corporate Directors through the University of Toronto and served on various boards, including RBC Royal Bank Barbados Limited. He was also on IDRF’s board for over 20 years, including as Chair from 2010 to 2014, before resigning in 2022 to support other worthwhile charities and organisations.
Winston holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management (AGDM), and is a Certi-
fied Corporate Director (ICD.D.) from the University of Toronto.
After retiring in December 2015, Kassim formed his own boutique management consulting company, which specialises in providing strategic planning, performance management, and communications advice to selected global companies, particularly with respect to large-scale investments.
At the same time, he has continued his wide range of charitable work, where his highly regarded financial and corporate governance capabilities have been put to effective use.
Winston, third from left, with brother Sultan Feroze, former Deputy Commissioner of Police, late mother Noorun, late brother Dr Farook and late father Subaydar
For the Greater...
Kaneville New Testament Baptist Church, he offers counselling and biblical guidance
to anyone in need. He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and a doctorate in human psychology from Beth-
el Baptist College in North Carolina, United States.
Pastor Angad not -
ed that the church has 40 regular members. However, on Sundays, the number rises
to 120, with about 70 children attending.
The church also hosts the Bethel Baptist Institute, a satellite Bible college affiliated with the North Carolina-based institution. Classes for the fouryear bachelor of theology degree programme, which covers 40 topics, are set to resume on January 13, 2025.
The pastor shared that he gave his life to Christ on February 11, 1998, at 8:15 pm during a Wednesday night church service. Since then, his life has changed for the better, and despite challenges, he has made a
difference in the lives of many through the church.
The next day, however, he became homeless when his father insisted he leave the house to change his religion. Today, his father is also a Christian and was baptised by Pastor Angad himself five years ago.
The pastor stated that he has served at various churches across the country. In 2006, he worked as an assistant pastor in Saint Martin but returned home to establish a church in Kaneville to serve the people. FROM PAGE V
Forging a...
keep their machines running with on-call maintenance. As Altaff explained, “I just really give to my community. Because nobody have tractors. So, if one of them broke anything, I just come here. I just go with them. Help them out.” He further added, “Sometimes I don’t even take money; I just do it to give back to my community.”
Altaff says he is thankful for the opportunity to learn a skill. Growing up in rural Berbice, he, like many young men, struggled to find work. “It’s a very small village. So, I really give thanks to MMA, BIT, and the Ministry. If it was not
for the training I got, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. Before venturing into welding, Altaff shared that the most common job among men his age was carpentry. “It was a nice thing growing up here, but there were not many jobs. Before this, I used to do carpenter work.”
Altaff has gone a step further and is now an entrepreneur. Although his business is still in its early stages, he is quickly becoming one of the community’s well-known welders. Working alongside a fellow BIT graduate, Darren Sahadeo, Altaff is proud of the strides he has made. As he stated, “I just fell in love with welding. And
I’ve been doing it since then. Since then, I’ve been doing it.” He added, “Yeah, I got my own real small business. It is not much. It’s me alone. I get somebody call me. I go by them. I help them out.”
Altaff also encourages other young men to take up the mantle and learn a skill, whether it’s welding, machine operation, or mechanics. “As a young man growing up, you should know a trade; it’s very good. And it’s very important for a person to know a trade.” According to Altaff, learning something new, regardless of how simple, can open new opportunities. “Some youth, man, out
on the road, right? You see them. They’re not doing nothing,” he said. “I would say to young men right now, as a youth, learn a trade. Every youth supposed to know a trade.”
From a young man unsure about his path to a business owner dedicated to giving back, Altaff proves that it’s never too late to change your trajectory. His message to young people is simple yet powerful: “Learn a trade. Trade is a very important thing. Every youth should know something.” Altaff’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that with hard work and the right opportunities, success is within reach.
The Theatre...
FROM PAGE IV
to last year, we did 37,” she added. “In 2009, it was a record-breaking year for The Link Show. No other production has enjoyed that kind of response from the public.”
However, this record-breaking era may never return, according to Gem. In recent years, there has been a decline
in support for theatre, with fewer productions and diminishing audiences. “Unfortunately, today—and this is post-COVID—what is happening in Guyana is that theatre is suffering.
The Link Show is suffering. During COVID, people found a lot of things they could do at home because we all had to occupy our-
selves,” she said. “So, it’s a new generation of theatregoers. Unfortunately, they are only interested in comedy, the slapstick stuff—not very serious theatre,” she shared.
From Whence We Came: The Chinese Experience
In 2009, Gem and a fellow theatre lover developed the idea
of a production that would tell the story of Guyana’s Chinese population. After being shelved for some time, the idea was reignited. With the collaboration of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, From Whence We Came: The Chinese Experience was brought to life. “In 2009, the late Marjorie Kirkpatrick invited me to her home and said she wanted to do something historical about the Chinese for
their arrival day, which is normally January 12,” Gem said.
But this is just the beginning, according to Gem. “My plan is that between 2025 and 2026, I’ll be attempting to stage six productions based on each of our ethnicities,” she revealed. Although much of her career revolved around theatre as a business, From Whence We Came is a bit different, with the venture being entirely
educational. “The real reason behind it is that it’s educational. It’s historical. I find our young people now don’t know too much about our history. I think it would be a good way of getting them involved—to get them to know about our history,” she stated.
The free event was hosted at the National Cultural Centre. It kicked off on Saturday and will see its end on Monday.
Preserving the memories of Christmases past: holiday compositions as the first school task of the New Year
Much like now, back in the day, we were tasked with writing a composition about how we spent Christmas and the August holidays after we returned to school. The things that were written conveyed the hardships of those times. Not every child got a new doll or a gun and holster for Christmas. If that interfered with the ‘big people’ Boxing Night or New Year’s Night dan-dan, or if the earning power simply wasn’t there, those ‘good old days’ were, in the majority of times, punishing times. But that wasn’t all; some children also learnt what their kinna’s were. When roaming during the season, accepting a lunch invitation at a friend’s home (if the authority of the kitchen was a big sister or cousin), the adults would always ask children, “Child, what yuh don’t eat, to be sure?” Outside of that monitoring, mishaps could lead to the embarrassment of a child vomiting. Some, like myself, were averse to unscaled fish, pork, and shrimp and were always advised to quietly tell the charge of the kitchen what you didn’t eat and did eat if offered. Of course, in school, much of the eating challenges and the professed causes were discussed between children but were not always included in the composition, though some were. Looking back, those compositions did serve a purpose—they encouraged us to purge ourselves in a
collective effort. Though we didn’t quite understand why some things made us nauseous, parents did offer explanations, though these were not allowed to be read aloud due to teacher censorship. When we read our compositions to the class, I did not include what I was told—that the things I didn’t eat were the cleaners of the animal world and were not suitable for human consumption. I was even told that the matriarch of my father’s side came from an African tribe that didn’t eat such things. Who knows? I never really explored it. I learned quickly that life’s challenges if you wanted to rise above the echelons of disadvantages on your own terms, required the warfare of choices in the arena where souls are bartered. That arena, a place of shadows, cared less for the private arguments of sympathies.
The shadow of the Christmas past was explored through our compositions. Aspects of those compositions were repeated, even as the world changed. A generation held the school banner when we became a Republic and tried our best to understand the world around us and much more, what was expected of us. It would take years to understand concepts like “Eat what you grow.” I was living on Lamaha Street. Well, after a long time, apples were brought back to Guyana. Either my mother or one of my sisters had brought my
first-born child to me during that Christmas season. The child was living with my mother. I had bought some apples and mangoes, so I sliced an apple and gave her one while we continued chatting. But I observed that she wasn’t eating the apple with any enthusiasm, so I asked her how she liked it—if she didn’t enjoy it. She looked at me, shook her head in the negative, and replied, “Pa, I don’t like this kind of mango; it ent got juice.” I took the apple, washed and sliced a mango then gave it to her with a saucer. I was speechless. Our national Buxton Spice had won as she ate her mango with a smile. That would have been an incredible composition.
What was achieved there is worth preserving, compared with the euphoria of the apple when I was her age. True, both fruits are eaten today, but the cultivated preferences of citizens of my age have dwindled. We should not take these small revolutions for granted. I did enjoy the presence of our own Woodside Choir Christmas Concert, and a friend shared with my family the Trinidadian choir, The Marionettes, at Queen’s Hall. I enjoyed them tremendously.
I do hope that this composition resonates with readers as we embrace 2025.
Oral precautions
Surprisingly, despite the pervasiveness of information on the internet, people still believe in untruths associated with dentistry. In fact, dental myths remain one of the most significant roadblocks to achieving good oral health.
These misconceptions promote behaviours that
PEOPLE generally believe that a toothache suggests that the tooth in question needs to be extracted. However, dentists are taught that there are six indications whereby a tooth must be extracted. Strangely, toothache pain is not one of them. Either pulp infection, pulp stimulation, or pulp exposure usually results in toothache. There is a dental procedure to solve all such circumstances. Your dentist should advise if a tooth should be extracted. Extractions generally cause mutilation, which can never be fully repaired and which the patient often regrets when it is too late.
can be detrimental to the health of teeth, gums, and oral tissue. Traditions need to be replaced with facts to ensure the delivery of appropriate oral care. For example, regardless of age, cavities may occur whenever plaque, bacteria, and sugar are present together in the mouth for more than 48 hours. Children usually develop cavities between their teeth and on the chewing surfaces. Older people are especially prone to developing cavities on exposed
root surfaces and around old fillings. If cavities are left untreated, decay will spread into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, causing an infection. Any infection can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. If the brain becomes involved, death can result. In fact, nine different conditions originating from dental abscesses are known to be fatal. Therefore, cavities can indeed have harmful effects on overall health.
A toothbrush with stiff bristles does not clean teeth better than one with soft bristles. In fact, using a toothbrush with stiff bristles over a long period damages the teeth by wearing away the tooth’s surface. Brushing exposed roots with stiff bristles causes severe damage over a shorter period because roots do
not have a hard protective covering of enamel. Using a stiff bristle on gums can damage the tissue and cause them to recede.
Remember that it is not possible to clean the surfaces between the teeth when brushing. Brushing alone cannot guarantee that your teeth will not decay. The teeth should also be flossed to remove plaque from all surfaces altogether. Plaque is associated with tooth decay and gum disease. If not removed daily, plaque can harden into calculus. This rough cement-like substance must then be removed professionally by a dentist or hygienist.
Another thing to consider is that no denture fit is permanent. Over time, changes occur in the bone and soft tissues in the mouth. This affects the way a
denture fits. To ensure continued proper fit, the denture wearer should have a dental exam at least once a year so that necessary adjustments can be made. This yearly examination will also help alert the dentist if any adjustments should be made to the denture. The dentures should be removed for at least six hours every day. This allows the tissues to rest and relieves the gums from the pressure. Excessive pressure can cause the supporting tissues of the denture to shrink. Dentures should be kept in water when they are not in the mouth to prevent warping. Wearing poorly fitted dentures can damage the bone and soft tissues, increase infection risk, and expose the wearer to oral cancer.
The road to publication: Navigating rewrites and writer’s block
WHEN I began this column series documenting the journey of bringing my manuscript, Leech, to publication, I made a promise to share the process honestly, warts and all. That means setting aside the insights I’d planned to share about the traditional publishing industry this week to talk about something that is more immediate: rewriting and writer’s block.
As I mentioned in my last column, I’m deep in the editing phase. I’ve received extensive feedback from my developmental editor and am now tasked with weaving those insights into the manuscript. This is the essence of the second draft stage—a stage that can, ironically, feel as daunting as starting the first draft. In fact, the second draft often comes with its own set of sub-stages, depending on how many rounds of revision are needed. Think of it as raising a young adult: your manuscript is functional and promising, but it still needs your supervision to truly thrive.
And let me tell you—this stage is no walk in the park. The developmental edits I’ve received are substantial, as they should be. These changes are essential to elevate Leech into a polished, compelling story. But facing those revisions head on has been… well, overwhelming. Questions tumble around my brain: Where do I even start? How long will this take? Will the story still hold up after all these changes? Will I catch every issue? And will readers love it—or will this effort be all for nothing?
If you’ve ever been in this position, you know the feeling. And if you haven’t, let me assure you—this is normal. Anxiety, vulnerability and even panic are all part of the creative process. However, these emotions often invite an unwelcome guest: writer’s Block. Yes, even after the first draft is done, that insidious doubt can creep back in, paralysing progress.
So, what do you do? How do you keep moving forward when the sheer scope of revisions feels suffocating? I’ve found a few strategies that are helping me through this stage, and I hope they’ll help you, too.
What I’ve done so far
After receiving feedback from my developmental editor, the first thing I did was gather all the notes and organise them into a system I could work with. This is a crucial step for anyone in the rewriting stage because it allows you to see the big picture and prioritise your efforts. There are many ways to approach this—mind mapping, using Post-it notes across their wall, colour-coding, journalling —but I decided on a more structured method: Excel.
Here’s what my Excel document includes:
• Editor’s notes and action items: I’ve logged every piece of feedback, big and small.
• Categories of fixes: These are grouped into character development, plot, structure, and style to help me focus on specific areas without feeling overwhelmed.
• Character arcs: I’ve detailed where issues arose with individual characters, so I can address their development cohesively.
• Chapter-by-chapter edits: In addition to the above tabs, each chapter has its own tab, noting where structural or stylistic changes are needed.
This document is my roadmap, which I will navigate continuously to ensure that I capture all the issues and that the final version of Leech flows seamlessly from beginning to end.
The challenge of where to start
I think I tried to distract myself with a high level of organisation to detract from the fact that even with all this, the biggest challenge remains: where to start. Some days, I think I should work chapter by chapter, diving
into the manuscript sequentially. Other times, I feel like focusing on one character’s arc from start to finish might be the way to go. Or perhaps tackling it issue by issue—plot, then style, then pacing—would be more effective.
Here’s the truth: there’s no surefire way to approach rewrites. The key is understanding the process you develop and working through it bit by bit. What matters most is progress, not speed. Rewriting isn’t about finishing quickly; it’s about taking
the time needed to make your work the best it can possibly be.
Strategies to tackle rewrites and writer’s block 1. Set soft deadlines (and stick to them)
Deadlines help you to stay accountable and move forward with the work, but rigid ones can lead to unnecessary stress. Create flexible, “soft” deadlines that keep you moving forward without making you feel trapped. If you miss one, adjust without
TURN TO PAGE XVII
Leech, 2025
The Importance of Having a Strong Support System
IN the past, I spoke about the importance of networking in professional settings. Networking is essential for professional growth and development. However, have you considered how networking can impact your life for the better? In life, there will be hardships and
challenges, but one of the best ways to cope with hardship is to maintain a positive and strong support system. Oftentimes, people mistake large gatherings of friends and relatives for a strong support system. Just like networking in our professional relationships, you can meet
someone at an event, but how do you maintain that connection? Do you mutually support the other person, or is the relationship one-sided? You can have a large group of friends, but that does not equate to a strong support system. Do not confuse quality with quantity. A strong support system is a network of friends, family, counsellors, community leaders, or even resources that can positively impact your emotional, mental, and even physical well-being, especially during times of crisis. The most important aspects of a strong support system are trust, mutual respect, and the ability to provide both help and understanding when needed. Most times, a strong support system offers emotional or moral support. Whether it’s when your friends call to check in on you after a breakup or when a family member provides a safe space for you to vent about work hardships. They assist us in ways they can, with the hope of reducing stress and anxiety. A strong support group can also offer physical assistance, such as helping an elderly person purchase their groceries if they’re unable to do so themselves. Having people around who support you, in both good and bad times promotes resilience and improves mental health. We are social beings and, as such, need people
around us to promote social and emotional stability. You must surround yourself with people who genuinely want what’s best for you. A positive support group will also motivate you in your life choices, create healthy coping mechanisms, and foster a sense of belonging. Personally, one of the most important aspects of my support group is the accountability they provide. My support group ensures that they promote growth by offering me decision-making tools while reminding me of my values as I make life choices.
The world can be very unkind at times, and it is unfair to choose unwisely who your closest loved ones are. I encourage you all to support those in your support circles further as well. It is unkind to only receive support without offering any in return, especially in times of need. While some people do not look forward to anything in return when they help you, you should consider giving support back if they’re in need or ever ask for help in any way you can. In the midst of chaos, we need people around us to support us. It’s okay to ask for help and remember that you aren’t alone in your struggle and journey.
AFRICANISED BEES’ ATTACKS: A MENACE TO BE CONFRONTED
EVERY month, there are reports of Africanised bees attacking individuals, mostly those engaged in agriculture, and stinging their victims to death. Last November, for instance, the print media carried reports of three such deaths. The first was that of an older man who was cutting down a tree when he disturbed a nest of such bees. The second was a rice farmer who did not realise that the bees had started nesting in his tractor, and when out in the field, they attacked him. The other was a young man in the Rupununi who was walking along the road when a swarm suddenly attacked him.
The Africanised bee is a hybrid, and its origin is interesting: some Brazilian scientists wished to increase the productivity of their hives by interbreeding an African species. Before they could conclude their research and experiment, some of the original African bees escaped into the wild, crossed with the local bees, and soon, the Capilanos were eliminated, leaving only the hybrid. This pattern quickly spread throughout South and Central America, and in Guyana today, all hives are Africanised.
Beekeepers experience little or no difference between servicing traditional Capilano hives and those of Africanised bees. It is the public at large who see and feel the difference. To
Before the appearance of Africanised bees in Guyana, the bees that hived or even lived in the wild were a species of European bees known as Capilano, which had a mild disposition. Even when they attacked, such as when defending the queen, they did not swarm persistently, and their bites, though painful and often leading to fevers, never resulted in fatalities.
The
road to...
guilt—but don’t lose sight of the end goal.
2. Take breaks—but be intentional about them
Anxiety thrives on burnout. When the overwhelm sets in, step away from your manuscript for an hour or even a day. Use this time to reset— take a walk, do something creative outside of writing, or simply rest. But don’t let your break stretch indefinitely. Use the time to refresh your focus, but be wary of procrastination!
3. Break it down
Tackling a whole manuscript at once is intimidating. Instead, break the work into manageable chunks. Celebrate small victories as you complete each piece—it all adds up to big progress.
4. Positive momentum: keep writing
It’s tempting to freeze up, second-guessing every choice. But the best way to beat writer’s block is to write through
it. Even if what you write doesn’t make the final cut, the act of writing keeps you connected to your manuscript and can spark fresh ideas. As the saying goes, “You can’t edit a blank page.”
For me, these strategies— and my detailed Excel roadmap—have been a lifeline. Revisions are moving forward— slowly, yes—but steadily. My soft deadline looms, and I’m determined to make 2025 the year Leech sees publication. If you’re navigating rewrites, wrestling with writer’s block, or dreaming of publication, know this: The road to publication is full of challenges, but it’s also deeply rewarding. If you have questions about writing, editing, or publishing—or if you just want to share your own struggles— reach out at thewritemind@gmail.com, I’d love to hear from you!
the public, the Africanised bee resembles a wasp (marabunta) with its elongated body, of a darker hue than a Capilano, and the fact that it attacks in a swarm which never seems to thin. The poison of their sting appears to be more potent than in other types of bees.
Attacks by Africanised bees are unpredictable, and it is this element of surprise which makes their attacks so dangerous and often fatal. Victims of attacks have tried various methods of escape: lying on the ground, hoping the swarm will pass over; jumping into rivers or pools of water, trying to insulate most parts of the body; be-
ing attired in a colour which could calm the bees, though there is no agreement on what that colour is; running away as fast as possible, assuming that the swarm will not follow beyond a certain distance; and rolling one's body on the ground, hoping that the attack will thin away. All these attempts at escape have been unsuccessful, since the bees never desist from their attack, and the poison from their stings weakens and slows the victim in their attempts to escape.
So far, the medical and scientific professions or any governmental authority have not come forward with any
answer to this menace of attacks by Africanised bees. We feel this has been so because these bodies have never turned their attention to finding a solution. We would, therefore, suggest that the Ministry of Agriculture and its scientific arm, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI): (i) Conduct a methodical worldwide survey to find out what has been done in the area of protection against attacks by these bees. If any feasible solutions are found in the survey, they should be tried and tested immediately. (ii) Undertake research to discover an insect repellent which would prevent the insects from coming near the body. (The insect repellents currently on the market are ineffective, since the bees attack despite their use.) (iii) Develop an antidote against the poison from the stings of these Africanised bees. (iv) Train medical personnel to administer emergency help to victims of bee, wasp, and other insect attacks.
The GCA has written to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture asking him to take measures to address the menace of attacks by Africanised bees, and we are optimistic that the Guyanese public will, at last, be offered some relief.
FROM PAGE XV
ONE FRIDAY MORNING IN JANUARY
A MORNING that brought something new in Dravid’s life in an unexpected way.
Dravid had left home on the West Coast in Windsor Forest Village at 4:30 in the morning, heading to the East Coast, where his machines had been working throughout the night. He was a young contractor on the road expansion projects, following in his father’s footsteps. From a young age, he had been on many work sites with his father while pursuing a
degree in engineering. By the time he graduated, he had gained a high level of practical knowledge. He began working with his father, and after eight years of invaluable experience, he made his first bid as a contractor. Now, he was his
own boss, having won a bid for one of the smaller contracts in roadworks.
“Congratulations, son,” his father had expressed proudly.
“You put heart and soul into this work, and you have gained a just reward.”
“Thanks, Dad. I couldn’t have done it without you, though. You gave me the start I needed.”
However, the projects came with challenges that he always had to be mentally prepared to tackle head-on.
One of those challenges that had been affecting his project deadlines was a shortage of labourers. Now that the holidays were just over, the situation was worse. He had been paying scouts good money to recruit able-bodied men from villages on the East Coast, but he wasn’t getting the numbers he wanted. Not sure the men were making a good effort, he decided that starting this morning, he would accompany the scouts in recruiting labourers.
“There are times,” his father had advised him, “when you really need to get something done, you’ve got to do it yourself.”
Dravid turned into a street at Martha’s Ville from the directions he was given, but no one was there waiting for him.
“I wonder if I’m on the wrong street.”
He drove to another street, still seeing no one, and stopped by a flamboyant tree at the end of the road, not quite comfortable being in a strange area so early in the morning.
He called the person who had given him the directions.
“What happened, man? Where are you?”
“Ah dey hay waiting fuh yuh, boss.”
“And where is that? I’m in the street you sent me.”
“No boss, yuh got de wrong street.”
Dravid swore quietly, “How the hell did you give me the wrong directions?”
“Wait right deh, boss. Me and Andre coming tuh yuh before yuh guh wrong street again.”
Dravid swore again and
exited his 4x4 Toyota Hilux to avoid looking suspicious as a strange vehicle parked there. It was a quiet neighbourhood with simple but neat little houses, mesh and picket fences, wooden bridges, flourishing fruit trees, and blooming flower gardens.
“The simplicity of life,” Dravid mused, “that modernity hasn’t yet touched.”
As he looked around, one of the houses right where he was parked seemed to have a magical pull on his senses. It was smaller and quite charming, with a white picket fence, flowers in the garden in a riot of colours, and a bird bath that seemed to be from the colonial days. By the gate was a neat little shop. As he stood there waiting for the scouts, he saw a young, slim African woman in a simple floral dress with her hair wrapped in a bun. She came out of the house with food boxes, placed them on the counter, and made a couple more trips to bring out more. Suddenly, people in cars and on bikes rushed in to pick up the food, which seemed to be special orders.
It was then Dravid realised how hungry he was, having left home so early without even a cup of coffee. She noticed him standing there, a strange man, and asked in a pleasant tone, “Are you here for something?”
“No, waiting on two guys.” She smiled slightly, went inside, and came out with more boxes and a tray with cups of coffee.
“Now that I can have,” he said to himself, but before he could ask her for coffee, his phone rang.
It was his father, wanting to know where he was and what he was doing. They spoke for a while, and by the time he was finished, his two scouts
ONE FRIDAY MORNING IN...
FROM PAGE XVIII
had arrived, and all the food and coffee were sold out.
“Damn,” he swore, “This is really not my morning.”
He was about to leave when she came forward a little, holding a tray with a food box and a cup of coffee.
“I kept this for you.”
“That’s really nice of you,” he said thankfully.
“You looked hungry.”
“Yes, that is so.”
“And frustrated.”
“And that too.”
“Why don’t you sit, calm down, and eat something? You’ll feel better.”
“Okay, that’s really nice of you.”
The breakfast of cheese sandwiches and chicken puffs was quite fulfilling, and paying her with a five-thousand-dollar note, he told her to keep the change.
“That’s too much change to keep.”
“No, it’s nothing because you were kind to a stranger.”
He left feeling better, a smile on his face, and the day went well after that. More labourers than he needed showed up, and he employed them all.
“A Friday morning in January to remember,” he said to himself.
Weeks went by as he pushed with the project to avoid falling behind the deadline. He didn’t have to return to the village to source labourers, but he couldn’t stop thinking of the pretty young woman, her pleasant voice, and her demeanour.
After a month, when he had to be on the road early again, he drove into the village, remembering the cross street, and stopped by the beautiful little house. No one was there except for a dark Lexus SUV parked outside.
“Maybe she’s not working today,” he deduced and was turning to leave when a deep, heavy voice stopped him.
Dravid turned around and saw a tall, well-built African man with a heavy gold chain around his neck and rings on his fingers.
“What are you here for?”
“Damn, who is this?” he asked quietly and answered the man casually, “Breakfast.”
“She doesn’t cook and sell food when I’m home,” the man stated.
“Okay, thanks for letting me know. And who are you?”
The man gave him an angry look.
“You don’t know who I am?”
“Well, no,” Dravid answered coolly, “I’m a stranger here.”
“I’m her husband,” the man informed him with an angrier look, flexing his muscles. “Just remember that.”
“Okay,” Dravid responded,
unfazed by the man’s aggression. “Guess I’ll buy breakfast somewhere else.”
As he drove off, he wondered about the young woman. The man seemed brutish, while she was gentle.
“How did she end up marrying a guy like that?”
Three more weeks passed before he dared to go back into the village. The SUV was gone, and stopping, he saw her selling her food.
“Well, that’s a relief,” he said, waiting until everyone was gone.
She once again kept a box of food for him and a cup of coffee. That morning, breakfast was roti and pumpkin with shrimp. He looked at her, somewhat surprised, and she responded curiously,
“What? A black girl can’t cook roti?”
“I didn’t say anything,” he said flustered.
“Well, your expression said it.”
“Sorry about that,” he apologised and enjoyed the breakfast with an extra roti and a second cup of coffee.
“You’re quite hungry,” she said.
“Yep, I’ve been working non-stop for the past four days.”
As he paid her, he observed that she didn’t look quite as happy as when he had first met her, and he asked, a little concerned, “Is everything okay?”
She sighed and answered after a short while, “Yes, I’m fine.”
He knew she wasn’t telling the truth but didn’t pursue it. Instead, he told her, “I was here last month but you weren’t doing your business, and I met a guy who was somewhat angry.”
She sighed again, “He’s like that to everyone, a very jealous person.”
“I guess I’d better leave before he returns.”
“It’s okay. He has gone back in the bush and should be back in another month.”
Dravid thought for a moment before saying to her, “You know, we are both strangers to each other, but you seem like a really nice person. If at any time you need help or want to talk about something that’s bothering you, I can make the time to listen.”
He handed her his card and said, “You’re free to call me any time.”
She took the card hesitantly and teased slightly, “Wouldn’t a strange girl calling you get you in trouble?”
“Nope,” he answered with a smile. “I’m not married.”
She smiled and teased, “Eligible bachelor!”
“Yep,” he smiled and left.
He came for breakfast for
two successive weeks, and they chatted as he ate. They were strangers no more.
“You can cook very well,” he complimented her.
“A family inheritance,” she told him.
“And this beautiful little house, it kind of suits your warm personality.”
“Thanks.”
“I find it somewhat strange, though.”
“What is that?”
“If your husband works
in gold mining and seems to be doing well, why is he living here with you in a little house?”
“He is now building his own house on the East Bank.”
“So, you’ll give up your business and move there?”
“Something like that.”
He looked at her and after a short moment, said, “You don’t sound happy.”
She took a deep breath and, after a long moment, responded, “It’s not what I really wanted.”
“What do you want?”
“We can’t all have our dreams,” she replied, not answering his question.
He realised it was something deep she was battling with that she didn’t want to talk about. Taking his leave, he told her, “I hope when I stop by next time, I can see you smiling.”
She tried to smile but didn’t quite manage it. Somehow, it touched his heart that she was unhappy.
Three weeks later, after a business trip overseas, he returned to see her. She wasn’t there, nor was the SUV. He stood there a little, and as he turned to leave, he heard a voice calling him softly.
He turned back and saw her at the door, her face bruised and one eye black and swollen.
“What the hell…” Dravid exclaimed in shock.
To be continued…
STUDY SUCCESS
Dear Student,
Welcome dear reading friend. There is a way to discriminate between facts and opinions: It begins with the reader’s understanding of the function of sentences. Sentence construct helps with your disassociating of facts from opinions, which is an essential first step in acquiring a critical reading ability. You need to read carefully to determine whether the writer is simply reporting something that ac-
tually happened, or more or less is expressing approval or disapproval of the thing. Be wise.
Love you.
GRAMMAR
A. Punctuation- representation of numbers
Notes: 1) For the sake of clearness and economy, it is customary in certain instances to use figures, rather than words, to represent numbers.
There are three forms to represent a number: The standard form: For example,
89,615. The word form: For example, four hundred eighty-seven. The expanded form: For example, 700 + 50 + 9.
2) It is also good to note that a digit is a single numeral (0-9), like the digit 2 in the number 2, or the digit 2 in the number 2507.
A number can have one or more digits, such as 5 or 2506 or 2,507.37.
A figure can be a shape, a diagram, or a number; if used to describe a number, it can be composed
January
12, 2025
of a single digit or of multiple digits.
What is on today:
1. Use figures to represent dates, street numbers, room numbers, telephone numbers, volume, chapter, and page numbers, hours (when the hour numeral is followed by A.M. or P.M.):
An Aruba Airlines flight is due at 12:15 P.M. today.
Sheila lives at 1654 ‘C’ Mockingbird Avenue, North Ruimveldt.
The quote is from Beard’s “The Rise of American Civilization”, Volume 1, page 35.
The University of Guyana is over 60 years old.
Call me on (592) 658 2784.
2. Use figures for numbers which would require more than one or two words for representation if spelled out:
Three freshmen and thirty-eight sophomores were present.
Harvard university is over three hundred years old.
The turnstiles registered 56,274 admissions.
The per capita farm income for New York state in 1929 was $493. In Tennessee it was $137.
3. Use figures to represent each number in a passage containing several numbers or a group of statistics:
In 1957 it was reported that, out of 913 recreation agencies operating on a fulltime, year-round basis, with at least one employee, 531, or more than half, are recreation departments; 282 are park-and-recreation areas; and only 45 are administered by school authorities.
B. Avoid incorrect or illogical coordination
Wrong: The next day we visited Fort Ticonderoga, a place beautifully located on Lake Champlain, and which is famous for its connection with Ethan Allen.
The error here consists in wrongly coordinating the phrase, a place beautifully located on Lake Champlain, and the clause beginning with ‘which’. Two or more phrases or two or more
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
The Puritan hated bear-baiting, not because it gave pain to the bear, but be- cause it gave pleasure to the spectators. LORD MACAULAY (1800-1859) History of England, vol. 1, ch. 2
clauses can be coordinated, but not a phrase and a clause.
Right: The next day we visited Fort Ticonderoga, which is beautifully located on Lake Champlain and is famous for its connection with Ethan Allen.
Right: The next day we visited Fort Ticonderoga. It is beautifully located on Lake Champlain and is famous for its connection with Ethan Allen.
IMPROVING WRITING
Good, simple and unadulterated writing
“It’s too small for Mrs Peters,” said Septimius.
For the first time in days, he was speaking as he used to do! Of course, it was – absurdly small, she, Rezia, said. But Mrs. Peters had chosen it.
He took it out of her hands. He said it was an organ grinder’s monkey hat.
How it rejoiced her, that! Not for weeks had they laughed like this together, poking fun privately like married people. What she meant was if Mrs. Filmer had come in, or Mrs. Peters or anybody, they would not have understood what she and Septimius were laughing at.
“There,” she said, pinning a rose to one side of the hat. Never had she felt so happy! Never in her life!
But that was still more ridiculous, Septimius said. Now the poor woman looked like a pig at a fair. (Nobody had ever laughed as Septimius did.)
What had she got in her workbox? She had
ribbons and beads, tassels, artificial flowers. She tumbled them out on the table. He began putting odd colours together – for though he had no fingers, could not even do up a parcel, he had a wonderful eye, and often he was right, sometimes absurd, of course, but sometimes wonderfully right.
About the Passage Today’s passage was chosen to help you enjoy good, simple and unadulterated writing. Check it carefully.
The author chose no huge words like boulders, not too much deeply implied meanings, and no diplomatic style to relate the event. And an event it was. Yet an interesting story was formed. You would surely want to read more of this writer’s work.
What to Do
Together with your study committed partners, complete the following questions.
1. Look at the dialogue in use. See how the writer’s choice of words allow dialogue to help tell her story.
2. Do you see the male character, Septimius, as being loveable? How can you say his behavior affects the milliner, his wife?
3. What little can you say about the wife-character, Rezia? Think up a short list of words to suitably describe her.
4. Write an enjoyable story of your own. Let your partners read and comment with explanations.
The Right Lens
WHEN viewed through the right lens, the world can transform. Human beings have consistently proven themselves to be avid generators of change because of their ability to view the world through different lenses. As people grow, their perspectives change, and they often create new visions to shape the small parts of the world that they have access to. What if, however, our perspectives of the world were limited in growth? What if we were unable to see the world in its actual state? In such a case, would we still be capable of genuinely creating impacts?
Imagine taking a snapshot of the world as it exists today. What would such an image depict?
Of course, it is impossible to capture the entire world in a single image. So, we create mental pictures of it from the information that we learn. Lately, however, it seems as if every avenue of communication carries news about something negative happening in our world. It feels like our world has never been more violent, disconnected, or discontented than it is today. Although most measurable data and statistics indicate that the world is generally more peaceful and stable than it used to be in the past, we still do not feel as happy as we ought to. Thus, while the world is objectively developing in several areas, our perspective of it continues to be primarily negative. Recently, I came across the fact that human beings may naturally tend to remember negative experiences more deeply and more vividly than positive ones. Sadness, anger, and fear are all emotions that are as natural as joy and happiness. Yet, we are more likely to remember a traumatising
experience than a joyful one vividly. From an evolutionary standpoint, it is speculated that this tendency developed to increase an individual’s chances of survival. For instance, if we can remember frightening or upsetting situations more vividly, then we might have a higher chance of avoiding or surviving them when encountered again. In the modern world, however, this tendency has consistently served as a hindrance in the process of developing a positive, or at least realistic, worldview.
The truth is we are constantly bombarded with a mixture of information from various sources. The mass media and a multitude of other communication mediums provide constant updates, which can often be quite negative, about every aspect of the world. Sometimes, we find ourselves informed about a situation even if we never actively sought out information about the topic. This is not only overwhelming but quite disorienting, especially for younger people who have not yet had an opportunity to develop an understanding of the world. For example, imagine spending your entire life living in a home that is painted in dark colours and allows no light to enter. You may naturally find yourself feeling hopeless and saddened. The colours around you affect your emotions, even if you are not actively undergoing a situation that should evoke sadness.
Similarly, the constant stream of mostly negative information, paired with human beings’ natural tendency to remember negative situations, leads to a large mass of people who view the world as a sad and hopeless place. When this mass is mainly made up of young people, it leads to a future world that
is run by individuals who have little hope for the world and lack the enthusiasm that leads to innovation.
Indeed, we cannot always predict and filter the kind of information that we receive on a daily basis. Neverthe-
less, the simple awareness that information can shape our entire outlook can be crucial in shaping not just our own identities but our very perspective of the world. When we receive negative news, we have the responsi-
bility not simply to remember it but to see if there is anything we can do to change the situation or prevent it from happening again. If there is nothing positive that can come from a conversation, it is our responsibility to step away from it. Our power to change the world is one of our most important assets as the human race. Let us make a promise never to let hopelessness weaken this strength.
