Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 13-10-2024

Hope heals

Giving Hope Foundation and the role that the community plays in recovery

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Dr Gooding, Oncologist and Founder of The Giving Hope Foundation, with one of the organisation’s annual magazines (Samuel Maughn photo)

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

Essence of Herbs soon to launch tea drops with significant nutritional and health benefits

By Michel Outridge

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

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

AS we celebrate Agriculture Month 2024 with the theme “Transforming Tomorrow: Championing Food Security through Innovation and Technology”, we will be featuring some of our locals who have made significant contributions to our local sector and farther afield.

This week, we are featuring Princess Cosbert with her brand “The Essence of Herbs”, which she started in 2015. As a cancer survivor, she had a vision to craft naturally delicious and ethically sourced herbs and spices into teas and other products to satisfy the Guyana market.

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

Fraser is originally from Uitvlugt but resides at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. She is married and has a three-year-old son.

She explained that after the birth of her child, she noticed that he had issues with hair growth, and parts of his head were very patchy with no hair, and she wanted to change that.

The small company has grown over the years and has expanded its product line to include dietary supplements, skincare, haircare, hygiene and facial products, among other items. The Essence of Herbs products have received enthusiastic reviews and are on sale across Guyana.

Cosbert did not know that her life-threatening illness would have empowered her to become an agro-processor of all-natural products in the form of tea drops/gummies and organic hair and skin care products, which have significant nutritional and health benefits.

Fraser led herself into detailed research, and after gaining knowledge, she experimented with some ingredients and made a hair oil from aloe, coconut oil and onion.

The 38-year-old told the

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

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

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

The demand was great within her family tree, and one day, her father encouraged her to utilise her newfound skill to establish a small business to bring in an income to her home.

As such, in 2022, she launched her products in which the hair oil infused

with rosemary oil became the best seller. She branded her products and went about to become a registered busi-

Pepperpot Magazine that she is a cancer survivor and credits her survival to herbal treatments which were administered by her own father, who has since passed away. Cosbert lost her mother to cancer, and, on her deathbed, she asked Princess to have herself checked out since she felt that something was wrong with her health. She had been ill, and her mother was her caregiver. On the brink of death, 10 years ago, after she was diagnosed with cancer, Cosbert opted to utilise herbal medicine, which significantly improved her health and gave her a new

is used in the production of the products, including essential oils.

lease on life.

Fraser added that as a

Having made a full recovery, she wanted to undertake an agro-processing venture in natural, herbal products. After surviving cancer with the help of herbal treatments, Cosbert wanted to promote organic, herbal products which can be beneficial for people instead of expensive medical care. She is a testimony of the power of natural products and what

ness. Fraser’s hair oil was then vetted as safe for use by the relevant authorities, certified and has its own label and packaging to market the products. She explained that the name “Favour” is a powerful Bible name which suited her small business.

The entrepreneur related that her products are all plant-based and give a therapeutic feeling when used and everything from plants

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

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

afloat.

She added that her vision is to produce top-quality, effective products and she would like to become num-

overcame cancer and became healthy again,” she said.

Cosbert related that the life-changing experience opened her eyes to the multi-faceted benefits of herbs and organic products, and she wanted to produce products that would have a positive impact on health.

Today, she is cancer-free

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

and is using her knowledge and talent to produce local products such as herbal tea drops, shampoo and conditioner, facial scrub, lip balm, toning serum, deodorant and bar soaps.

Cosbert reported that her tea drops are potent and ideal for people who are health conscious and also for diabetics.

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

Her facial scrub and facial toning serum can be used together to brighten the skin to a natural glow and eliminate blemishes and sunburn discolouration for a more dewy, natural appearance.

Cosbert stated that her deodorant is aluminium-free and safe to use, while her bar soaps are lye-free and do not dry out the skin as some soaps do; instead, it retains the moisture for a healthier look.

they can do for the body to promote health.

She started a small agro-processing business via a mini factory in front of her house at Farm, East Bank Demerara, eight years ago, producing organic tea pods in six flavours but quit making it.

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

Cosbert has embarked on a new venture, which is producing tea drops in a gummy form that can be used in hot water as tea without milk or sugar and is suitable for diabetes.

She reported that the herbal tea drops come in six flavours and will be packaged in clear (see-through) reus-

ucts certified, labelled, and well-packaged.

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

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

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

ber one in haircare and beard oils.

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

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

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

Princess Cosbert’s facial toning serum

Princess Cosbert

The herbal deodorant and lip balm

The new line of tea drops (gummies) will be released into the local market soon

Falana Fraser, entrepreneur. Favour’s Hair Therapy plant-based products (Yohan Savory photos)

Falana Fraser and her products.

Hope heals

Giving Hope Foundation and the role that the community plays in recovery

By Shaniya Harding.

OCTOBER marks yet another year of cancer awareness, with the term ‘Pinktober’ gaining more traction with each passing year. This week, the Pepperpot Magazine sought to discuss the importance of community and support for those battling cancer. There are few people better qualified to tackle this topic than Dr. Latoya Gooding, medical oncologist and founder of The Giving Hope Foundation. Sparked by Dr. Gooding’s personal experience with her grandfather, who battled cancer, Giving Hope does more than raise awareness. It has become a family rather than just a foundation. Having helped hundreds since its inception, Dr. Gooding and her team are proof that the community plays a vital role in recovery.

Birth of the Giving Hope Foundation.

Dr. Latoya Gooding is a notable name in the field of oncology, with both her career expertise and foundation changing lives. Sharing about the founding of Giving Hope and the inspiration behind it, she shared, “The Giving Hope Foundation is a not-forprofit organisation that was established in October 2016, where it was brought about to the need of having an NGO that can raise awareness, that can do screening for persons out there because due to my professional work, I would have found that a lot of persons were being diagnosed in late stages of cancer, stages three and four.”

However, her medical journey began long before Giving Hope. As she shared, “But the whole need going way back is that, due to my grandfather’s diagnosis of prostate cancer, that actually pushed me into the field of oncology. And from there, I think the whole need for the foundation was realised.”

Although cancer awareness is one of its strongest pillars, Giving Hope does far

vix, and prostate cancer. We do awareness sessions where we go about and talk about

also pivotal to the work done by Giving Hope, offering psychological help in what

more. With a team of skilled volunteers, Giving Hope has been a major player in both the diagnosis and recovery of hundreds. “Through the Giving Hope Foundation, we do screening for breast, cer-

the different types of cancers and the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of where you can access screening and treatment,” said Dr. Gooding.

An interest in and dedication to mental health is

most describe as the most difficult time in their lives.

“We also address the mental health aspect of having a diagnosis of cancer, where we have a team of psychologists. We have our nutritionists on

board who advise our patients along their diet plan,” said Dr. Gooding.

The power of support Support is as important to cancer recovery as treatment. This is at least what Dr. Gooding says: “The importance of having a community, meaning the supporters, the family support, the friend support. It’s very important. I have seen persons who have been diagnosed at stage three, getting the best treatment, but because they lack family support, they become depressed, stressed out, and the cancer tends to progress.”

Giving Hope is among the largest support groups in Guyana and has become one of the largest support groups for anyone with any cancer. “We have our survivorship programme, where we have a network of cancer patients and cancer survivors that support each other throughout their journey.” Dr. Gooding further shared, “Through this network, we have a reach of over 50-plus cancer patients and survivors. And it’s mainly virtual, where we communicate, we reach out to each other.”

October is a busy month for the Giving Hope team, with a list of activities and initiatives geared towards cancer survivors. “Through the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have one month full of activities to celebrate the survivorship of our cancer patients. Not only breast, but it ranges from breast, prostate, cervical, colon, ovarian, across the board.”

Citing a few more activities that people can look forward to, Dr. Gooding shared, “We have our Look Good Feel Better, which is something that we would have started in 2017. It is an event where we pamper cancer patients, pamper cancer survivors. We have makeup, we do pedicure, manicure, we try to get donations of wigs so that they feel they come in one

way, and when they leave, they feel different, they leave a bit more empowered.”

The highlight of the month, however, is the foundation gala, which normally garners massive support.

“We always end our month with our gala. The gala is a fundraising event, so that we can raise funds to help do our events throughout the year.”

Early Detection and Education.

Early detection saves lives is Dr. Gooding’s mantra. “Early detection saves lives. That has been my message from 2015 to now, and I believe that sharing that message or that advice goes a long way.” She further added that “If you’re diagnosed at stage one, you have a 90% chance of surviving cancer. So it all comes down back to early detection.”

Throughout her career, Dr. Gooding has also grappled with misconceptions regarding cancer and cancer treatment, some of them more harmful than others, she says. “A misconception that I found a lot is that cancer spreads. If someone has cancer in your home, you don’t want to touch them, you don’t want to use the same utensils that they’re using, but cancer doesn’t spread to individuals.”

There are a few symptoms or early signs of cancer. According to Dr. Gooding, the most important thing to remember is to get screened; there are places for screening throughout the year. But paying keen attention to your body and family history is significant, and it’s never too early to start saving your life. “If someone has a family history like their mother or sister had breast cancer due to 1 or 2 genes being positive, they should start getting screened earlier. Even if your mom was diagnosed at 40, you can start at age 30 to be screened,” said Dr. Gooding.

Dr. Latoya Gooding, Oncologist and Founder of The Giving Hope Foundation (Samuel Maughn photo)

‘One Day Congotay’

A collection of the Caribbean’s Folklore

By Shaniya Harding

CARIBBEAN folklore

transcends mere storytelling. Tales of mythical creatures on dark nights have spread throughout the region, creating a common thread among countries that share much more than just stories. Although many of these legends exist throughout the Caribbean, collections of such tales are rare. That’s why the book ‘One Day Congotay’ has been gaining much traction. The anthology features Caribbean folklore from seven writers: Latoya Wakefield (Jamaica), Rianne Garvin (Trinidad and Tobago), Tyler Mahadeo (Trinidad and Tobago), Tamia Lashley (Guyana), Cosmata Lindie (Guyana), Gabrielle Mohamed (Guyana), and Mar-

sha Gomes-McKie (Trinidad and Tobago). Slated to see its launch on October 17, ‘One Day Congotay’ is bound to make some waves and ignite imaginations in the Caribbean and beyond.

The Pepperpot Magazine sat down with one of Guyana’s writers, Gabrielle Mohamed, who takes an intriguing and spooky approach with her story called “The Blood Doctor” (or “De Blood Dactah” as titled in the book). Her inspiration, she says, comes from her homeland, Guyana. Born and raised in the capital city of Georgetown, Gabrielle spent much of her childhood between Bartica and Corentyne, where her parents are from. “I am a product of Georgetown, but my soul is in the rivers of Bartica, and my tongue is in the leaves of Berbice,” she

says. This connection deeply influenced her contribution to the book: “I like to refer to myself as the daughter of the Red Mother. And the Red Mother is my personified version of our landscape.” Her time shared between the counties of Guyana gave Gabrielle a unique perspective that is evident in all of her works. “I have many core memories, just going to the river with my grandfather, waiting for the snake to come out of the water,” she reflects. She further adds, “As soon as you cross the river, or you come back from Berbice, the spell is broken, and that sense of harmony between brother and sister, from various religions, and people of varying

colours, that kind of humanity and unity is broken.”

A lifelong, passionate writer, Gabrielle is also a poet and playwright. Her work “Spirits of the Mountain Crest” was staged at the National Culture Centre a few years ago. Since then, she has made significant strides in her career, with several notable publications. ‘One Day Congotay’ remains unique in its portrayal of difficult themes and use of Guyanese Creole. “I want to create something entirely new. Using Guyanese Creole English is so important to me because when you break it down, there are references to different cultures existing in a sentence to derive meaning.”

Gabrielle’s story, tackles harsh themes like issues facing women. “My particular piece focused on violence against women. I felt like when the judiciary system fails our women, we need to do something. And this, for me, is where the land comes alive,” she explains. “My story utilises our landscape; it is reflective of all the survivors who are still being haunted by the trauma of the beatings they would have received.”

She chose this theme because of her ability to relate to it and the complexities it encompasses. “I’m very womanistic, not feministic, womanistic. Because feminism doesn’t speak to the reality of being coloured and a woman at the same time.” Writing the story was an intricate and delicate process: “Once I have that title, ‘The Blood Doctor,’ I am able to create a very detailed skeleton of the story and add my organs and the tissues and the tendons and the blood and the arteries.”

Gabrielle is proud of her Caribbean heritage and identity and ensures that they are showcased in her work. Moreover, she ensures that her story is not only engaging but captivating to readers with strong human interest aspects. “I made a very conscious decision to choose a humanistic approach with folklore and supernatural tenets inside to build this working body of art.”

Sharing more about her story, Gabrielle hopes readers will learn about Caribbean folklore as well as the real challenges women face. “In my story, ‘The Blood Doctor,’ Mother Epione in Greek mythology refers to the goddess of soothing pain. And she is able to create this concoction, this virus, essentially, that’s going to transform my protagonist Gina.”

Still considering herself a budding writer, Gabrielle advises that all writers and artists, regardless of their medium, should keep moving forward and understand that rejection is just part of the creative process. “It won’t be your first rejection. It’s not going to be your last. You can be the most established ‘writer’ out there, and they’re still going to say no to you.” She further urges them to find people who are interested and intrigued by the work, and although it may seem difficult, the Caribbean is full of passionate creatives. “Just because one person said no doesn’t mean the world will say no. There’s an entire community of writers and creative thinkers out there. You just need to find the right people.”

Writer and Poet, Gabrielle Mohamed

Settling in

How one immigrant family has fully adjusted to Guyanese life

By Michel Outridge

WHEN Agnia Sanabria and her family relocated to Guyana in 2015 from Cuba, she did not know what to expect after her spouse took a job here as an orthopaedic doctor. Today, it is safe to say that Sanabria is fully settled and willing to live here permanently because she is accustomed to the simple living.

When they first arrived in Guyana, the family lived in the city but did not like it there. They then moved to the countryside, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and started two small businesses from their home.

Sanabria and her mother, Maribel Rodriguez, 67, are seasoned crocheted makers who would in no time make some lovely pieces of cloth-

for crocheting would turn into a small business due to the demand for items.

She said that they would love to have their own little shop to display their crocheted items and also their line of cakes and sweet treats.

“We love crocheting, me and my mom, who is living with us here in Guyana and we do it daily as part of our simple routine,” she said.

Agnia pointed out that “Crocheted Dream” is all handmade items based on orders received, and they fulfill them as quickly as possible and then would make other things.

ing, animals, hair ties, bags, baby clothes key chains or any other items based on customer orders.

Crocheting is a third-generation tradition handed down through the family. It was Sanabia’s late grandmother who first became skilled at the art of crocheting and passed it on to her mother, who then passed it on to her. The crocheting small business is called “Crocheted Dream”, and they have since gone on to have their own customised tee-shirts to promote their business.

Sanabria’s daughter,

Perez, who speaks fluent English and manages the social media aspect of the businesses, is a student of the University of Guyana, pursuing an associate degree in biology but also wants to become a doctor like her father but a cardiologist.

Camila has a full-time job at Hardware Depot on Charlotte Street and also assists in the family cake-making business.

She came to Guyana when she was just nine years old, and today, she is 19 and loves it here in Guyana, a place she calls home. Still, she misses the beauty of the beach and her homeland, Cuba, from time to time.

Agnia told the Pepperpot Magazine that she was 24 years old when she made her debut in crocheting and it was a dress. Before, she practised

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have a

Agnia stated that it is a norm for people in Cuba to take up a hobby as crocheting because the tourists would buy the handmade items they produce and it is also a good way to pass free time.

She reported that two years ago, they began crocheting a lot as a hobby, which turned into a small business, and they have since rented two racks at two different locations to display and serve as pickup spots for their items.

The 47-year-old mother of two and a grandmother of one pointed out that they did not even know that their love

shelf at Progressive Couple Collaboration at Public Road, Good Hope and another at Arts and Craft at East Street, Georgetown, to display their items.

She related that they also have “Hilda’s Desserts” a cake-making small business named after her late grandmother and they make customised cakes and other sweet treats based on orders.

“I try my best to give the

customers what they need… for maximum satisfaction,” she said.

Agnia added that they have adjusted to life here in Guyana. As Cubans, they have a happy home, and they are busy individually but still have the time to cook, take care of the plants and the pets, manage two small businesses, and set aside family time.

Camila

making smaller things like table mats.

A pot of plant

A pair of baby shoes

One of the many two-piece clothing made to order

A lovely hand bag

Camila Perez Sanabria, her grandmother, Maribel Rodgriguez and her mother, Agnia Sanabria

A handmade bag

Crown with a cause Miss Lethem’s

By Shaniya Harding

LETHEM, one of Guyana’s most beautiful townships, is home to captivating people. Among them is Nickell Pugsley, the most recently-crowned “Miss Lethem”. An ambitious young woman with a passion for pageantry, she is using the support garnered from her crown for an even bigger project. As a young woman growing up in Region 9, her childhood was characterised by adventures and big dreams. As she grew older, however, she soon realised that for some women in her town, achieving their goals might come with challenges. Since her win, Nickell has been on a constant mission to empower and educate women in her region, encouraging them to educate themselves and believe in their potential.

Talking about her childhood, Nickell shared, “I was born and raised in the beautiful township of Lethem. My childhood was pretty adventurous and a childhood that moulded me into the person that I am today,” she said. Growing up along the banks of the Rupununi River, Nickell’s early years were marked by family fishing trips and swimming adventures. “I remember my childhood being very, very adventurous. Always going somewhere, always doing something,” she says, her eyes lighting up at the memories.

It was during these early years that Nickell discovered her passion for performance. “I had to be a tambourine princess. I had to dance for a Mashramani competition,” she recalls. “I remember being so nervous, but I wanted to make my teachers proud, my parents proud, everyone proud.”

This early exposure to the stage ignited a love for performance. “Since then, I always took part in dancing, in concerts. I also used to recite poems. I grew up being a very competitive person,” Pugsley explains. Her love for dancing, in particular, has remained constant throughout her life. “I think dancing is something that is my passion and it is something that I will always love and always do.”

From spectator to competitor

Mission to Empower Women

Despite her early comfort with performance, entering pageants was still a big step for her. She shared that she overcame many challenges before deciding to take the leap into pageantry. As she explained, “I always loved pageants. I always watched Miss Universe pageants. My mom would

always take me to all these pageants—Miss Rupununi, Miss Amerindian, Miss Rodeo,” Nickell shared. However, fear of judgement held her back until her mother’s encouragement finally pushed her to compete.

Once she made the decision, however, she approached it determined to make her family and community proud. As she shared, “In my mind, I said, I’m not going to go for experience. I’m going to win,” she stated firmly. Her preparation

was thorough and constant. “I practised my introduction in the shower, on my way to work... I was determined to win this pageant. I was determined to take the crown and make my mother proud; my family proud.”

A platform for change

Nickell’s pageant win has become more than just a personal achievement; it’s a springboard for her mission to empower women in her community. “I think my platform—Economic Empowerment in Women in the Township of Blackfriars—is something important. I thought of ways where I can spread awareness and use my influence too,” she explained. Taking concrete action, Pugsley created “Empower Home FM,” a platform showcasing women entrepreneurs. “So far, I have featured two businesses, and I plan to do more.” She further added, “I love to empower women. I believe women need to be acknowledged more for their hard work and their achievements.” She said.

A legacy of leadership

Nickell’s drive to serve her community is deeply rooted in her family history. Her late grandfather, a Toshao and church chairperson, left an indelible mark on her approach to leadership. “My grandfather taught me that no matter what, you always go above and beyond for what needs to be done,” she stated.

Nickell’s mother’s entrepreneurial personality and drive also shaped her interest in women’s economic empowerment. “My mother is very hardworking. I remember in primary school, she would sell icicles to make extra money. She’s a teacher, but she always did business to provide for us.” Moving forward, Nickell hopes to see her venture extend beyond pageantry to inspiring the next generation. “I feel like younger girls need to be empowered. From what I have learned from a young age, I think younger girls need it too,” she asserted.

As she continues her work, Nickell remains grounded in her passions and principles while still appreciating the people who supported her. She encourages other women, regardless of their age, influence, or background, to be brave, work hard, and always strive to make a difference in their community. As she stated, “When I won this title, I gained a lot of influence. And the little girl in me, who was seven years old on stage, is proud, because look how far I’ve come.”

Nickell Pugsley, Miss Lethem 2024

Guyana’s Miss Global Internation Gears Up for Coronation Night (October 13)

Brings culture and grace to the international

GUYANA’S Arian Dahlia Richmond is taking the Golden Arrowhead to the Cayman Islands and beyond. Currently competing alongside 19 other contestants, Arian says the experience has been amazing so far, experiencing people, places and cultures while showing the world a bit about what it means to be Guyanese. As she moves forward to Coronation Night this evening (October 13), Arian is happy to be representing her country.

A cultural exchange

Talking to the Pepperpot Magazine from Hotel Indigo in the Cayman Islands, Arian says the experience has been phenomenal. “It’s my first time in the Cayman Islands, and it’s my first in-person international pageant. Why I say in-person is because I did an international pageant where Peru won, but it was virtual during the COVID-19 [Pandemic], so it was my first experience,” she stated.

She has won hearts overseas as well, garnering attention with her beauty, intellect and glowing personality. “Upon arriving here, people respect and love pageantry so much. It’s as if you’re a celebrity,” she said. “This has been such a great experience where your crown is honoured; your sash and country are honoured. It’s amazing.”

Arian continues to make an impact as she and her fellow competitors reached out to younger women and girls. “We spoke with girls from the RISE programme, which is a youth development programme in the high school, and … I almost cried because the young ladies are about 14-15. We had to impart on them one thing we wanted them to know. And my word of advice to them was to just go for it,” she said.

Beyond the glamour

However, the competitors also tackled harsher topics, with Arian highlighting issues facing women and young girls in the Caribbean. “There’s about two in five cases of sexual violence in the Caribbean, and it can lead to a mass case of depression among young women and hyper-sexualising of children. With therapy and support from the community, we can re-integrate those children back into society, and they can do so much more than just be victims,” she said.

The experience has also been an intriguing exchange of cultures, with Arian making an extra effort to teach others what it means to be Guyanese while taking in new traditions and customs along the way. “The Guyanese community here has been so amazing. They always come, they hug me, they take pictures with me,” she said. “I didn’t realise Jamaica and Guyana have so much in common. Miss Jamaica [my roommate] has been so sweet and supportive. I have found a friend forever.”

Arian has been much more than showing off her flag; she has made Guyana the focal point of every aspect of the competition. Her most recent homage to Guyana was her talent night act last Thursday evening (October 10), which saw her highlight a Guyanese legend, Eddie Grant. As the big night approaches, contestants are getting ready to showcase their culture in all its authenticity and vibrancy. “We’re going to be doing our opening number, our final question, and the top three from the talent will redo their talent,” she said.

Arian’s national costume, which is an integral part of Sunday’s event, was designed by Roberto Teekah and Quinton Pearson. A massive and bold piece, Arian says she hopes it will reflect the beauty of Guyana. Amidst the excitement of it all, however, Arian says there are some challenges. Although she has been one of Guyana’s most recent queens to have garnered support, she says it’s not as easy as it seems. “This is not a game. This is taxing on your mental and physical. My feet are swollen on a daily basis. My toes are blistered. I could be hungry and I’m still out there smiling. I could be thirsty. I could just finish crying. But when I lift that crown on my head, nobody knows,” she said.

Arian’s love for her country and the identity it has shaped

is why she continues to compete and represent her nation. Moving forward, as more of Guyana’s queens reach international levels, she hopes to see more support rallied behind them. “I think that we should never have another queen not have support,” she said.

Pageantry is more than smiles, costumes and waves. Our Queens, like Arian, are international ambassadors, pushing the essence of Guyana to the world. “I need people to rally behind our national ambassadors more. You never know when you send a queen out who they will meet and what they can bring back,” she said. Guyanese everywhere can get virtual tickets to witness the event online at missglobalinternational.com and eventproxy.com.

stage

Guyana’s Arian Dahlia Richmond.

We again live in the strange age of the Hunter-Gatherers & Shapeshifters

PERHAPS we were always closer to our pre-historic ancestors than we thought. Most likely, it was intruding moments that enabled us to discover kindness and feel the fleeting emotions that led to more cordial considerations. For now, we are aware that all animals share emotions, awareness, and even advanced intelligence.

about the socially successful ones; not the scamps, liars and perverts. But their genes are floating around, too, and this age allows them a pseudo-reincarnation; if pseudo, it is.

Today, we have an effective tool called the Internet that is used to communicate and to provide freedom of speech and belief, and a bit

protecting”.

We must now condition the next generation through practical logic with sound principles. The Internet can be child-friendly, but we must be realistic that other, not-so-child-friendly attractions also exist. Thus, they need your guidance, not your help. They can find what you don’t think exists.

What has enabled Mankind is the ability to stare and question the Cosmos, and, in some cases, interpret the seasons, evolve with creation gods, and somehow develop an intellect that created demons and protective gods. We have read of the blood-stained history of our ancestors. Somehow, we have construed that this creative energy that we call our God is within us. We have come to understand that our family tree is called a genetic stream at this age, but even with further clarification, that our children are not our direct genes, but also of those much older ancestors; even the ones no family likes to talk about… Oh yes, we only talk

of espionage. It has posted a revolution of values for many of us, and it’s tremendously informative. I had lost my previous phone, but information came up that was posted on my previous instrument in 2021 when I bought another instrument two years later. Many arguments, if correct, surprisingly denote that we’ve retrogressed to a level of deterioration that, if not arrested, can be irreversible. We must embrace the young world and discuss the threats that they are facing. In the whole, go back to “old school values”: Who to talk to, who not to talk to; let them spend time at home, because some other supposedly safe place might have a ‘shapeshifter’ that “duh senior relative deh,

Your guidance is your choice of content and other interests like books and games. Justify platforms of interest with your policing. It means that you have got to become aware by scrutinising. If you’re semi-clueless like me, get help on what to subscribe to; it’s not too expensive. But don’t just leave them alone and foolishly hope for the best. They’ll find all kinds of stuff you don’t want them to find.

The curiosity of the young is unquenchable; it is part of who humans are. It would be hypocrisy for any of us to say that we did not dare. I can remember in

Battles that never end

HUMAN beings are different from each other. This is a seemingly benign fact that influences most of the interactions we have every day. However, this singular fact has caused conflict, wars and a plethora of social issues ever since the beginning of human existence. For many years, our world has worked to ‘correct’ this fact. By encouraging people to fit into a specific mould, it attempted to eradicate the differences which seemed to cause so many problems. After understanding that this approach only breeds more discomfort and problems, we have finally come to a very important realisation - the issue is not the differences in people but the failure to accommodate and accept them.

Only a century ago, the majority of the world’s population was prevented from enjoying some of the most fundamental rights. Many of us could not vote, many of us could not receive a quality education, and many of us could not even live freely. The most appalling aspect of these issues is the fact that they were seen as an acceptable and normal part of life for the people who experienced them. These problems were not seen as affecting human beings as a whole but rather only a small part of it. Those who had the power to bring immediate change were not a part of this group and, hence, did not understand the urgency of change.

The most important advantage of being part of this young generation is that we are recipients of the fruits of several successful battles. Many of the small pleasures that we enjoy in our daily lives would have taken the form of lengthy struggles and suffering in the past. The very fact that we can freely discuss matters of rights or prejudice is a testament to the effort that was placed into creating a better life for us. Our rights are no longer a topic of debate because our ancestors fought for them to be protected. Our paths are no longer difficult because our ancestors paved the way for us. Our opportunities are no longer limited because our ancestors opened a multitude of doors for us.

As we look back at our past, we can undisputedly point out periods of human cruelty that have influenced our current identity as the human race. Now that there is a comfortable buffer of time between the present and the past, we are free to ask ourselves, how could we have justified and allowed certain events to occur when they were so blatantly brutal? Yet, we cannot look at the present world and say with honest certainty that the very occurrences of the past that we condemn today are not still taking place. Perhaps they are hidden or surviving at a smaller scale, but we are not at liberty to believe that the darkest parts of the past do not still exist.

We are often taught that the only way to prevent history from repeating itself is to learn to remember our past. Thus, even though we are young and not responsible for the tragedies of the past, we are still tasked with the heavy burden of remembering the failures and errors of the past. In truth, there is no use in remembering the past if we are not also paying attention to the things that are happening in the present. In simpler words, we quite clearly remember that people have suffered in the past, and we recognise the factors that caused this suffering. Yet, people are still suffering today, oftentimes in the same manner that those in the past did, and we, as young people, are either indifferent or ignorant of these occurrences.

There was suffering in the past because people lacked connection and could thus not understand what it felt like to live in another person’s shoes. Today, it is easier for us to connect with each other and understand what life can be for different people. There is simply no reason for people to continue to struggle and suffer. Our race, gender, religion and many other differences are the pieces of our collective identity that make us human beings. The battles of the past will never end as long as even a single person is still being discriminated against for their identity. This world is our home. It is our responsibility, as young people, to ensure that it feels like a home to everyone who lives in it.

World Food Day 2024: Securing the Right to Food for All

THE Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the world’s farmers produce enough food to feed the global population. Yet, 733 million people still face hunger due to various factors, including repeated climate shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic.

World Food Day 2024 is being observed under the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.” This theme underscores the fundamental human right for everyone to access diverse, nutritious, affordable, and safe food. Despite the abundance of food produced globally, barriers such as poverty, inequality, inefficient food distribution, and the escalating effects of climate change prevent millions from exercising this basic right.

Addressing these challenges demands a concerted global effort to build more resilient and sustainable food systems that leave no one behind. Collaboration among governments, organisations, communities, and individuals is essential to prioritise food security and address the root causes of hunger. Key to overcoming these obstacles are innovative solutions, investment in agriculture, climate-smart practices, and policies that ensure fair access to resources. By empowering local farmers, strengthening supply chains, and

REVISITING THE TOPIC OF MANGROVES

THIS column will again touch on Mangroves because of its importance historically, socially and economically.

Albouystown offers the best property investment in Georgetown

When the Dutch colonisers first visited Guyana in the

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

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

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

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

THIS column has already written about Albouystown, but the milieu is moving so fast in that ward that it requires another offering to keep abreast of what is happening now. Within the last year, a select number of investors have quietly begun to acquire properties in Albouystown. This choice of investment is due to a number of factors that the less discerning are unaware of.

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

In the first instance, the prices of Alboutstown properties, so far, are lower than in other parts of the city. In the second instance, the State has remade the road and drainage systems in the ward, investing several billion dollars in this development. When property owners realise that these billions are to be added to the value of their properties, prices will certainly increase. But probably, the greatest increase in property value, which has so far not been reflected in property prices, is the geographic situation of Albouystown.

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

Albouystown is situated within walking distance of the markets, the business areas of the city, the main law courts, and the main health and educational facilities. It offers the quickest route to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and to the burgeoning business corridor along the East Bank Demerara, including the onshore oil developments on the East Bank. And it is also within easy reach of the West Coast onshore oil developments.

Much of the massive workforce of the East Bank would prefer to live in Albouystown, where they could easily and cheaply commute to their workplaces, once they find comfortable and safe homes. This potential rental market offers a lucrative investment opportunity to the investor.

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

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

Let us examine a hypothetical investment: A half-lot usually measures 66 feet by 100 feet (sometimes 130 feet), and is sold from $15 to $18 million. This half-lot could accommodate two three-or-four-storey blocks of flats with parking space for several vehicles, a watch house in front, and some land to plant a few trees. These flats would be in a gated community. The inhabitants would comfortably drive into Independence Boulevard to get into the city or on the East Bank, and would no longer have to navigate through the narrow and crowded Sussex Street.

The State should assume a leadership role in this renewal project of Albouystown, since it has already initiated involvement by rebuilding the roads and drains of the ward. The State should declare Albouystown as a “Zone of Development”, and among the activities which could be done in achieving this intention is by according income tax holiday for ten years to investors/developers, and contributing some building materials to projects as is being done for house-lot allottees.

If the State were so involved, the transformation of the ward would begin; the appellation of “Slum Area” given to Albouystown would disappear in six to eight years, and an event of historical importance would be achieved.

In this renewal of Albouystown, the M&CC must play an essential complementary role: It will not increase taxes on properties which have been given an income tax rebate; it would ensure that all buildings in every yard did not infringe the city’s by-laws and building codes; properties which have not paid taxes for many years or have been abandoned should be put on Execution Sale; and houses which require demolition should be methodically demolished.

Albouystown is not endemically a slum area, and this means it could be restored to its former status of being a regular ward of the city. In 1905, when the suburban village of Albouystown was absorbed into the city, it was regarded as an enhancement. Every yard had one house, often with a tenant living below. There were a variety of fruit trees

World Food Day ...

reducing food waste, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.

Guyana’s Commitment to Food Security through LCDS 2030

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable development, prioritizing economic growth while protecting the country’s rich natural resources. At its core, LCDS 2030 seeks to transform Guyana’s economy by reducing carbon emissions, preserving biodiversity, and creating new opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable forestry, and climate-resilient agriculture.

By promoting a green economy, LCDS 2030 not only balances economic growth with environmental protection but also strengthens the foundation for food security. Through

innovative agricultural practices, efficient use of natural resources, and support for local food production, the strategy directly addresses the challenges of building a resilient food system. Here’s how it tackles critical aspects of food security and agriculture:

1. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: LCDS 2030 emphasises the importance of developing climate-resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts. The strategy aims to protect agricultural areas and support farmers in adopting techniques that reduce the impact of climate change on crop yields, ensuring a stable food supply despite climate uncertainties.

2. Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The strategy highlights the need for sustainable management of natural resources to support agriculture. By promoting the responsible use of resources like water and soil, and integrating agroforestry, Guyana aims to enhance local food production while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

3. Promoting Local Food Production and Community Involvement: LCDS 2030 promotes local food production and encourages active community participation. By leveraging local resources and reducing dependence on imported foods, the strategy seeks to make nutritious and diverse foods more accessible. Efficient water resource management is a key aspect, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. Additionally, the strategy fosters collaboration among local farmers, indigenous groups, and other stakeholders, promoting knowledge-sharing and strengthening local economies.

4. Agricultural Innovation and Research: Innovation is vital to improving crop yields, resource efficiency, and resilience to climate change. Research and technological advancements help farmers adopt sustainable methods such as drought-resistant crops, precision FROM PAGE XV

BLACK CROWS FLYING

PLANT A PINK ROSE FOR ME

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

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

What happened to her?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Betrayed by those who masqueraded as friends.

“Why? Where is my wrong?” were her soundless, agonising cries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God.

How, then, did evil interrupt her life?

No one had an answer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE woman, fair with slight oriental looks, stood alone at the top of a hard mud dam. She was not like the locals, a stranger from a foreign land, not lost, but there with a purpose.

Angela was her name, an Indo-Guyanese, mixed with European, Scottish and Chinese ethnicity going all the way back to colonial days.

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

“Interesting, our history,” she had always thought while growing up.

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

She took a deep breath and looked around the cemetery, a place where the grounds she had never walked but a place she knew in her heart she would have had to visit one day.

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

She had left the shores of this former British colony

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

A cynical smile played on Aryana’s lips as the viewing

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

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

Aryana watched her killers hurriedly leave and smiled,

when she was a young girl, and she is now returning after thirty years.

“Such a long time,” she mused, “It seems like a dream that I’m actually here.”

As the years went by, living in a new country, she nurtured in her heart the desire to come back home to visit. She wanted that nostalgic feeling of being home, to feel the thrill of a place she had never stopped loving. But she got no support from her family, whose main goal was to build a life in a foreign land.

“I will find my way one day,” she had promised herself. Now an adult, divorced and self-independent, she finally fulfilled that promise to herself. But sadly, there was now another reason for the trip.

She walked along the dam that was alongside a side lane with flowing brown water, and sugarcane plants stretching from its bank to the far horizon. She stopped once, looked around a little uncertainly, and then continued walking.

PLANT A PINK...

A little while later, she saw the gravesite.

Emotions she had kept in control for years rose slowly, sending a tremor through her body. She took a deep breath again and said quietly, “Hello, Nani, I’m here.”

Her grandmother had died ten years ago, and her ashes were flown home from America to be interred here because she too had desired to come back home. Angela had missed her so much; her precious memories gave her the will and strength to go on with her life, and she always won battles.

But unexpectedly, a major battle appeared from nowhere and blindsided her.

Breast cancer!

That diagnosis had hit her so hard it had left her mind numb, and her only thought was, “Oh God, I’m going to die soon, and I haven’t gone back home yet.”

She had thought of her Nani and somehow found the mental strength to pull herself up, one day at a time.

“This is the battle of my life,” she had told herself and fought hard through treatment, holding onto positive thoughts and hopes to live for each new day.

She sat there, now in the cemetery, in reflections, passing her hand slowly over the tomb.

“You were my everything from the time I was born. You never left me, then migration separated us until you came there too, but years later, death took you away.”

A lump formed in her throat, overcome by emotions, and after a while, she said, “I couldn’t say ‘goodbye’, Nani, wishing now just to hear your voice and your laughter and watch you work on your vegetable garden.”

Tears filled her eyes, remembering those wonderful days, and she voiced, “But you know what, I’m here now, close to you, close to everything I loved, and that is all I need for every day I live from now on.”

There was a light of determination in her eyes and in the tone of her voice, “Stay with me, Nani.”

A cool gust of wind blew across the cemetery, and Angela smiled, a happy feeling surging through her body. She hadn’t had that feeling in a long time, and she was not that enthusiastic. The cancer in her body had been diagnosed in time, giving her a fighting chance of surviving. But there were days when she had felt like giving up and accepting her fate. But a small, persistent voice always roused her from the slumber of her tired mind to keep on fighting.

“You were always a warrior, that I remembered,” she said with a little laugh.

She got up a little while later to leave, saying, “Tomorrow is a new day and every tomorrow therein, until my time is up and when that day comes, we’ll be together again. But for now, there are many things I have to do.”

In the next three weeks, with the help of a few cousins and paid labour, she managed to clean and repaint the tombs, including where her grandfather also lay. A new grillwork was installed, and flowers were planted.

Angela smiled with satisfaction, “Now I can live my life like I’ve never lived it before.”

The old country house where she had been born and lived all her life before migration was in bad shape, but she worked on the repairs and refurbishing to create a new outlook and comfort. She invited families who were still there and neighbours she knew for little get-togethers, visited her old school and made a monetary donation. She went shopping, walked around New Amsterdam, her old town, and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant.

In the evenings, she sat on the culvert, like in old times, enjoying the fresh, cool breeze and chatting with neighbours, laughing at jokes as they reminisced about the older people.

The beautiful little things of life are priceless on their own. She felt like coming home had given her a new lease on life like she wasn’t sick anymore, but in reality, the disease was still there.

Looking into the mirror, she saw someone new, not the woman with the dull eyes and wry smile but a woman with a light dancing in her eyes, a glow on her face and a happy smile. It was like tons of stress had fallen off her mind, and for the first time after the diagnosis, she felt free like a butterfly Time came close for her to leave, for her doctor’s appointment in New York awaited her.

At the cemetery, she said to her Nani, “My desire to visit home, again, was fulfilled, and I got to visit you, but I am not saying ‘goodbye’ for this disease is like a ticking bomb. One day we will be together again.”

She will tell her daughter, a doctor, that when it’s time, she lay her to rest next to her Nani and plant a pink rose for her.

FRM PAGE XVIII

Financial abuse needs more awareness Artificial Intelligence can snowball Guyana’s overall development

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

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

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

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

THE opposing arguments that surround Artificial Intelligence and its role in development remind me of early arguments against social media. Unfortunately, I think there is a lot of misinformation surrounding artificial intelligence (better known as AI). In recent times, AI has been transforming the global arena in every way possible. Computer systems can be designed to perform the tasks human intelligence can perform. That development is known as Artificial Intelligence. The performance of AI can span from reasoning, solving problems, understanding natural language and even recognising patterns. In fact, Google describes AI as the backbone of innovation in modern computing. AI is quite a broad field as well and includes various disciplines such as psychology, science, software engineering, and philosophy—just to name a few. Reactive, theory-of-mind, limited memory and self-awareness are the four common types of AI.

For the purpose of this week’s column piece, I do not want to fully focus on how AI is developed and why. The internet has many existing articles on those topics. Instead, I want to address the social implications and the arising arguments that surround these computer developments—especially as they relate to Guyana and our future developments. I started to hear the arguments about how detrimental AI can be after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students at universities, including Guyanese students, use AI software to write essays and answer test questions. Artificial Intelligence also seemingly made “perfect” factory robots. There is a large margin of job displacement since the expansion of AI technologies. These computer developments meant companies could utilise the technology instead of paying workers to complete certain tasks. Artificial Intelligence also seems to take away the authenticity of thoughts and creativity.

Many people are also concerned about security and cyber attacks. Similar to any computer system, it is still vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and if that happens, misinformation or threats can spread rapidly. In essence, it can be used as a weapon instead of a tool of development. These concerns are valid, and I completely understand them all. I, too, was skeptical about the use of AI in development. Nonetheless, I educated myself on its uses and implications, and it helped me draw my own conclusions. I want you all to also debunk the existing misinformation about AI and understand that we were once collectively skeptical about learning and adjusting to the use of social media as well. In fact, I remember my older family members once being skeptical about the use of cell phones, but with the awareness and consistent education about cellphone use—they drew their own conclusions as well. Today, many of them have a greater appreciation for cell phones. Simply put, we have to understand the advantages and disadvantages for ourselves to fully make a concise decision on how to use a particular technological development.

Guyana is still a developing country, and like many others, we can utilise AI to fast-track our progress. AI can be used in agriculture to help our farmers manage waste or monitor weather conditions in the agricultural sector. AI can be FRM PAGE

Artificial Intelligence can snowball Guyana’s...

FRM PAGE XXVIII

used right at our airports to help passengers check-in faster, and this will help boost our tourism industry. AI can be used to monitor social services and welfare programmes to ensure that faster service delivery is provided, which will help improve our safety net programmes. The use of AI can be used in schools to help students better understand concepts and diversify teaching methods. It can be used in a vast amount of areas to our advantage. However, it is up to us to understand what those advantages are and what the boundaries should be.

The threats of AI, as with any technological advances, should be highly monitored. I believe this is why social media platforms such as Facebook now alert their users of AI-created content so people can be aware of what authentic human-created content is and what is not. This allows for boundaries to be established and also gives the users a choice as to what they want to consume—AI-created or not. As such, if Guyana uses AI technology for snowball development, it should be similarly monitored. The implementations should also be planned ahead of time to ensure that it is the right course of action to develop and use. I believe if we’re to utilise AI effectively, we should also help resolve the challenges it creates simultaneously.

Social impacts such as job disparities, ethical considerations, plagiarism and privacy violations should be addressed at all levels as we utilise this new development of technology. It will take a collective effort to maximise the use of Artificial Intelligence while monitoring its risks, but I believe with much planning, consideration and awareness—Guyana can utilise these rapid technological developments to improve our existing sectors and even create new ones in the process.

World Food Day

FROM PAGE XVII

farming, and eco-friendly pest control. LCDS 2030 prioritises these innovations to ensure that food production becomes more efficient and environmentally responsible, benefitting both the economy and the planet.

A Call for Collective Action

Achieving global food security requires a united effort from all stakeholders to address the underlying challenges of climate change, inequality, and economic instability. World Food Day 2024 emphasises the need for every person to have access to diverse, nutritious, and affordable food. Strategies like Guyana’s LCDS 2030 play a crucial role in this fight by prioritising sustainable agriculture, local food production, and innovative solutions.

Guyana sets an example of how nations can integrate environmental sustainability with economic growth to build resilient food systems. The success of these efforts depends on collective action from governments, communities, and individuals to break down barriers to food access and ensure a better life and future for all.

We want to hear from you!

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment,” c/o Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown. You can also email us at communications@epaguyana.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on EPA’s efforts.

We again live in the strange ...

FROM PAGE VIII school, at about eleven or twelve years old, looking at a mini booklet a friend had stolen from a safe place that his father thought he had it in. The teacher was standing behind us, and we didn’t even realise that the rest of the class was also watching us in the backbench. Though we were ‘wild cane’ punished, we still spoke about the imagery we saw long after, and how the teachers who did not close the headmaster’s door while we were outside waiting were amused at our Playboy booklet, and how our friend cried ahead of his father being called to the school. What we learned in that period enabled us, as parents, to understand the edge between childhood and the danger of coerced ‘adulthood’; something too frequently abused and not considered. From the insensitive music in a minibus full of juveniles to the broken barriers of open conversations that should be closed. It will make life easier for us to understand from this short column and its title how to intercept what could evolve into an extended negative situation. If understood, it can direct focus, and help us to identify the “Shape Shifters”;dangerous folklore creatures that exist among us, that hide behind many personalities, appearing humanly normal. The ‘hunter-gatherers’ look back to the early human condition to do anything towards the triumph of survival, at any creature’s expense, among us today as part of our retrogressed human world.

Albouystown offers the best property ...

FROM PAGE XVI

in every yard, where birds frequented or even nested. Crime was unknown, and the population consisted of self-employed tradesmen, with a number working as stevedores on incoming ships. The ward was clean, and garbage was easily disposed of, since the rubbish incinerator was on the nearby Le Repentir grounds. Very few property owners ever owed taxes to the M&CC. The decline of Albouystown into a slum occurred in the 1960s as a result of the racio-political riots of those years.

There are still bargains that could be had, though some owners are beginning to hold on to their properties, knowing that there would be an eventual price rise, and this is particularly true on Independence Blvd. It would be a very salutary experience for residents from other parts of the city and prospective investors/developers to visit Albouystown.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-

STUDY SUCCESS

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

OCTOBER 13, 2024

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

Love you.

THE PASSSAGE

A.. Reading for comprehension

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

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

Read aloud. ...

Find the main idea. ...

Find supporting details. ...

Recognise story structure and key points. ...

Use graphic organisers. ...

Answer questions. ...

Generate questions. ...

Summarise what you have read.

Practise using new vocabulary

Build background knowledge

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

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

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

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

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

Questions:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRAMMAR

Sentence structure

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

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

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

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

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

(D) The sentence is acceptable as it stands.

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

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

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

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

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

Serious gum disease

ALTHOUGH I have dealt with this topic before, I am convinced that it needs more amplification due to its immense significance. Periodontitis is commonly called gum disease and is not something you want to have, mainly because it is an inflammation which creates circulating substances called proinflammatory cytokines, which the liver modifies into c-reactive protein (CRP), a very dangerous entity. CPR causes clotting and, depending on where the clot occurs, can result in a heart attack, a stroke, a deep vein thrombosis in a leg, or even a pulmonary embolus. Since CRP level is increased, and since gum disease is a major producer of inflammation throughout the body, and therefore, a major contributor to increased CRP levels in most people, we need to focus our attention on total body inflammation in order to reduce those levels.

What’s so bad about gum disease? After all, most people who have it do not experience any pain whatsoever, and so it seems not to be a bother at all. Well, hundreds of studies have looked at different aspects of the gum disease – systemic disease connection and have found it can be a causative factor in a heart attack or stroke, two of the top three causes of death. Studies have shown that gum disease can increase the risk of a heart attack by 200 to 400 percent, as well as double the risk of stroke. Infant mortality is affected by gum disease sites. Mothers can experience premature birth or low birth weight babies. Other studies have shown that gum disease can make arteriosclerosis and diabetes worse and can even contribute to lung disease caused by breathing in (aspirating) pneumonia-causing organisms.

The medical profession is currently concluding that high CRP levels are as serious a threat to health as high cholesterol (an acknowledged cause of heart attacks and strokes), and doctors are beginning to screen for this blood element as part of regular health checkups. CRP has even made it into Readers’ Digest in a short piece stating that CRP testing “may be getting ready for prime time” because it is a highly predictive marker for signs of inflammation. Since CRP is produced in the liver, and this production is triggered by inflammation anywhere in the body, a high CRP reading would be the result of that person’s total cumulative inflammation. Someone with severe arthritis, prostate inflammation, and healthy gums could have a high CRP reading, just as someone with severe periodontal disease and no arthritis or other inflammatory problems could. Regardless of the source, it all adds up, and high CRP is dangerous no matter what disease caused it. But, since gum disease is an inflammation-inducing condition that more people have than don’t, it must be considered a primary culprit in many disease processes, including that of elevated CRP levels. CRP levels are usually measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L), and as reported in an article in the San Antonio Express-News, CRP levels of less than one mg/L indicate a low risk of heart disease, and reading between 1 and 3 mg/L represent an average risk. CRP levels greater than three mg/L are at least twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as those in a low-risk group. The danger of gum disease to overall health is dose-related, which means the worse the gum disease, the greater the risk. Severe inflammation elsewhere in the body is serious as well.

It has been estimated that up to 400 specific types of microorganisms are commonly indigenous to the mouth, so with gum disease, there is a distinct likelihood that several types of those potentially hazardous microorganisms are circulating throughout the entire body, wherever the blood flow takes them. In a study reported in the October 2012 issue of Compendium, a postmortem examination of blood clots taken from arteries in the neck showed several types of disease-causing bacteria in the clots of 72 percent of the recently deceased test subjects (50 clots from the carotid arteries were evacuated during these autopsies).