Sustainabilityisa Responsibility
RecoverGuyanapioneeringenvironmentaleducationandconservationthroughtheENGAGEProject
THEMochaArcadia RisingStarYouthClub, locatedinthecompound oftheschoolcanteen inMocha,EastBank Demerara,willbehost-
ingtheirannual Christmasparty forchildrenon December21, andalivelyprogrammeis planned.
tionsinthecommunity.
MyrleneCave,avolunteerofthesaidyouthclub, whichwasestablishedbythe GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF) onNovember14,2014,by CommissionerofPolice, CliftonHickenandother
Sherelatedthatshe, alongwithanothercommunityactivist,hassince arrangedeverythingforthe get-togetherofthechildren, whoaremembersofthe club.
CavetoldthePepperpot Magazinethatshewillbe preparingamealofraisin riceandvegetablericewith bakedchicken.
Adonationwasreceivedforthepurchaseof thechicken,andanoverseas-basedGuyaneseis assistingwithfestivecandies,whichareexpectedto beshippedintothecountry shortly.
Shereportedthatthe MochaArcadiaRisingStar YouthClubcelebratedits 10thanniversarythisyear; however,noeventwasheld duetoconstraints,butthey willensuretheChristmas partyforthechildrenbecomesareality.
Cavesaidapackedprogrammeisplannedforthe Christmaspartyforchildren ofMochaArcadia,anditincludesthesingingofcarols, recitingpoems,andthechildrensharingtheiradventures sincejoiningtheclub,among otheractivities.
staffers,explainedthatit wascreatedtoprovideasafe placeforchildrentogather educationalprogrammes.In addition,itwasaGPFinitiativetofosterbetterpublic andlawenforcementrela-
Sheexplainedthatthe childrenwillbeprovided withlunchandapartybag ofgoodies,aswellasbeverages.Someparentshave pitchedintolendahelping
MyrleneCaveandavolunteerastheypresented freshlypickedpeppersfromthechildren’sfarm project
Pavingtheway
FromGuyanatotheglobalstage,trailblazingdesignerhopesto reshapethefabricofcreativityandculture
GUYANA’Screativeartssceneisstillnewanddeveloping, butamongthemanybuddingartists,afewarepaving thewaywiththeirexceptionalaccomplishments.Keisha Edwardsandherbrand,ShashaDesigns,havebecome fashiondesignertohaveeverreceivedtheprestigious CheveningScholarship,Keisha’sjourneyhasbeenoneof growth,learning,andinspiration.Withhernewperspectives,skills,andtalents,shereturnstoGuyanawithone goal:totransformthefashionindustryasweknowit.
TheCheveningexperience
Studyingabroad:newperspectives
Cheveningscholarshipwinner,entrepreneuranddesignerKeishaEdwards
ByShaniyaHarding
THISyear,anewwaveofdelight,dedication,andcommunityspiritwillbebroughttoLeopoldStreet.Oneofthe mostwell-knownstreetsinGeorgetown,LeopoldStreet, hasapopulationofabout400peopleandthisyear,howChristmastreelight-up.Thepeoplebehindtheinitiative saythattheeventismorethanChristmasandtradition; itisaboutbringingjustabitoftheChristmasspirittothe childrenofLeopoldStreet.
TheWerk-En-RustTransformationalYouthGroup
withtheusualtraditionalfestivitiesalreadyunderway. AccordingtoMalika,theseasonbringsanatmosphereof cheerandcommunitytogetherness.“ChristmasinLeopold Street,allthefamiliescometogether.Wehavefun.We normallylightourscreens.Andthechildrencomeout.All thechildrencomeout,andtheyjustplayrighthere.You know.Thefathers.Thesonsanddaughters.Andallthe herteamhopetoreshapeandbuildonthefoundationof unitythecommunityhas.“ChristmasinLeopoldStreet willbereallynice.AndI’mlookingforwardtoit,forit togetbetterastheyearsgoby.Andmorepeoplecould comeinandvisit.Anddoalittlemoreforthekidsinthe
TreeLight-Up
MalikaBoxhill(SamuelMaughnPhoto)
ByMichelOutridge
ITissafetosaySherryWonghasgiftedhands.Ifyou experienceherfull-bodymassage,youcanattesttothefact. Sheisamassagetherapistwhocanmakeyoufeellikeawhole newpersoninbody,withinanhourandahalf.
The48-year-oldstatedthatshehasacozycornerather homeinGoldenGrove,Diamond,EastBankDemerara,but shealsodoeshomevisitsuponrequest.
Shereportedthatforthepast25years,shehasbeen practisingtheartofbodymassage,masteringtheskill.Sheis aunt,JoanBrown,theownerofHairTechInternationalontology,make-up,manicuresandpedicures,andfacials.
SheaddedthatshewasinspiredbyBrown,whostudied inEnglandandreturnedtoGuyanatoopenherownsalon.
WongtoldthePepperpotMagazinethatsheisalsoaseamstress,bloodnutritionist,andcreatorofherownhairproducts. manicure,pedicure,andfacialservices.Shecollaborateswith threesalons:HairTechInternational,CrèmeDeCrème,and MuddFinn.
Themassagetherapistexplainedthatshemakesherown herbalfacescrubs,massageoils,andhairproducts.
Asabloodnutritionist,Wongcanadviseherclientson whattoeatanddrinktoloseweighthealthily.Sheperformsall massagestocrack,adjust,andtreatpeoplewithdefectsand healthissues.
Shepointedoutthatsheperformscolonmassageandcan alsomakeadjustmentstotheknee,massagepeoplewhohave receivedgunshotwounds,treatbrokenlimbs,reducescar Wongreportedthatshemakesherownmassageoils,in-
ShetoldthePepperpotMagazinethatafterhermassage
“Iwouldliketoexpand,soIamtakingmybusinessto Suriname,thecountrywheremyfatherisfrom.BecauseI canrelatetothelocalsthere.Ialsoplantoexpandmysmall businessacrossthecountryhereinGuyana,”shesaid.
Wongexpressedherdesiretobringherservices,includingcialstandingtoprovidetherelieftheyneed.
Shemakesherownleave-inhairconditionerandclove
mistforedgeregrowthandrecommendslymphaticdrainage onceamonthtopromotegoodhealth.
Wong’ssmallbusinessasamassagetherapistisnamed HealingHands.Itprovidesfull-bodymassages,fullfacial drainage,therapeuticmassages,lymphaticdrainage,hairand nailcare,andspinealignment.
Afull-bodymassagecosts$18,000,lastsanhouranda half,andincludesafreeherbalfacialandacomplimentary hairorbeardproduct.
WongexplainedthatgrowingupinGuyanawithher mother,shelearnedfromherandheraunt,JoanBrown.She hadhermindsetonfollowingintheirfootstepstogainindependenceandestablishherownsmallbusinesstoshowcase herexpertise.
Themotherofone,a19-year-olddaughter,Sue-Ellen Wong,sharedthatherdaughterisabeauticianwhohasbecomeaskilledmake-upartist.
Inaddition,Wongprovidescelluliteremovalwithher handsandbambootherapytosoothemusclesandprovide reliefforherclients.
WongtoldthePepperpotMagazinethatherfather,a Dutchman,wasversedinmassageandbodyrubs.Beinga massagetherapistisinherblood,andshecaneasilymassage a250-poundpersonwithrelativeeasebecausesheisanexpert
Asanenterprisingbusinesswoman,Wonghasinvested30 measurementsandlookingataphotoforcustomers.However,
Wongalsoproducesherveryownherbalteasforday andnight,whichareavailableforsale.
Massagetherapist,SherryWong
SustainabilityisaResponsibility
ByShaniyaHarding
GUYANAcontinuesto carveaboldpathonthe globalstageinconservation andsustainability.Home toapartofthecaptivatingAmazon,countlesswaterways,andfascinating wildlife,ourcountryis renownedforitsnatural beauty.Preservingthisrich biodiversityisaresponsibilitythecountryhas internationalagreements tosafeguardourforests.oneersinsustainabilityare emergingtoleadnewinitiatives.Onesuchleader, RecoverGuyana,ischampioningagroundbreaking theENGAGEinitiative, whichblendsentrepreneurshipwithconservationto inspirethenextgeneration ofenvironmentalists.
WhatistheENGAGE Project?
TheENGAGEProject isagreenentrepreneurship programmeunlikeanyother. Designedtoempoweryoung peopleacrossGuyana,it providesthetools,resources, andknowledgenecessary toestablishandmaintain environmentallysustainable businessesinareassuchas eco-tourism,renewableenergy,wastemanagement, organicfarming,andmore.
PartneringwithScotiabankandDutchoffshore company,VanOord,the programmeaimstotrain over150youthaged16–35ingreentechnologies, eco-friendlyinnovations,and
sustainablebusinesspractices.Selectedparticipantswill alsohavetheopportunityto receivegrantsofupto2millionGuyanadollarstosupportthemostpromisingand viablebusinessideas.The projectwilllaunchinJanuary 2025,startingwithtraining andmentorshipprogrammes inRegions3(Essequibo Islands-WestDemerara)and 6(EastBerbice-Corentyne).
Atitscore,ENGAGE createsarobustlearning environmentforaspiring environmentalists.Itequips participantswiththeskills, resources,andnetworks neededtodevelopandscale successfuleco-friendlybusinesses.BuildingonRecover Guyana’sdedicationtosustainability,theprojectissetto expandnationwideby2026,
creatingavibrantmovement ofyoung,eco-consciousentrepreneurs.
Sponsorsandsupporters
TheENGAGEProject standsoutasmorethanjust atrainingprogramme.Itis acollaborationwithnotablesupporterscommittedto fosteringenvironmentalresponsibility.Speakingatthe launchoftheeventonDe-
CountryManagerofScotiabankGuyana,expressedher enthusiasm,stating,“Scotiabankispleasedtocollaborate withRecoverGuyanaon itsENGAGEproject,helpingtoprovideopportunities foryoungpeopletobuild theirskillswhilepromoting environmentalsustainability.Wearecommittedto
investingininitiativesthat helppeopleriseup,become circumstancessotheycan havesuccessfulfutures.The ENGAGEProjectnotonly alignswellwiththisfocusbut alsohelpsouryoungpeople learnsustainablepractices, encouraginggreenercommunities.”
VanOord,sharedsimilarsentiments,emphasisingitscommitmenttocreatingabetter future:“Weareproudtoannounceourcommitmenttoa socialinitiative,forwhichwe arepartneringwiththeNGO, RecoverGuyana.ThisNGO isledbyGuyaneseyoung professionals.Ourgoalisto empowernatureandcommunitiesthroughcreatingnew opportunitiesandpossibilities fortoday’sworldandfor generationstocome.Through RecoverGuyana,weexpect tomaximiseourpositiveimpactonvulnerableyouthsby providingthemwiththeskills andknowledgeneededfor sustainableemploymentand positivecommunityengagement.Therefore,thisproject system,andwecannotwait toseeRecover’sworkcome tolife.”
Dr.DavindraLalltoo:The visionbehindENGAGE AttheheartofthisinitiativeisDr.Davindra“Dave” Lalltoo,FounderandPresidentofRecoverGuyana. Bornduringanexhilarating boatjourneytotheEssequibo RiveronOctober31991,Dr Lalltoo’sbeginningswereas
Dr.Davindra“Dave”Lalltoo,FounderandPresidentofRecoverGuyana
uniqueashisjourney.Raised onLeguanIsland,surrounded byricefieldsandacloseknitcommunity,helearned thevaluesofperseverance, respect,andcollaboration earlyinlife.Theseprinciples haveshapedhiscareerand passionforempoweringothersaswellaschampioning environmentalcauses.
DrLalltoo’sacademic journeybeganatMaryville PrimarySchool;hethenwent ontoearnadvanceddegrees, includingaDoctoratein BusinessAdministration.Dr Lalltoo’spursuitofknowledgehasalwaysbeenaligned withhismissionofcreating positivechange.Professionally,hisaccomplishmentsare equallyremarkable,leading impactfulinitiativessuchas SHOUT,anenvironmental speechcompetition,andnow theENGAGEProject.
Speakingatthelaunch, DrLalltoosharedhisvision fortheproject,stating,“At theheartoftheENGAGE projectisthevisionofa greenerGuyana,acountry wherethenextgenerationof entrepreneursleadstheway ininnovation,sustainability, andeconomicgrowth.”
Beyondhisenvironmentalwork,DrLalltooisa SeniorLecturer,brandconsultant,andformerNational FranchiseDirectorforMiss EarthGuyana.Hehasreceivedaccolades,including theCaribbeanGlobalAward forBestGlobalCommunity Leader(2024)andaNational YouthAwardforEnvironmentalProtection.Hispas-
sionforyouthempowerment participantsoftheENGAGE Projecttoboldlypickupthe mantle,stating,“Youthengagementisnotabuzzword forus;it’samandate.When wesay‘engage,’wemean creatingaplatformwhere youngmindscollaborate,innovate,andexecuteideasthat canreshapetheirfutures.”
Moreover,DrLalltoobelievesinthetransformative powerofyouthandtherole theyplayinthebiggerpicture ofdevelopment.“Thetransformativepotentialofour youthisundeniable.When giventherighttools,theyare capableofdesigningsolutionsthatnotonlyaddress localchallengesbutalso contributetoglobalconversationsonsustainability.This ismorethanaprogramme; thecollectivecommitmentto nurturingthefutureleadersof Guyana,”heshared.
AMovementforthefuture
RecoverGuyana’sENanewandinnovativeapproachtosustainability,entrepreneurship,andyouth empowerment.AsDrLalltooshared,themission forRecoverGuyanaand
abettertomorrow:“Our missionisclear:investin theyouthtodaytocreate athriving,self-reliantnationtomorrow,”sharedDr Lalltoo.
OwnerofMischiefMerchMatthewHumphrey
LOVEDWRAPPEDINACHRISTMASGIFT
AnnastaredinaweatthehugeChristmastreeinthemall, decoratedwithgoldlights,multi-colouredornaments,and garlands.Atthetopofthetreewasaglitteringgoldenstar, andshegasped,marvellingathowincrediblybeautiful itwas.Inherlittleheart,therewasjoyandawonderful feelingthatthisblessedseasonbrings.
“Anna,”herfathercalled,“C’mon.”
Sherantohimandtookhishand,elatedthathehadtaken
casionally,hestillseemedlonely.
So,thisChristmas,shedecidedtoaskSanta.
cheeks.
ders. tomeether!”
Heliftedherintohisarmsandtoldhertoclosehereyes inhereyes.
teacher.”
“Please.” herhand.
Annafeltlikethehappiestgirlintheworld,forshehad gottenherChristmasgift—wrappedinlove.
ToexploreChristmas,oneofGuyana’smostpersuasive holidays,wemustexaminewhetheritwasindeedslavery thatimposedChristianityonAfro-CreoleGuyaneseor whetheranawarenessofasimilarstoryexistedbeforethe plantation-eraformsofChristianity,withitscontradicslavery.FromallreliablerecordsavailabletoresearchAusar,orOsiris,whowasslain,resurrected,andbecame ofEuropemuchlater.TheChristianityoftheslaveera mockdoctrineofcontradictionstojustifyslaveryandtionsoftheAmericas.
ThecelebrationofChristmasisalsorootedintheseasonalharvest(agricultural)‘solstice’ceremoniesofrebirth, includingexpressionsofcleansingfarmlandsandhouseholds andsharingfestivalsoffood.Suchtribalbanquetscouldnot persistwithoutthesocialscriptofgoodwilltowardsfellow humansandthehopeofaspiritualconceptproposingcosmic changeandpositivecontinuity.Thus,Christ’sbirthbecame tobeinideologicaldecline.Insphereswhereawarenessof Christianityisprominent,Christmasasaprofessedideal requiresagreater-than-lifeinterpretationtoengage.Sucha conceptrestswiththeinneridealsoftheChristmaspageant, atraditionintheancientpre-Christianworldconnectedto Ausar-Osiris.Inmymemoryasachild,ChristmasandEaster
Weareconfrontedwiththeintenttoprovethathumankind isasharedresponsibilitydespitedeceptions,disagreements, andmaterialisticovertures.Thelackofprincipleschallengesity.However,wemustcommittothisatsomestage,forlife
thatChristmas,asacelebrationofbirthandhope,encourages ustore-equipourselvesandpersisttowardsourdreamsand commitmentswithinthesymbolicnewnessandcontinuitythat theseasoninspires.
Iwasalwaysindirectlytaughtfrommyearlyyouththat withChristmas,onemustcontemplatebiddingfarewellto thepassingyearandsimultaneouslyconsiderthebirthofthe comingyear,asthetwoceremoniesareentwinedandmustbe
wiselyguarded.Traversingthispathofsafeguardingrequires thesynchronisationofthefamilyunit,guidedbyitsheads. FromChristmasespast,wehavelearneditslessons,ateaching lifeofitsown,andexperiencekicksin,bringingwisdomto themodernmanagementofresources.
nationalmasqueradebands.Letusenjoyournational cametothisland.Lookattheseasonasamomentofevaluation,bothforChristmasandKwanzaa,aswecondition ourobjectivesandresponsibilitiesfor2025.
CreatingRealChange
Beforeweknowit,2025willarrive,andwhileI’manadvocateforanydaybeingtheperfectdayforchange,most changesbeginasNewYear’sresolutions,which,sadly,are oftenthemostunsuccessfulattempts.
tivechangeanditsmaintenance.I’llbefollowingProchaska andDiClemente’ssixstagesofchangemodel.Sinceitsintroductioninthe1970s,thismodelhasexplainedtheprocess everyindividualundergoestoachievesuccessfulchange, allowingforanunderstandingofreadinessandpotential barriers.
Thesestagesinclude:
•Precontemplation:Issuesaredeniedorignored.
•Contemplation:Issuesareaccepted,andchangeis beingconsidered.
•Preparation:Changeisdecided,andplansaremade.
•Action:Plansareimplementedtoachievegoals.ring.
•Relapse:Possiblesetbacks,buthopefully,adesireto keepgoing.
Inthiscolumn,stages1,2,and3willbediscussed.January’scolumnwillcoverstages4and5,andFebruarywill addressstage6.Ihavestructureditthis columnswillmeetyouatyourcurrentstage. However,keepinmindthatthereisnodechangetakestime,progressinggradually throughsmallsteps.
Comfortandroutineareoneandthe same,butwewouldenjoyhealthychange more.Whenpeoplesaytheycan’tchange certainthings,Iimmediatelythinkof COVID,whichhaschangedeverysingle dailyhabitformuchoftheworld—soour capabilityisnottheissue.It’snoteasy,asit buthealthierhabitscanbecomeroutine,just asunhealthyonesdid.
Precontemplation
changeisn’tevenconsideredbecausetheissueisn’taccepted.However,everyonehasbehavioursorhabitsthatrequire change,andyoucanbringthesetoself-awareness.
Askyourself:
•Daily,doyouhavemorenegativethanpositiveemotions?
•Isanyoneexpressingconcernaboutyouoryour actions?
•Howdoyourecognisesomethingasproblematic? Whatwouldneedtohappeninyourlifetoincitechange? harshtruthisthatifyouaren’tdealingwithyourproblems, yourlovedonesprobablyare.
Contemplation
Ifyouarehere,itmeansyouhaveacknowledgedthatthere isaneedforchange,butyourwillingnessandmotivationare thecosts,soambivalencecankeeppeopleinthisstagefor monthsorevenyears.
Mostgowrongherebymakingdecisionsbasedonothers’opinionsorgenericreasonssuchas“Ishould”or“this isconsideredbetterpractice.”Changeonlyoccurswhenit’s
Ifyouknowyouneedtomakeachangebutdon’tknow inwhichareayet,that’sokay,too.Payattentiontowhatyou dowhenthere’snodirective—whenyouarefreetodoas youplease.Whatareyoudoing?Doesitbringcontentment orsadness?
Thisstagehelpsnormaliseandresolveambivalence, leadingtoself-awarenessandself-love.However,toavoid remainingheretoolong,askyourself:
•Whatharmisthebehaviourcurrentlycausing?
•Whydoyouwanttochange?
•Whatbarriersarepreventingchange?
•Whatorwhocanhelpcreatechange?
anceofallthree,pushingyoutowardschange.
Reframeyourthoughtsfromwhatyoubelieveyouare givinguptowhatyou’reinsteadgaining.Forexample,itmay seemlikegivingupsocialnightswithfriends,butyouare
Tomovefasterinto‘Preparation,’practiceenvisioning. Visualiseyourselfayearafterthechangehasoccurred.What doesitlooklike?Howdoyoufeel?
Mostpeopledonotgetfurtherthanthisstage,butyou arenotmostpeople.Remember,ifyoucontinuedoingwhat you’vealwaysdone,you’llkeepreceivingwhatyou’vealwayshad.
Preparation
“How?”isnowthekeyquestion.
Thisstageiscrucialbecausechangeoftenfailsduetolack ofpreparation.Here,youcultivatethenecessaryskills,distinguishnewfrompreviousapproaches,andmentallyprepare
Insteadofasking,“HowwillIdoit?”trypicturingyourselfhavingalreadydoneitandasking,“HowdidIdoit?” Thisshiftsyourmindsettofocusonpossibilitiesratherthan problems.
Identifyyourmotivationalhabits:
•Extrinsicmotivation(external):e.g.,exercisingtoimproveappearance.
•Intrinsicmotivation(internal):e.g.,exercis-
•Botharevalid,butknowingwhichapplies toyouisvitalforlastingchange.
Startwithsmallsteps.Acknowledgethat thesmalleststepisgreaterthanthelargestintention.Actionsmayincludereadingrelevant books,joiningclubs,consultingprofessionals, orfollowingsocialmediapagespromotingyour desiredchange.
Makingchangerequirestime,whichcanbe overwhelming.IrecommendtheEisenhower Matrix,ataskmanagementtoolthatorganises prioritiesintofourcategories:
•UrgentandImportant.
•UrgentbutNotImportant.
Self-loveisvitalatthisstage.Webetterourselvestothe extentthatwebelievewedeserve,sowemustnourishour
neglectingthemequallycancausegreatissues.
•Self-esteemishowyoufeelaboutyourpersonal qualities(e.g.,“AmIagoodperson?AmIkind?”). atmarketing?Cooking?”).
“Ihandledasituationwell,soIfeelgoodaboutmyself.”). Everynight,Iurgeyoutowritedown:
•Twoqualitiesyouadmireaboutyourself.
•Twothingsyouaregoodat.
•Onethingyouaccomplishedthatday. Evensmallaccomplishmentshelpdevelopahealthybal-
•ImportantbutNotUrgent.
•NeitherUrgentnorImportant.
Ittakes60daysfornewbehaviourstobecomehabits. Mostpeoplefailnotbecauseit’shard,butbecauseit’stedious. Pushthroughthediscomforttoformhabits.
stagesforeach.
Celebrateallprogress,nomatterhowminimalitseems.
Finally,prepareforlapsesorsetbacks.“Failure”isatool thatprovidesvaluableinformationaboutwhatdoesn’twork foryou.Persistencemattersmorethanperfection.
PleasetuneinforJanuary’scolumn,whereI’lldiscuss therealitiesoftheActionandMaintenancestages.
Fromtimetotime,variousMinisters,asHeadsofGov-
However,whatifthesecrucialchoiceswereshapedby somethingotherthanourpassionandgenuineliking?Whatif thereasonsthataresupposedtoencourageusthroughoutour journeygraduallybecamepointless?
Overthepastfewdecades,ourworldhastransformedintotions.This,however,isnotbecausewehavemoreneeds,but becausewehavemoreavenuestoexploreourcreativityand abilitytoinnovate.Itistruethatmostchildrenintoday’sworld aregiventheopportunitytobeapartofspacestogaincreative andinnovativeskillssuchasvariousclubs,artandmusic classes.Regardlessofthis,mostindividualsseemtobepushed encouragementtobecreativeoftenseemstobelimitedtothe periodofchildhood,asthereareveryfewyoungpeoplewho
Thetruthis,manyyoungpeople,uponreachingthestage ofhavingtomakeachoicefortheircareer,arefacedwith ahiddenultimatum:dotheychooseacareerthattheyare passionateabout,ordotheychooseacareerthatislucrative andcansupportthemthroughouttheirlives?Forafewlucky consideredlucrative,sotheydonotneedtomakethisdecision. However,therealityformanyyoungpeopleisthattheyare pushedtogiveuptheirpassionandcreativityjustsotheycan survivecomfortablyinthelongrun.Manyyoungpeoplealso shouldertheresponsibilityofhavingtosupporttheirfamilies immediatelyfollowingtheirperiodofschooling,anditcanbe theirresponsibilities.
lucrativeandstableopportunitiesforyoungpeopleascompared skilledandpassionateintheseareasareforcedtotreattheir passionasahobbywhilefocusingtheirenergyonajobthat canprovideastableincome.Inaddition,thegrowthofthese whoarewillingtoenterthem.Thechangesrequiredtofostera generationofyoungpeoplewhoarefreetopursueanycareer theylikemaytakesometimetooccur.Inthemeantime,wecan makesomepersonalchoicesthatcanpreventusfromleadinga lifedoingthingswedonotlove.
Evenifweareplacedinasituationwherewecannolonger pursueourpassioninaprofessionalcapacity,wemustensure thatweconstantlydevelopourskillsintheareawedesireand connectwithotherindividualswhosharesimilarinterests. Opportunitieslikeconventions,seminars,andconferencescan bequiteusefulinlearningmoreaboutourinterestsandgaining newchances.
Ourcreativityasagenerationshouldnotbeshapedbythe needtosurvive,butshouldbesupportedbythedesiretothrive. Ifthereisnotyetanyspaceforustoexpressourcreativity,let letusholdontoourpassionsandrefusetogiveupondoingthe thingsthatwetrulylove.Whentheworlddoeschange,canyou imaginethegreatfeatsthatwecanachieveasanentiregenerationthatisempoweredbytheabilitytoexpressitselffreely?
LASTweek,theworldobservedInternationalHuman RightsDay,andwhilemostprofessionalsunderstoodwhat itmeant,themajorityofthepopulationwentabouttheir normalroutineswithoutrealisingthefundamentalimportanceofsuchaday.In1948,theUnitedNationsGeneral AssemblyadoptedtheUniversalDeclarationofHuman Rights.HumanRightsDaymarkstheanniversaryofoneof themostimportantglobalpledges:theUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR).Assuch,allUnitedNations MemberStatesobserveHumanRightsDaytoemphasise lives.OnTuesday,10thDecember,theworldobservedHumanRightsDayunderthetheme,“OurRights,OurFuture, RightNow.”TheUDHRisadocumentthathighlightsthe rightsofhumanbeingsacrosstheworld,regardlessofwho theyare,wheretheylive,whatlanguagetheyspeak,their raceorethnicity,theircreed,sex,orstatus.
Inthisweek’scolumn,Iwanttohighlightwhyhuman rightsaresoimportantandwhyweshouldtaketimearound humanrights,itisimportanttonotetheirintersectionsare broad,fromeconomicfreedomssuchastherighttoemployrightsuchasthefreedomofspeechisnotaprivilege;itisan arecategorisedundereconomic,social,andculturalrights, factthatnoteveryhumanbeing’sentitlementtohumanrights peoplewhomightbeviolatedinsomewaythattheyhave rights,andmosttimes,thoseveryrightsareprotectedthrough protectionmanifestinareassuchasgender-basedviolence, controlanddependency,wecancreateavenuesforwomen righttoeducation,andherrighttoeconomicfreedommaybetrateswhytheobservanceofHumanRightsDayisofutmost
Inaworldwherecolonialismofentireethnicitiesand genocidesofculturalheritagehaveoccurred,humanrights protectagainsttherepetitionofthesepainfulmomentsin history.Yes,similarstoriesandeventsarestillhappening today.Thosewhocommitsuchactsareinviolationof others’humanrights.TheUnitedNationsworksglobally throughitsvariousbodies,suchastheHumanRights Council,toensurethathumanrightsareprotected.However,Ibelievewestillmust“beourbrother’skeeper.”As youreadthisarticle,Ihopeitinspiresyoutoensurethat therightsofyourfriends,colleagues,family,and,importantly,yourownselfareprotected,respected,andvalued. Aswemoveforward,letusrememberthewordsofEleanorRoosevelt,whosaid,“Where,afterall,douniversal humanrightsbegin?Insmallplaces,closetohome.”It beginswithyouandme—speakingoutagainstinjustices, supportingthoseinneed,andholdingsystemsaccountable.
—THEYARETHEFOUNDATIONOFFREEDOM,DIGNITY,ANDEQUALITYFORALL
FromPageII
handbyprovidingbeverages fortheevent.
CavenotedthattheGPF willbedonatingthetoys forthechildren,andsheis lookingforwardtotheircontinuedsupportinthisregard, assheneedstheassistance andcannotdoitwithonly oneothervolunteer,Annie Baker,whohasbeenbyher sidemakingarrangements.
Shepointedoutthatthe MochaArcadiaRisingStar YouthClubhas40members, consistingofchildrenaged betweenfourand17years, alldrawnfromthecommunity.
tioninOctober.
Caveexplainedthatit hasbeenafruitfulyearfor theclubbecausetheyhad somesuccessfulprojectsand excelledattheinter-division policespellingbeecompeti-
Sheaddedthattheyalso conductedatie-dyeprogrammeandanagriculture project,duringwhichthey cultivatedtomatoesandpeppers.Afterharvesting,they sharedtheproducewiththe policeandparents.
Cavedisclosedthatthey securedfirstplaceinthe JuniorcategoryofthePolice SpellingBeeCompetition thisyear,whichwasasigclub.
Shestatedthat,inAugust,thechildrenwentcamping,andtheMochaPolice Outpostdonatedbackpacks andschoolsuppliesforthe childrenforthenewschool termthisyearaswell.
TheNelsonStreet,MochaArcadiaresidenttoldthe PepperpotMagazinethatshe wasoriginallyfromRegion One(Barima-Waini),Mabaruma,andhaslivedinMocha forover40years.Sheisthe motherof11children.
ShestatedthattheMocha ArcadiaRisingStarYouth ClubmeetseverySaturday toholdregularcommunity capacity-buildingsessions forchildrenandyouths.
“Idon’tthinkIcanstop doingcommunityworkasa volunteerbecauseitispart ofmylife,andIlikebeing
ofusetoothers,toassistin anywaythatIcan,”shesaid.
Caveiswell-knownin thecommunity,andwithher inherentcraftskills,shecan connectwithmanypeople locally,usingherskillsto teachandcreatecraftpieces frommaterialsfoundinthe environmentthatwouldhave otherwisegonetowaste.
Thecommunity-based volunteertoldthePepperpot Magazinethatbeingaround childrenandmakingadifferenceintheirlivesisfar morefulfillingthansitting idly,andshewillcontinueto beanadvocateforaslongas shecan.
Theelderlyleaderstated that,especiallyduringthe festiveseason,sheensures thechildrenhaveaparty withtoysandothergoodies totakehomewiththem.
Sheis,however,grateful forthesponsors,thepolice, andparentswhodonatedtowardstheChristmas partyforthechildrenof MochaArcadia.
ThechildrenposewiththeirgiftbackpacksfromthePoliceatMochaArcadia
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearreading friend.Asyouexamine atextitisnecessaryto understanditandpulltogetheritsmainideas.Proideascancomewiththe practiseofextractingsalientpointsforsummary writingpurposes.Youcan attaingreaterskillwhen
youpractisecomparingseveral summariesofthesamepassage andbecomeconsciousofthemost commonmistakesmadewhensummarising.Youeasilygettodecide whichofthesummariesisthebest. Bewise.
askedandansweredbefore,during, andafterreadingapassage.Butas reading,itisnecessarythatyoudo thepassageagain,inmoredetail;tionswithabitofmoreparticular reading;respondtoallpartsofthe
2.Similarly,whenitcomesto directlyandcorrectlyormakea messofit.Itallcomesdowntoyour isaskingofyouandtheextentof yourbackgroundpreparation.
3.Respondtoallpartsofthe
4.Employworkingmemory andpayattentiontoorderofdetails. Thesearesonecessaryinessay responses.
Readthefollowingextract carefullyandthenanswerallthe
Theclassroomiswherewe firstrealisedthatweweregood atmathsorspellingorterribleat scienceorgeography.Fromour ownmemoriesandexperiencesas learners,manyofuscanrecallthe obstaclesthatpreventedusfrom graspingtheproperwaytodiagram asentenceorunderstandingthelaws ofalgebra.Someofuscanremembertheteacherswhoremovedthose obstacles,enablingustolearn. weremember,butthechallenges essentiallythesame.Teachersare stillexpectedtoconveyacertain amountofinformationbetween SeptemberandJune,andstudents arestillexpectedtolearnit.Teachersstillemployafamiliarvariety ofclassroomassessments–in theirsearchforevidenceofstudent progress,andstudentsstillaskthe
Almostdaily,inalmostevery classroom,someformofstudent assessmentistakingplace.Searchingforassessmenttoolstosupport
thenewteachingstrategies,teachersandresearchers areexploringassessmentalternativesthatrevealwhat studentscurrentlyknowandunderstand,inthehope thatteacherscanthenusethatinformationtosuggest appropriateinstructionalnextsteps…
1.Inparagraph1,accordingtothewriterwhen hewasastudent,whatwastheroleorresponsibility ofsomeofhisteachers?
2.IdentifyTWOaspectsoftheclassroomwhich areessentiallythesametoday. asusedbythewriterinthelastsentenceinparagraph 2?
writerwishtoachievebythis?
5.Inparagraphs2and3,thewriterusesthe Whatdotheysuggestaboutthewriter?
6.Writeanessayonyourpersonalclassroomobservationsabouttheroleofteachersandtherespon-
THEPOEM
Apoembasedonlove
Readthepoemcarefullyandthenwriteyourresponsesclearlyandprecisely.
Writingoffoamaroundtheshore,then Theroadsassmallandcasualastwine Betweenthemountains;Ilookeduntiltheplane
Waslostincloud.Iwatchedtheshallowgreen Thatmarkedtheplaceswheretheremustbereef, 10Thesilverglintingofthefuselage,eachmile Tillspacewouldbreakit,andthenafterawhile Ithoughtofnothing,nothingIknewwould change WhenwearrivedatSeawell,ithadrained.
lines1and5.
Howwouldyoudescribetheexperience?
island.Whatisit? shallowgreen,reef,fuselage. parts.Identifythesepartsbygivingtheappropriate linenumbers.Part1:Part2:Part3:
Onereminderonverbsinsentencesshowing propertimerelationtooneanother. Whenanindirectdiscoursefollowsapasttense,
Forexample: Jacksondeclaredthathewould[notwill]helpus.
PATIENTSsometimesblamedentalprofessionalsafteriscommon.Atoothmaybesensitivetopressure,air,sweet foods,ortemperature.Usually,thesensitivityresolvesonits ownwithinafewweeks.Duringthistime,itisadvisableto avoidthosethingsthatarecausingsensitivity.Painrelievers aregenerallynotrequired.
Forexample,youmayexperiencepainwhenyoubite down,whichmaybeobservedsoonaftertheanaesthesia isinterferingwithyourbite.Youwillneedtoreturntoyouronanothertoothwithwhichittouches).Sometimes,theteeth painisreallyfromgalvanicshockgeneratedbytheresulting electricalcurrent.Sometimes,thepaindisappearsaftera weekorso.
thatthetissueisnolongerhealthyorthebodyhasnotreacted typeofpain,youexperiencesensitivityordiscomfortin sensation,thereislikelynothingwrongwithyourotherteeth. overonetotwoweeks. arefewerthanahundredcasesreportedinovertwocenturarecircumstances,mercuryoroneofthemetalsusedinan amalgamrestorationisthoughttotriggeranallergicresponse. Symptomsofamalgamallergyaresimilartothoseexperiencedinatypicalskinallergyandincluderashesanditching. amedicalorfamilyhistoryofallergiestometals.Oncean Constantpressurefromchewing,grinding,orclenchingdown,yourdentistcanidentifyweaknessesinyourrestoofdevelopingadditionaldecayinthattooth.Decaythatis leftuntreatedcanprogresstoinfectthedentalpulpandmay ofthetooth,andevendeathfromconditionssuchasVincent’s anginaorencephalitis.