The health of a community
How Mashabo’s health system has developed
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Senior health worker at Mashabo health centre, Faye Hendricks (Samuel Maughn photo)
Region Two Education Department hosts Literacy Exposition
By Inrawattie Natram
Scores of children gathered at the Department of Education’s Regional Literacy Unit exposition in Region Two on Friday to witness an array of creative learning tools designed to enhance classroom learning.
Regional Literacy Officer Ronald Ragoobeer explained that the event was part of the region’s Education Month activities. The exposition aimed to promote reading and writing, with children actively participating in activities such as writing and drawing at
A child at the booth
Children flocking the booths
Teachers during the literacy exposition
Bringing culture closer
Amerindian Art Exhibition 2024 seeking to celebrate and showcase
By Shaniya Harding
A VIBRANT blend of creativity and culture takes centre stage once again at this year’s Art Exhibition celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month. Over a dozen artists and sculptors have their work on display at Castellani House throughout September. The annual collaboration between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and Castellani House showcases some of Guyana’s finest creatives from all corners of the country.
of crafters, the exhibition allows for broader exposure. Pekahiah explained, “We’ve reached out to craftspersons and asked them to submit their best work. Instead of having entire collections, we’ve limited it to about one to three pieces each.”
She further added, “For this particular year, we had to reach out to the artists to see what sort of works they had available, whether or not it fit the theme, and then select works based on that.”
The exhibition, held under the theme “Many Voices,
interactive installation has captivated most visitors. “It’s suspended from the ceiling, and you can tilt it left or right to hear the sound it makes. I had the time of my life with it,” Pekahiah enthused.
As a successful visual artist in her own right, Pekahiah emphasises the importance of public support. The response this year has been particularly encouraging, with more people reaching out to support the exhibit. “People appreciate that we’ve limited the number of crafts this year. They can clearly see
From traditional garments to breathtaking sculptures and paintings that offer a glimpse into indigenous traditions, this year’s exhibition has received a great reception from the public, with several pieces already sold. Pekahiah James, the curator of the event for the second time, says the mission remains consistent: to provide Guyanese artists with a platform and offer visitors an opportunity to experience their creative expressions of Indigenous culture, ultimately bringing people closer to that heritage. Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine, Pekahiah elaborated, “The exhibition focuses on the heritage and culture of the indigenous people of Guyana, encompassing all nine nations.”
Inclusion is a defining theme this year, with more artists participating than in previous years. Unlike past exhibitions, more crafters and their works were included. By featuring fewer pieces from a larger number
One Song,” embodies the celebration of unity in diversity. Pekahiah shared her interpretation: “The idea of ‘Many Voices, One Song’ reflects how we can gather so many perfect examples of Indigenous heritage, traditions, and cultures and combine them into this beautiful presentation.”
She further added that the exhibition serves as a bridge connecting Guyanese across the country, allowing those in the capital to experience a slice of life from the Rupununi or Pomeroon. “Unless you’re willing to make that trip to Indigenous villages or go out of your way to be involved in Indigenous activities, it’s not something you can experience on a day-today basis,” Pekahiah noted.
The exhibition showcases diversity through pieces made from different mediums, each with its own meaning, representation, and interpretation. One standout piece, a favourite of Pekahiah’s, is “The rain stick” by McKernan Albert. This
ana’s diverse cultural tapestry, the exhibit is open to the public during afternoon hours. Pekahiah urges visitors to appreciate the value, intricacies, and significance of every piece, understanding that each one brings them closer to a different culture. She concluded, “People often undervalue the arts, and I think that comes from a lack of understanding of its importance. Here, you
the focus is on craftsmanship, which is exactly what we intended to highlight,” she shared.
The annual event has garnered interest from various artists, both veterans and newcomers. While new artists see it as a way to gain exposure, there are those whose work is featured yearly. Pekahiah explained, “For Indigenous artists who might not have access to a platform, this annual exhibition gives them something to prepare for, to showcase their traditions, culture, and pride.”
The inspiring exhibit is also a personal venture for Pekahiah. Having graduated from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts two years ago, she sees this as the next step in her already vibrant career. “I felt the administrative side of the art field is where I could probably do the most and help the most. I’m still learning as a curator,” she admitted.
For those hoping to glimpse a vital part of Guy-
are seeing traditions, heritage, culture, and years of craftsmanship passed down through generations.”
The “Many Voices, One Song” theme resonates throughout the exhibition, highlighting the unity within diversity that characterises Guyana’s indigenous peoples. For Pekahiah and the artists involved, this exhibition is more than just a display of art – it’s
a bridge between past and present, a dialogue between cultures, and a celebration of identity. As the month of September progresses, the hope is that each visitor will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of Amerindian heritage, carrying with them a piece of this rich cultural tapestry.
The Art Exhibition currently underway at Castellani House in honour of Amerindian Heritage month (Delano Williams photos.)
A few of the paintings at this year’s exhibition
‘IBC catalyst for greater regional collaboration and investment’ …TT High Commissioner to Guyana
HIS Excellency Conrad Enill, High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Suriname, has called on businesses across the Caribbean and the international community to seize the immense opportunities presented by the upcoming International Business Conference (IBC) 2024. Emphasising the importance of collaboration in today’s interconnected global market, Enill hailed the IBC as a pivotal platform for driving regional economic growth, strengthening partnerships, and fostering investment.
In a press release, Enill highlighted the enduring bilateral relationship between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, which has thrived for over 60 years. He underscored the deep-rooted ties in trade, culture, and investment that have long supported both nations through challenging times. “Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have stood by each other, and I see no reason why this bond will not continue to flourish,” he said, noting that these historical ties are poised to evolve with the current wave of economic development, particularly in the energy sector.
One of the key areas of potential collaboration discussed by Enill is the energy sector, where Trinidad and Tobago’s decades of experience in oil and gas could significantly bolster Guyana’s burgeoning industry. “The expertise that Trinidad brings, particularly in quality and safety standards, will have long-term benefits for Guyana’s energy sector as it continues to grow,” he remarked. He further highlighted that Trinidad’s robust manufacturing sector—often overshadowed by its oil and gas prominence—offers valuable expertise that could contribute to Guyana’s industrial development.
“The IBC provides an invaluable opportunity for businesses within CARICOM and beyond to forge new partnerships, scale up operations, and tap into emerging markets that were once out of reach,” Enill stated. He emphasised the importance of platforms like the IBC in fostering business-to-business networking, noting that the event is particularly well-positioned to benefit small and medium-large enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand their reach in the global marketplace.
Enill pointed out that Guyana’s rapid economic growth has created significant opportunities for foreign direct investment
(FDI) in sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, and renewable energy. He highlighted, “What you will see at the international business conference is that knowledge will be shared, and that experience will allow for the learning curve to be less steep than it ordinarily would be.”
In a clear call to action, Enill stressed the need for a shift from competition to collaboration as the new paradigm for economic success in the region. “The old way of doing business was grounded in competition, but today, collaboration is essential. The IBC offers a platform for us to pool our
resources, strengthen our collective capabilities, and elevate the Caribbean’s standing in the global market,” he concluded.
As the International Business Conference 2024 approaches, it promises to be a landmark event that will reshape the business landscape across the Caribbean. With high-level discussions, targeted networking opportunities, and avenues for foreign investment, the IBC is set to play a crucial role in advancing regional development, fostering new business partnerships, and driving economic growth.
His Excellency Conrad Enill, High
Mashabo A blossoming paradise on the
THE striking beauty and vibrant natural diversity of Mashabo are unparalleled. A notable name along the Essequibo Coast, Mashabo is one of those communities that display the true uniqueness of Guyana, home to savannahs, lakes, and hills. Boasting a population of just over 500 people, the community has drastically developed over
am the newly elected Toshao for the very first time. I just want to say thanks to my people who have made this choice to place me here as a leader.”
Henry wears many hats in the community and now dedicates himself to his family and the village. As he shared with the Pepperpot Magazine, having long been passionate about the village,
growing population. As the Toshao stated, “Mashabo became a developing community not too long ago. When I came to Mashabo, Mashabo had only approximately 18 to 20 families. But today, Mashabo has approximately 130 families. The population has grown to what we have now, presently, 516 community residents.”
Reminiscing about his
Essequibo Coast
an indigenous community, with various systems being introduced to tackle the village’s unique environment. Projects like the community’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub, health centre, and upgrades in education have all played a role in developing the quality of life in Mashabo. As Hendricks added, “As we look back, Mashabo keeps
the years, with more investments being made. Now, the community is optimistically looking forward, with the Toshao of the community saying Mashabo’s plan is simple: develop, unite, and modernise.
Toshao of the community, Henry Hendricks, fell in love with Mashabo more than three decades ago when his first wife introduced him to the village. Now, he stands as Toshao of a community that became his home and so much more. As he stated, “I
he was still pleasantly surprised at the opportunity to step up to the plate, “I am so surprised that at this age, at the age of 61, to be still a leader for Mashabo. And also, I am an elder for the Mashabo Seventh-day Adventist Church, supporting not only the village but also in a religious way.”
Like a few of the nation’s more far-flung villages, the community went undeveloped for quite some time. In recent years, changes in systems have been a massive boost for Mashabo and its
early years in the village, Hendricks is proud of the changes the community has seen, with some areas like transportation being completely upgraded and revamped. As he explained, “When I came here first, we didn’t have outboard engines. We had these dugout canoes. I used to paddle to go across the lake. But today, we have better access, where the government tried to assist us with some modernising systems.”
Beyond the life of the residents, the community continues to see support as
developing gradually. Not only with the residents but also with new developments within the Amerindian community.”
With a natural landscape as breathtaking as Mashabo’s, it’s a wonder why more tourists don’t flock to its white sandy beaches. Although the potential for tourism exists in the community, it is a new area the village is exploring with recent changes. As the Toshao explains, developing the necessary infrastructure is the first step in the right direction. “Tourism could be one of the beneficiaries in Mashabo. We have a big lake, so if we could create things like regatta sessions open a place for regattas, we could have more people coming to Mashabo.”
Most of these steps are already in this direction, says the Toshao, as he stated, “We
Toshao of the community, Henry Hendricks (Samuel Maughn photos)
The Mashabo village Guest House
Building a Brighter Future
A community’s commitment to learning
By Shaniya Harding
WE HAVE all heard about the steadfast importance of education from parents, aunts, uncles, or community elders. However, schooling in far-flung communities can be challenging, where the commute to school is two hours longer and by boat rather than bus. These adversities have been tackled head-on by the people of Mashabo, both teachers and students alike. As educators venture into the community to teach at primary and secondary levels, high schoolers make the daily commute out of the village. The village is now working on a new project for its education sector, training young men and women from their community as teachers. They say education is the pillar of every society, and Mashabo is on a mission to strengthen those pillars.
No stranger to the Pepperpot Magazine, headteacher at Mashabo Primary, Modi Beepat, says the village’s education sector has grown along with the population, with more teachers being brought in to educate more
today I’m still teaching here at Mashabo Primary. Teaching has been an enjoyable job over the years. I have really enjoyed it.”
Assessing the village’s success in education, the community has done much more than come a long way; they have risen to the standard of any other school along the Essequibo coast—a goal once deemed impossible. Sir Beepat shared, “When we came here in 2013, we didn’t have passes for about 30 years to Secondary School. And so we decided to work with the teachers, and no one person can do it by themselves. We worked with the Ministry of Education and donor agencies like the Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association. We all worked together, and we were able to achieve success in 2018 after 30 years of no passes.”
Today, Mashabo is striving to have more teachers from within the community. The young people are stepping up to the plate, with several young men and women currently attending Cyril Potter’s College of Education. As stated by the headmaster, “When I started working
numerous interventions. They introduced the teachers’ cash grant. All the classrooms are child-friendly, and this has also helped to increase attendance. When pupils feel comfortable, they want to be there in the classrooms.”
The community now has more teachers than ever, and as the standard of education develops, so does the reception of pupils and parents. Mashabo now seemingly has a revitalised ambition for academic excellence among its children. Sir Beepat stated, “We have good cooperation here from the teachers, the parents, the pupils. There is no form of indiscipline among the pupils. They are very disciplined and dedicated. Attendance is really good—we have an attendance of over 90%.”
Major infrastructural investments have also been made, with the introduction of a village ICT hub and the Guyana Learning Channel, both of which are powered by solar energy. As the headteacher stated, “More recently, we had the introduction of internet service at the school. So, pupils now have access to the internet. It’s good inter-
across the country. The pupils not only see the teachers at school but also teachers countrywide with a lot of resources. This is a boost for our teachers.”
children. A son of the Essequibo Coast, ‘Sir Beepat’ started teaching right out of school, igniting a childhood passion. As he shared, “I started teaching in 1999. I have been teaching all my years so far. I started at Primary first, then at Mashabo Primary here, and then at Smith Memorial Primary in Georgetown. I returned here to Mashabo, and
here, we only had one teacher from the community—an untrained teacher. Today, 50% of the staff are residents of the community. My aim is that before I leave here at Mashabo, we want 100% of the teachers to be residents and manage the school by themselves.” He further added, “The government has
net, where pupils can actually do research and find things out for themselves. That has helped us to use an inquiry approach in teaching.” He further stated, “In addition to that, the government has launched the Learning Channel at the school. We have three televisions, and we log in with other schools
In a village like Mashabo, schools are vital to the development of the community. This is why the school is working along with the government to be that second home to children, with more hot meals being provided for the children. As shared by Sir Beepat, “Very importantly, our school is having a feeding programme. That feeding programme has helped tremendously with attendance. Prior to 2024, it only catered for a lunch, a hot meal. But now, it’s been expanded to include breakfast for the pupils, which has increased attendance.”
There are countless differences between life in Mashabo and life elsewhere on the Essequibo coast, but the village is adamant about being up to par in education and the skills of its people. Tranquillity and beauty are just a few more things Mashabo has to offer. As Sir
Beepat shared, “There are lots of differences between living on the East Coast and in Mashabo. One of the biggest is peace. It’s very peaceful here, very scenic. We don’t have parents coming in to bombard teachers or beat them up. The pupils are very disciplined and listen to the teachers.”
Education is, without a doubt, important and comes with a variety of challenges from community to community and from child to child. Mashabo is taking what can only be called a collaborative effort, showing that it really does take a village to raise a child. As Sir Beepat emphasised, education is vital—it’s the pillar of any community. At school here, we try our utmost to ensure pupils are able to read first. You learn to read, and then you read to learn. Once pupils have a proper education, they can become anyone they want to be.”
Headteacher at Mashabo Primary, Modi Beepat (Samuel Maughn photos)
Mashabo Primary School
The health of a community
How Mashabo’s health system has developed
By Shaniya Harding.
LOOKING at the country’s healthcare system today, it may not be easy to see just how far Guyana has come, but what about on a smaller scale? This week, the Pepperpot Magazine ventured to the riverain village of Mashabo, where healthcare is still developing with the village’s people at its helm.
Across a lake that stretches more than ten miles lies the community of Mashabo. The last decade has seen the village undergo several changes in many areas, with transportation, education, and agriculture continuing to innovate and diversify. One of the village’s biggest hurdles, however, has been healthcare.
For a community that was once only accessible via a few speedboats, health was a challenge. However, the men and women of Mashabo have not let this stop them.
With hopes of modernising the sector, the people of Mashabo continue to strive. Resident healthcare worker, Faye Hendricks, shares how healthcare in the community has developed and what the people of the village are doing to give back. Mashabo is most often praised for its tranquillity, but this peace and quiet come at a cost. Faye Hendricks, raised in the community of Mashabo, has seen the community’s healthcare system go from lacking basic drugs to being capable of having its own outreaches and impactful initiatives. Recounting the early challenges in healthcare, Faye stated, “Years ago, under the past healthcare worker, getting things like drugs in the community was very hard. We did not have transportation like we do today, so it was difficult getting things in and out of the village.”
Healthcare is not the
only thing that has changed over the years; the way of life has also seen a major shift over the decades. Faye describes growing up in Mashabo as good, simplistic, but enjoyable. Still housing a vibrant agricultural presence, for most of the village’s history, farming was the obvious choice for work, with young women undertaking the occasional teaching and nursing opportunities, both of which required them to leave home.
Passionate about giving back to her community, Faye initially pursued a career in teaching. As she shared, “At first, I was very eager to become a teacher. I wanted a job, and I wanted to give back to my community.” Her efforts at becoming a teacher were unfulfilled as she grappled with many of the challenges the community faced at the time. Faye’s aspirations of giving back
of health in the community, bridging the gap between the coast and the lakeside village. As she stated, “I said, you know what? I want to do something. I will just, you know, step over to the healthcare system. And this is when I got through.”
to her community were not entirely lost, however, as she saw her opportunity several years later in healthcare.
As the community’s healthcare worker came closer to retirement, the community was in search of someone to take her place. Seeking to take the opportunity, Faye furthered her education to be qualified for the job. A few years later, she stood at the forefront
Since then, the village has expanded the way it cares for its people. Presently, Mashabo’s health centre is more equipped than ever, with a few more staff and better access to hospitals on the coast, with Suddie being the closest and first choice. As Faye shared, “We find it easier for us now... Because before, for the vaccines, for example, people used to have to go to the coast at a hospital. But now we do it ourselves, here in the community. The retired healthcare worker, she had a really tough time.”
Now more capable than ever, Mashabo is able to take better care of its people. As emphasised by Faye, Mashabo now hosts its own initiatives, with the most recent being the vaccination against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). As the rest of
the country wages wars on various health challenges, Mashabo is no different. As Faye shared, “Right now, what we do now, we’re doing HPV vaccine, and we’re educating the parents and the children about HPV vaccine.” She further added, “We consult with the women, and the girls, and the boys, about actually preventing them from getting those things, like the wart. So, we just go to the heart and clean up, you know, the wart.”
The community is proud of the progress they have made, with the biggest achievement being able to increase accessibility to better healthcare. Citing the impact of governmental support, Faye stated, “I would like to thank the government for continuing to support us. And we’ll do the same thing for them.” She further added, “I can see a lot of improvement because we normally book for drugs... We book it, like, we book, like, two-month drugs. We’re having that on a two-month basis.”
The Mashabo Health Centre
Senior health worker at Mashabo health centre, Faye Hendricks (Samuel Maughn photos)
Returning to Inspire
Mashabo teacher shares how she is doing her part to build the community
By Shaniya Harding
COMMUNITY development is rooted in the very essence of the community itself. Villages, like countries, are developed by their people, with each individual contributing their part to give back. When twenty-one-year-old Bibianna Hendricks finished school, she knew she wanted to give back to her village of Mashabo.
A striking product of the village’s blossoming education system, Bibianna is just one of Mashabo’s ambitious young people. Part of a new generation of men and women, Bibianna says life in the community has improved, with the standard of living seeing small but significant changes. However, Bibianna and her peers do not intend to stop there. Inspired by their love for their community, the young people of
as pristine as it is peaceful. As a farming community, fruits and vegetables are always available to villagers and visitors alike. The village is somewhat self-sustaining as well, with the introduction of fishing as an agricultural sector. Electricity and transportation are areas where the people of the village say they have seen
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the biggest changes. Young teacher Bibianna Hendricks was born and raised in Mashabo. She described her childhood in the community as beautiful but not without its challenges. In earlier days, the village had fewer boats, which meant travelling in and out of the community was far more difficult. Financial challenges also served as stumbling blocks for some families, especially in the realm of schooling. As Bibianna explained, “My name is Bibianna Hendricks. I am a teacher at the Mashabo Primary School and also a resident of this beautiful village. I was raised in Mashabo.” She further stated, “Growing up in my community was fun.
further hidden and accessed by a twenty-minute boat ride through the village’s prized
munity is unique, with homes lining the hills, built both up and downhill. Mashabo’ses in the past, with the lake continually encroaching on
the savannah. The vibrant community has four major areas: the village centre or Mission, Waddaduri, High Hill, Hosannah Housing Scheme, and Kamuro. These areas are interconnected by wooden link bridges, a unique and captivating part of life in the community.
Life in the community is
Bibianna Hendricks
A group of Mashabo’s young men, many of whom are avid sportsmen (Samuel Maughn photos)
One of the bridges used by residents of Mashabo to commute throughout the
The new Mashabo Nursery School under construction
A hand-me-down world
EVERY few decades, a new generation of people marks the world with its own distinct flavour. It shapes the world to its liking and when it is time to move on, the next generation takes over. As the world exists today, it is at the cusp of being inherited by Generation Z (Gen Z). This is a massive responsibility that
leaves us trembling underneath its weight. Shaping a world is not the job of only a few leaders or activists. It is the responsibility of every single person who is
a part of a generation. So, how exactly is Gen Z going to shape this world?
Perhaps the answer lies in the simple act of learning to dream. Dreams are the fuel for change. Those who can dream for themselves will eventually learn to dream for a better world. For instance, our predecessors had dreams so rich and powerful that they built today’s world -- a world where we can fly across the sky in aeroplanes, or see what each planet looks like without moving an inch.
It is an unfortunate fact, however, that over the years, it has become increasingly difficult to survive as a dreamer. We are constantly swimming in seas of information. We are bombarded with news and new knowledge every single moment. Our mind is so busy sorting through so much material that it no longer has time to create any of its own. Further, our dreams and innovations are increasingly becoming centred on solving problems we have inherited from our predecessors. Thus, we simply have no energy to focus on dreaming of a better world. Climate change, deforestation, and pollution are only some of the never-ending battles that we face. We seem to have become a generation that is struggling to survive. We seem to have convinced
ourselves that the things we dream of will not exist past the boundaries of our imaginations.
The truth is, whenever a new generation takes over the world, it becomes different altogether. The world that is being handed down to Gen Z is teeming with technological advancements, unlike the one that our ancestors lived in.
Also, unlike our ancestors’ world, we battle a plethora of global and environmental problems whose roots begin long before our very existence.
To put it simply, we live in a hand-me-down world. The idea of ‘hand-me-downs’ is not unfamiliar, especially to those with siblings. Even expensive family heirlooms are, in their own way, a form of hand-me-downs. When we receive a hand-me-down, it may not be in mint condition, but it still has a life ahead of it and an important history behind it. We can most definitely point out every flaw in the jewellery pieces or feel irritated that one of the garments does not fit us correctly. Similarly, we can also place the article into the back of our closet and do nothing with it until it is time to pass it on to the next person.
However, if we do take a moment to tailor the clothes or polish the jewellery and add a new gemstone to it,
we may find ourselves with a perfectly good article that we can use and pass down once more. With just a little time and energy spent on it, an old and worn-out article can beautifully transform into something that represents us and our memories. This ‘hand-me-down world’ is filled with problems that we did not cause and dreams that we may not get to make. The world we have received from our predecessors is most definitely not in the same condition that they received it. However, this does not change how truly and deeply our planet is connected to us all. The problems that we face today are simply errors or by-products of the dreams for a more beautiful home. If we only direct a little bit of our attention towards correcting some of these flaws, we will find ourselves on a planet in which we can thrive. If we simply refuse to allow the flaws in our world to keep us from dreaming and innovating, then we may eventually find that the problems we have inherited are miniscule compared to the feats we can accomplish. Most importantly, we can create a home where future generations can also dream and thrive without a single obstacle to block their path.
THE KURU-KURU CO-OP MOVEMENT OF THE ’70s
RECENTLY, the co-operative movement was in the air, mentioned fondly by the current Minister of Labour, and it raised memories, some of which I’ve written about in this column. I was part of a youth pioneer group that had volunteered to be trained towards an Agro-Industrial Co-op society. I’m not sure, but I think that it was a project between USAID and the young Guyana Government, which had just turned a Republic in 1972.
We were given a stipend and trained under the guidance of several professionals in the necessary skills. Of our senior guidance staff were Skipper Gordon, who was in charge overall, Rigby Dover, our manager, and Lakeram Persaud, who taught us book-keeping, among others, whose names I can’t remember at this time. Though we raised pigs and planted vegetables on the highway, vegetable-growing soil was accessed through brush clearing by hand rather than by heavy equipment, so as not to lose functional soil for our needs. Our best-
seller was chickens. Our training covered livestock husbandry, accounts, and a basic relationship with the construction of necessary support buildings for livestock, as well as fostering an understanding between us and the animals that inhabited the forested areas that surrounded our spartan living quarters.
One of our first bad experiences with our forested neighbours was when the first chicken pen as built. The carpenter in charge bought some cheap wire fence to save from the budget he had applied for. The pens were built and the chickens were placed in them. Then, the ocelots had a field-day feast. The carpenter was sacked, and eventually, a new pen was built. The chickens came later. We had erected a guard hut watching our chicks. We requested a firearm, but Skipper Gordon sucked his teeth and gave us a portable power lamp and said,“Yuh come and live in ‘Tiger-Cat’ village now yuh want to murder he when he come fuh share?”
We had a guard hut
watching over the new pen and chicks, and as the first watch was changed, there were two ocelots. They tried, but the new mesh was on top of the game. We did as was suggested and shone the power lights on them. We received about 20 minutes of Tiger-Cat “busing” then they retreated. We discussed it with Mr Glasow during the week, who was the only man we knew who was planting pineapples in that part of the highway. He smiled and told us, “Yuh boss is a wise man.’’
KAYS, or the KuruKuru Agro-Industrial Young Settlers Cooperative, was official by 1973. The policy was that we do as much business with fellow co-ops. We broke those rules within the same year (1973). The co-ops probably didn’t have our training. We had to ambush some of them to get paid, unlike dealing with the elder brother from Blair’s Delight, among other folks who would come in, place an order and return, pay and collect. We closed off the Co-op Complex based on how they handled our
tomatoes upon delivery, though they paid. We got a better price at Bourda Market. Contextualising the co-op movement to -
day with strict laws, including jail time for some violations, will empower unemployed citizens across the nation and offer
services making right the term (charity, or rather, employment in this case, best begins at home.)
Ozone: Protecting Today for Life Tomorrow
THIS year, under the theme “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action,” Guyana proudly joins the global community in highlighting the critical importance of protecting the ozone layer.
Guyana is among the nations committed to reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), in alignment with the Montreal Protocol. This effort is spearheaded by the National Ozone Action Unit (NOAU) within the Hydrometeorological Department, which oversees the implementation of the Protocol. Ozone depletion remains a significant environmental challenge, as it increases the amount of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. This, in turn, elevates the risk of skin cancer, eye cataracts, genetic mutations, and immune system damage, among other health and environmental consequences.
On September 16, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly designated this date as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. This landmark agreement, developed under the Vienna Convention adopted in 1985, followed the groundbreaking discovery by three British Antarctic Survey scientists, who identified unusually low levels of ozone over the South Pole. This discovery, widely known as the Ozone Hole, became a tangible example of
humanity’s capacity to damage the Earth’s atmosphere and a key milestone in global environmental advocacy.
What is the Ozone Layer, and Why is its Protection Important?
The ozone layer, often referred to as the ozone shield, is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3). In simpler terms, it is a thin barrier of gas high above the Earth that protects life by absorbing the majority of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
You may wonder why it’s so vital to protect the ozone layer. Substances like CFCs and similar chemicals released into the atmosphere contribute to its depletion. When these compounds reach the stratosphere, UV radiation breaks them down, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms are highly reactive with ozone, disrupting the delicate balance of the stratosphere’s chemistry.
Ozone depletion is more than just an environmental issue—it affects our daily lives. The thinning of the ozone layer allows harmful UV rays to penetrate Earth’s surface. Environmentally, these rays harm aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by altering growth patterns, food chains, and biochemical cycles. Marine life, especially plankton and algae, which form the foundation of the aquatic food chain, is particularly
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Ozone: Protecting Today...
vulnerable to high radiation levels. Agriculture is also impacted, as plant growth is stunted, potentially leading to reduced crop yields.
Socio-economically, ozone depletion poses serious threats to human health. Exposure to increased levels of UV radiation has been linked to a higher incidence of skin cancers, eye cataracts, and weakened immune systems. The heightened presence of UV rays also boosts the formation of ground-level ozone, contributing to respiratory problems.
Increased healthcare costs are a significant economic burden resulting from higher UV radiation exposure, for countries like Guyana, the costs associated with treating millions of additional cases of skin cancer and cataracts could place a strain on healthcare systems, particularly in less developed regions.
Let’s Pledge to Protect the Ozone Layer!
Here are some simple ac-
tions we can all take to help protect the ozone layer and safeguard our planet’s future:
• Conserve energy at home, at work, and everywhere.
• Look for ENERGY STAR labels when buying home or office equipment.
• Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.
• Follow gasoline refuelling instructions carefully to ensure efficient vapor recovery, avoid spills, and always tighten your gas cap securely.
• Consider purchas -
ing “spill-proof” portable gasoline containers where available.
• Keep your car, boat, and other engines properly tuned.
• Ensure your tires are properly inflated.
• Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible.
• Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste. Together, through small, everyday actions, we can continue to protect the ozone layer and secure a healthier, safer planet for future generations. FROM PAGE XII
Region Two Education Department...
various booths. Teachers from both the Primary and Nursery levels showcased creative and innovative teaching aids designed to impact classroom learning positively. Ragoobeer emphasised that children have the potential to learn and write, and when
teachers employ creativity, it can significantly boost this potential. He also highlighted that greater efforts will be made to improve literacy in the region further. This was the first event of its kind in Region Two, and Ragoobeer expressed hope that teachers would continue to be inventive in the classroom to inspire students.
He noted that children were using paintbrushes to create their own stories, adding a hands-on, artistic element to literacy development. Throughout the exposition, children were excited to explore the booths, which featured a variety of creative displays aimed at fostering a love for reading and writing.
Another booth at the event
FROM PAGE II
BLACK CROWS FLYING
PAINT A RAINBOW IN THE SKY
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. the night.
and colourless lips told a story of something cold.
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.
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.
friends, whom I trusted to take me home.”
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.
friends, Aruna and Preity, that night after the cultural pro gramme, 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.
nising cries.
are my God. I believed in you. Where were you when I cried for help?”
bent. There was no place in the world for her anymore.
their little girl.”
early the next morning. She stood there, unseen in her spiritual form, watching as the police cordoned off the area and can vassed 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.
words, sank to his knees and broke down, crying as he looked at her lifeless body.
voice breaking, “Why…why God? Why, my little girl?”
yet come home, her phone turned off, and her mother experi enced a deep feeling of dread, her father, brother and cousins had begun searching until daylight.
mother, who was waiting at home battling her fears? 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
Their story was that she had received a phone call on the
way home and asked them to stop for someone else to pick
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
She stretched her arms out, and from the abyss of death
“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
The sky rumbled, the water became restless, and the wind
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.
IN a land on the north-eastern coast of South America, once a lost world, a hidden paradise. But now, the eyes of the world have been opened to its astounding beauty and uniqueness that enthral the mind and captivate the heart to fall in love.
Guyana – the land of many waters.
Kara inhaled deeply as the plane reached its destination.
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.
“Home, after twenty years.”
But they were not aware of her presence. Her mother, though, seemed to sense something and whispered, “Aryana?”
The family turned to look at her mother, and she broke down crying, “She’s here with us. My baby is here.”
Her family had migrated to England when she was just eight years old, and she had never returned to Europe for her becoming home. But deep within her heart, as she grew from a child to an adult, the connection to a place that was once home stayed unbroken.
The father hugged her, helping her to stay strong as the highly emotional services paid tribute to their young daughter’s life and honouring her departed soul to guide her on her final journey.
“It’s kinda strange,” she mused, “Or maybe it’s because the bond between mother and child is never broken.”
Her career as a journalist took her to many countries across the world, but the thought never left her mind that one day, she would return to the land of her birth.
A cynical smile played on Aryana’s lips as the viewing began, and she whispered, “It’s showtime.”
It was late in the night when the plane landed, and as she stepped out of the airport, the cool breeze sent a warm thrill through her body. She stopped and closed her eyes, embracing that moment, and she announced, “I’m home, dear Mother.”
Aruna and Preity just couldn’t stop crying. Such were their regrets for leaving her that night, but the fury burning in Aryana could not forgive them, so she threw out the fresh roses they brought for her. There were loud gasps from those close enough to see what happened, and the two friends stepped back, scared. Her killers were also approaching her coffin bearing red roses, and she called upon her emissaries of the dark world, “It’s time.”
The hotel had sent a cab for her, and on the drive to the Princess Hotel on the East Bank, she was quite impressed with the improved changes of smooth double-lane roadways and streetlights.
She smiled, a happy feeling within her as she checked in at the hotel and said to herself, “From tomorrow, I will become acquainted with you again, dear land.”
The sight of the black crows, their loud cawing and wild fluttering wings, created a frightening scene as they flew circles around her coffin, then among the mourners who scattered to avoid the vicious birds. The birds were gone as fast as they came, but left in their wake were fear and shock. Never had anything of that nature happened at a funeral service. What could have triggered something so ominous was the burning question.
Kara awoke late the next morning and went downstairs to the restaurant for a scrumptious brunch with two of her cousins from the city. She had met them twice in New York and London when they were on vacation, and it was a happy moment seeing each other again. They had arrived earlier at the hotel, waiting to drive her to her old home in the ancient county of Berbice.
Aryana watched her killers hurriedly leave and smiled, cold fury in her eyes, “It’s just the beginning.”
After the brunch that Kara quite enjoyed, her cousin Vinita asked, “ Are you ready?”
To be continued…
“Yes,” Kara answered excitedly, “Looking forward so much to this trip.”
The long drive was a journey to remember. Kara was awed by the lush green landscapes, the grandeur of modern architectural buildings and impressive housing schemes.
“New chapters of economies that have opened a new frontier of developments,” she observed, “a third world country on the rise.”
But what she loved better were the food stalls along the roadway selling tasty Guyanese delicacies, fresh fruits, sugarcane juice and thirst-quenching coconut water.
“This is marvellous,” she exuded, sitting on a wooden bench under the shade of a huge flamboyant tree, relaxing in the ambience of the peaceful countryside.
They had stopped at a roadside stall and she was enjoying the tasty cassava balls with hot mango sour that brought tears to her eyes.
The journey continued with a few stops for Kara to take pictures of old colonial churches and houses they saw along the way, priceless pieces of history. Soon, they reached Rosignol, a community, Amar said, had come a long way, boosting some fabulous houses that were real show-pieces and the Berbice River Bridge.
“Remarkable accomplishment,” Kara expressed. They bought tasty, crispy cassava, plantain and sweet potato chips with mango sour from vendors who rushed to the car. It was afternoon as they drove along the Palmyra/ No.2 Road and turned into Canje to Kara’s old home in
PAINT A RAINBOW IN...
FROM PAGE XVI
a sprawling settlement on the Western Side of the main road.
The streets were paved, and she exclaimed in surprise, “This is wonderful!”
She asked Amar to stop the car so she could walk to get a feel for the street that bore childhood memories, like falling down with her bicycle on the then-bad road. She looked at the houses as she walked past, beautiful country homes with a variety of fruit trees and blooming flower gardens.
She saw faces she could not remember, who looked at her curiously, knowing from her outlook and accent she was a foreigner. So she introduced herself, recognised by her father’s name and soon the modest home she had lived in saw a steady flow of neighbours and extended family. It gave her such a wonderful feeling being home again, and she listened fascinatedly to the Creolese spoken, a mix of languages that
was quite unique.
Kara was nudged awake early the next morning by soft devotional songs, the aroma of breakfast in the air and the creole fowl-cock crowing. She began her day with a splendid Indian breakfast of dhal, roti, steamed calaloo and stewed dry fish.
“Oh darn,” was all she could say after that meal, her eyes misting from the spiciness.
Later in the morning, she shared candies to the children in the neighbourhood, who were thrilled by her British accent and one young boy boldly remarked,
“You like wan ah dem James Bond 007 gyal friend.”
“What!” she said laughing, surprised they knew the Scottish actor.
“The children these days,” Vinita told her, “Know everything because every home has a television now.”
“That’s great.”
And in a moment of reminiscing, she said quietly, “Growing up as a child here, we had radio and story-telling nights.”
The next day, she took a walk along the streets where she used to play games and ride her bike. She had the names of some people her father had given her to become acquainted with, but most of them were not there anymore.
“Where has everyone gone?” she asked, a bit perturbed.
“Migration,” was the answer.
“Oh yes,” Kara acknowledged, “My family was a part of that exodus.”
Looking at the list of names in her hand, a tinge of regret touched her heart. A separation that left a deep yearning where hands could not touch anymore, distanced from loved ones by thousands of miles, for life had created more journeys other
than across the Kala Pani.
That night, she took some family members and neighbours for a night out in New Amsterdam. The town had risen to greater heights with television stations, hotels and supermarkets, restaurants and nightclubs. It was a night of fun, laughter, and great food, such as Banks Beer and El Dorado rum, when the troubles of the world were forgotten.
A couple of days later, she went on a trip to the Corentyne, which was another wonderful experience for her because she had no memory of this place. Vinita, a regular visitor to Corentyne, described to her the developments over the years that left Kara truly impressed. But what impressed her more was the University at Tain, a world of opportunity
for young people striding with the great advances of tertiary education.
“It had some problems, though,” Amar stated. “What doesn’t?” Kara responded, “Problems are a norm all over the world, but it’s how you address issues to find solutions is what makes a difference.”
“Totally agree with you,” Vinita said, “But right now I’m hungry.”
They stopped at a Chinese restaurant, and Kara surprised her cousins with the fact that she knew how to speak Chinese after having covered a few assignments in China. The proprietor was quite pleased with his new customer and more so when
REVISITING THE TOPIC OF MANGROVES
THIS column will again touch on Mangroves because of its importance historically, socially and economically.
RESUSCITATING THE YARD GARDENS
When the Dutch colonisers first visited Guyana in the 17th century, they observed that Mangroves were growing along the entire coast, in some parts so thick that they could be considered mangrove forests.
The Dutch first settled on the coast and utilised the mangrove as a convenient and easy source of wood for house building, fires for cooking, and even for making boats and rafts. Only when they had cut down large stretches of mangrove and the sea had begun to come up on the land did they understand the importance of mangroves as an effective defence against the sea and flooding. They held up to their mangrove depletion, and to avoid the threat of constant flood-
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 united in 1831 to form the colony of British Guiana.
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 mangroves came to be grasped.
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”.
IN the 19th and for most of the 20th centuries, Georgetown was proudly known as “the Garden City of the West Indies.” The gardens referred to the flowering trees and palms planted along the main streets of the town and the flower and kitchen gardens cultivated by householders in almost all yards. Georgetown was once crisscrossed by canals, which helped to drain the town, prevent flooding, and serve as reservoirs for the Fire Brigade during fires. Along these canals in the main streets were planted flowering trees such as flamboyants, golden showers, cannon balls, cabbage, and century palms, which also served as fire breaks. The lotus lilies in the Camp Street canal have been immortalised in the water colours by the architect and painter, Sharples. From the 1950s, these canals began to be filled up since the city engineer felt that the use of drainage pumps was a more efficient way of draining the city. The filled-up canals became walkways, and such walkways still remain on streets such as Main Street, Camp Street, and East Street, with some of the trees still managing to survive along them. A few of the canals still remain, including Lamaha Street, Church Street, High Street and Vlissingen Road, with only a few of the trees surviving.
Though this motto identifies the most important function of mangroves, that is to guard against the flooding by the sea and tidal waves and make the soil less fertile when it would have been impregnated with salt; other positives emanate from mangroves.
Mangroves provide a home for bees as well as feeding grounds since a large number of flowering plants grow among the mangroves. When hives are established in the vicinity, they provide bountiful honey supplies. Consumers much value mangrove honey.
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.
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 tree-lined streets of the “garden city” cannot be revived for a number of reasons, but the yard gardens can. Before the loss of the culture of yard gardens and plant pots, every yard had to have a coconut tree, a mango tree, bananas and a root of sugarcane. They also planted trees from a large variety which included genips, breadfruit, tamarind, plumrose, sapodillas, maamie, jamoon, starapples, dunks, as well as smaller fruit trees such as papaws, avocado pears, soursops, sidyums, gooseberries, guavas, cherries, custard apples, sugar apples, limes and souraries, both the sweet and sour varieties. In the backyards, there were the kitchen gardens where ochroes, tomatoes, mustard and other types of bhaji, sweet and hot peppers, radishes, saijan(merenga), baigan (boulanger), squash, carilla, bora, sorrel and even pumpkin or watermelon or sweet potato vines were allowed to run along the ground. A number of spice plants that were used to flavour cooking, such as fine leaf and broad leaf thyme (basil), ginger, and sometimes turmeric, were in cultivation. On the fences, sumetoo vines were allowed to flourish.
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.
In the front of the yards, flower plants were always present, and these would usually be Caribbean roses, oleanders, queen-of-flowers, jasmine, buttercups, hibiscuses, crotons and bougainvillaeas of various colours. Bachelor’s button would be the usual ground flower. On the High Street side of the City Hall, where the formal entrance is, a flower garden reminiscent of these older gardens is still maintained.
Today, buildings have overtaken the land space in most of the yards of downtown Georgetown, leaving comparatively small patches of land as compared with the more easterly wards of the city, where the yards can accommodate gardens. Nowadays, grafted fruit trees are very common, and such trees grow when the tree is very short. As such, more trees could be accommodated in the limited land space in downtown Georgetown. In the more spacious yards, the old-style gardens could easily be resuscitated.
The usual flowers as mentioned above could be grown, in particular roses, which seem to have disappeared, even in the Botanic and Promenade Gardens.
Fruit trees could be grown more freely about the yard since many would be short-grafted and occupy less space. The kitchen garden in the backyard should be more carefully planned and cultivated to produce fresh and healthy food for the family, and plant pots and boxes should be used to grow small medicinal plants such as
RESUSCITATING THE YARD ...
FROM PAGE XVIII
lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, toolsie, neem and mint, among others. Much research has since been done on herbs and medicinal plants, thus providing a bigger repertoire. In reviving the gardens of the past, some ripe fruit should always be allowed to remain on the trees so that birds could again be attracted to return to Georgetown. In old Georgetown, colourful and beautiful birds greeted each new day with birdsong, and citizens woke up in the mornings amid these beautiful sounds.
There are two things that could be done to improve the renascent gardens: the cultivation of grape vines and placing garden chairs in the gardens. One or two Madeiran families cultivated grape vines, both dark and clear grapes, but this culture disappeared with the decline of the old-style gardens and the emigration of Portuguese families in the 1950s. Grapevines and the hanging bunches of grapes could aesthetically improve the garden and provide families with valuable fruit. In many Caribbean countries where grapevines flourish, the exposed bunches are very often covered in bags to protect them from birds.
In all the wards of the city and in the immediate surrounding villages, the bright street and house lights have made it impossible to see the starry skies and the moonlight, for though one could see the moon in the sky, one could not see the moonlight. A few garden seats in the back garden could allow one to enjoy the moonlight, see the numerous stars in the dark night skies and the daily treats of the colourful sunsets.
Returning to...
FROM PAGE VIII Being among my colleagues, it was hard, but as we move into a modernised world, I’m enjoying it more.”
Although teaching in a modern world, Bibianna faced her fair share of challenges in her own years of schooling. Recounting her time in nursery and secondary school, Bibianna explained that Mashabo today has many more facilities, teachers, and opportunities for children. As she shared, “Going to school was tough at times. We didn’t have any bridge to walk across, so we had to get a boat. We used a canoe, which was very exciting because we learned to paddle and swim at a very young age.”
Bibianna’s efforts were not without reason, as she graduated as one of Mashabo’s best students. “After I graduated from Mashabo Primary School, I went on to study at Aurora Secondary School, where I wrote my CXC exams, with 10 subjects, 8 grade 1s, and 2 grade 2s,” she shared. Her academic success further fuelled her ambition and belief in herself, pushing her to undertake the challenge of attending Cyril Potter’s College of Education.
Furthering her education was not easy, but it gave Bibianna the opportunity to learn and grow, gaining skills and experiences she never would have had otherwise. According to Bibianna, her biggest hurdle in becoming a teacher was the two years she spent in the Pomeroon River region. Far from home and in a new environment, Bibianna continued to strive, and she soon graduated from
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FROM PAGE XVII
she told him she had eaten once at his uncle’s restaurant in Zhi Jian.
“Talk about a small world,” Vinita expressed, “And you’re quite an amazing woman.”
After quite an enjoyable lunch, they drove further up the countryside through Springlands, an established township; the impressionable Skeldon market, a historical sugar estate; the beautiful community of Line Path and into Crabwood Creek. This was an area remarkably developed through farming business and trade with neighbouring Suriname. The ferry crossing at Moleson Creek was another great accomplishment, and it was the end of the visit.
Kara felt a deep sense of satisfaction as they left Corentyne and went back to Canje, to relax for another day. Everywhere she went, everything she saw was beyond her expectations, and that left an indelible mark on her mind. So when it was time to leave, she felt kind of sad saying goodbye to a place where a piece of her heart had always been.
“So you know what,” she declared, “This is not ‘Goodbye’, this is ‘See you again later’”.
There were many places left to visit, so many more amazing things to see that she knew she would definitely make more visits.
And as she left her beloved land at the end of her vacation, the thoughts in her mind were,
“I came back after such a long time because my identity was not lost, my legacy of belonging not broken and with that I can paint a rainbow in the sky.”
teachers’ college.
Now that she has returned to her community as a teacher, Bibianna is pleased with the educational development in Mashabo. As she stated, “Now, as I’m teaching in the primary school, we have been using Wi-Fi to introduce our lessons and so on, so it can be interesting for our pupils.” She further added, “Now, I’m back in my village to mould young minds so that they can be someone better in life.”
Teaching in Mashabo has seen a complete change, with the community now ambitiously moving towards a
research-based way of teaching, where students are given the tools to solve problems in their community. Citing the dramatic change, Bibianna shared, “We have used technology in our teaching because we have Wi-Fi at the school now. When I was attending primary school, there was no Wi-Fi.” Regardless of the adversities that may still exist, Bibianna does not see herself leaving her field anytime soon, as she told this magazine, “I love doing my job.”
Changing the narrative on suicide
FOR far too long, suicide has been marked by stigma that won’t seem to go away. Even with the many sensitisation campaigns and sensitivities that exist, there is still stigma and discrimination. Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. September 10th was celebrated as World Suicide Prevention Day. As such, I wanted to dedicate this week’s column to this pressing issue to raise more awareness of it. The theme for this year is, “Changing the Narrative.” This suggests that we need to start breaking barriers and reducing the stigma around suicide. Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking myths about suicide is that persons who experience such thoughts are crazy or delusional. This is not true. It is so much deeper than that. It
Financial abuse needs more awareness
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.
is unfair to generalise every single person who might experience suicidal thoughts as a collective with a label. People who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts might be struggling with extreme grief, sadness, or distress. I want you all to remember one thing—that struggle or pain will not last forever. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Almost every problem you encounter can be resolved. You simply have to ask for help.
Suicide ends your life and eliminates any possibility of ever fixing your problems, so you can live a good, better person. Suicide also does not end your pain. It simply passes your pain onto your friends and family. Don’t you think your family or friends would be devastated by your loss of life?
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.
Absolutely—you are valuable and deserve to live. Even when we think someone might already have their mind made up—you can change it. Most suicidal people simply want the pain or suffering they’re experiencing to stop. That impulse to kill oneself does not last forever. Suicide is unpredictable, yes, but also preventable.
As such, continuous advocacy and support must be available nationwide. Suicide is also preventable when we look out for others. If you’ve noticed these signs in someone, then they might be struggling with suicidal thoughts. They might start talking about killing oneself, or self-harm, or writing about suicide. They might also gather weapons to use, such as poisonous substances, pills, weapons, etc. They may also start saying goodbyes or getting their affairs in order, such as wills. You should also look out for signs of withdrawal from social groups or spaces, as well as increased use of drug use or alcohol use.
It is a collective effort to reduce the stigma and myths attached to suicide and to move forward with definite actions that will empower those affected by suicidal thoughts—not belittle. I want to stress the importance of remembering that suicide is preventable. As such, I’ve put together some necessary information that might be useful for the context of Guyana below.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, here are some helpful tips:
● Call the 914 hotline, or share the hotline number with someone who might be experiencing suicidal thoughts
● Call the Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Helpline, which operates 24 hours at 223-0001/223-0009/223-0818/ 600-7896/623-4444
● Stay connected. Do not let your friend experiencing suicidal thoughts feel isolated or alone. Be their friend.
● Visit the Psychiatric hospital or the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital to see a psychologist, especially if you have underlying conditions such as depression.
● Tell a trusted associate, therapist or friend.
Mashabo...
FROM PAGE V
have a small guest house for tourism now. But in the near future, that guest house could be two or three times the size, where we could have more people in Mashabo.” He further added that the tourism industry would be managed by the village’s young people as he stated, “Bringing tourism into this community is one of the best accesses I feel that young people could get involved in. Everybody could get the benefits from it.”
As one of the oldest Amerindian communities in Region 2, culture and tradition continue to be a big part of the village’s identity. A proud community of people, the men and women of Mashabo are always ready to share their community’s traditions, food, and maybe even a story or two. As Toshao Hendricks told the Pepperpot Magazine, “Heritage could be a big tourist attraction. A lot of people from the coast, when they come here, they want some wild meat, some fish, and the local drink, and cassava bread. We prepare these things for people that come from outside.” He further added, “It’s very important for us to celebrate our heritage. We have activities throughout the month.”
Although the village is still finding its footing, Mashabo is a model for community development, preserving tradition and unity. “My vision plan was to unite the people, develop Mashabo, and modernise it. As we know,
the technology has really increased now in Guyana, and we start to implement these things in the community to bring more development.” He further added, “Mashabo
is a very beautiful community, and I want to encourage many more people who may come, asking what Mashabo will be like in the future.”
Mashabo’s fishing ponds
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
But who is to guard the guards them- selves? or Who is to watch the watch- men?
(c.60-c.130) Satire VI, lines 347–348
STUDY SUCCESS
Dear Student, Welcome dear reading friend. You canbe helped to understand and evaluate information given in a passage by using a suitable set of specific skills. Were you given a passage to compare its content to several passages on the same subject, right away you shouldsee yourself relating the infor-
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
mation given in the initial text to that of the other texts. Note-taking is essential to the process also. Relating information is highlighting differences and contradictions. Be wise.
Love you.
IMPROVING WRITING
Explaining a process you know well
Non-fiction is made up of many types of writing such as narrative, expository, and persuasive among others. In fact, here are more types to set your horizon wider and clearer: memoir, essay,journalism,autobiography, biography, feature writing, manual, travel guide, recipe, andacademic text.
Notice that non-fiction isany literary work that is fact-based, intended to present true events and information as accurately as possible.You encounter it when you refer to instructions on how to use something like a piece of equipment, say, binoculars. This form is short, focused expository that explains a process. Suppose you were to write an essay to explain a process you know well.
Your essay, then, would include the following features: a focused topic that can be fully explained in the essay explanations of terms or materials that may be unfamiliar a series of logical steps explained in chronological order charts, illustrations, and diagrams as necessary to make complicated procedures understandable error-free writing including correct use of comparative and superlative and other forms of grammar.
How do you choose your topic?
List people, places, things, and activities that you are involved with at home or school. Go through them and make mental or visual connections to coin your topic.Choose your topic from the ideas the chart generates.
How do you gather details? Do this by making a timeline this way: Divide the process you have chosen into distinct steps. Make a timeline to organise the sequence of steps your explanation will describe.
Identify the photographs, illustrations, or diagrams that might help you explain the process.
Shaping your writing. Order is important to make this effort work well:
organise your details into a sequence to make clear the order of steps,each maybe on a separate piece of paper.
Add to or rearrange the steps
as needed and make each fulsome in its turn.
When the right order is found, number the steps and use these notes to draft.
How to elaborate: When you write each paragraph eye any important detail that needs more information – what kind? how much? How long? Or to what degree?
Revising your overall structure: Here is when you add interest to your essay. This helps you look for ways to convince readers that the project is worth reading. Use your pre-writing notes to see what gave you the idea for your topic, and build your enthusiasm into your introduction and conclusion.
Revising your paragraphs: Add missing information, like missing steps or misinformation. Do all you can with added information any reader would need to complete a task successfully. Recipes are non-fiction writing where many important bits of instruction are often left out because the writer feels that the readers are fully acquainted with a certain procedure in a step.
IMPROVING READING
Context clues
Note: One authority says this: When you are reading to understand context clues you need to look for hints about a word’s meaning found nearby. You might look for context clues in the same sentence, or in the sentences before and after it. These clues can also be synonyms of the challenging word, or even a brief definition.
Read the following passage. Then, answer the questions.
The moon, Earth’s only natural satellite, changes in appearance monthly as it orbits around our planet. It waxes and then wanes, seeming to increase and then decrease in size, from full moon to quarter, to crescent, to the nearly invisible new moon. Before the age of modern science, these phases of the moon inspired many legends, or stories, that attempted to explain the changes. Although these explanations are not scientifically accurate, they do show that ancient people were diligent observers of the night sky, carefully studying and accurately noting changes in the heavens.
1. What is the best definition of ‘satellite’ as used in the selection?
(A)a planet (B) a star (C) something that orbits a planet
(D)something not scientifically accurate
2. Which context provides the best clue to the meaning of ‘satellite’?
(A) changes in appearance (B) it orbits around our planet
(C) increase and ten decrease in size (D) from full moon to quarter
3. Based on its context, what is the best definition of ‘waxes’?
(A) increases (B) decreases (C) becomes invisible (D) grows shadowy
4. What does the word ’phases’ mean in this selection?
(A) stages in becoming an adult (B) regular, predictable changes in appearance (C) endings (D) times of confusion
5. From the context, what does ‘diligent’ mean?
(A) imaginative (B) uninformed (C) careless (D) careful GRAMMAR: Punctuation
In the following sentences supply the correct capital letters and punctuation marks.
1.we spent a glorious week at sylvan lake in the black hills of south dakota
2. its the mens turn not the womensto plan the office picnic
Cigarette smoking and oral health
THE sad news for persistent smokers is that in many respects, they are no different from cocaine or marijuana smokers since it has been established that this practice is not a habit as has been previously believed, but really an addiction complete with inherent physical and psychological dependence.
For the past four consecutive years, the theme for Oral Cancer Month was “Check Your Mouth”. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, someone dies from oral or oropharyngeal cancer. The oropharyngeal area is located at the back of the oral cavity and upper throat.
Among numerous hazards related to oral cancer are: rampant caries, gingivitis, stomatitis (infection of the lining of the mouth) and the staining of the teeth. Statistics show that only three percent of all mouth cancers occur in persons who have never smoked, while those who chew tobacco have the highest chance of dying from the disease. The tongue is by far the most common area affected. Most often, oral cancer appears as a chronic, painful sore or ulcer which had developed from a white patch. The deeper in the mouth it is found, the faster it may kill the victim. In other words, cancer on the soft palate is far more dangerous than one located on the lip.
The prevalence of mouth cancers increases with age, with 98% of cases being over 40 years old. Of particular interest is the fact that in combination with alcohol, there is a significant increase in the incidence. In fact, recent studies indicate that even beer and wine could cause oral cancer, especially when consumed by inveterate cigarette smokers.
Can oral cancer be prevented? Largely, yes. Regular mouth and throat examinations can detect the condition at its earliest, most curable stage. Survival rates are around 75% if detected then. On the other hand, without periodic examinations and tests by your dentist, risks increase, and survival rates decrease. A diet rich in vitamins A and C and moderation or abstention from tobacco and alcohol constitute modes of prevention. Progressively decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked daily is the recommended method to get rid of the addiction.
In addition to over 300 other poisons, the smoke from the cigarette contains nicotine and condensate (tar), which deposit on the tooth’s surface, leaving a dark brown to black over a period. Because the enamel has tiny pores, the nicotine eventually penetrates the tooth’s body, thus virtually incorporating itself into the structure of the dentin. Polishing cannot even remove it, and the teeth, therefore, become permanently stained.
Destabilisation of the integrity of the various tissues in the mouth because of the constantly pervading heat and chemical-laden tobacco smoke leads to many local and systemic inflammatory conditions. The destruction of the cilia, which function by sweeping dust particles down the gullet from the nasal lining and throat, results in the chronic smoker’s cough.
The awareness of tobacco issues by healthcare workers may vary from just mentioning to their patients that smoking cessation will contribute to the general state of good health to routine offers of advice and written material on quitting the tobacco habit. More formal assistance may include the delivery of cessation programmes in small groups or on a one-to-one basis in a clinical setting. It is important to note that even less intensive interventions may have an important impact on public health.
