RedefiningMasculinity
Lookingatwhatitmeanstobeaman
BEINGbenevolentalways heldspecialmeaningfor MatildaRajaram,whowas encouragedtobecomea memberoftheLionsClub ofGeorgetownStabroek soshecouldvolunteerto makecommunity-based projectscomealive.
The68-year-oldtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethatin 2007,acustomerwhobecameafriendencouragedher tobecomepartofthegroup, andsheacceptedtheinvitationtoseewhatitwasall about.Today,sheisavalued memberoftheLionsClubof GeorgetownStabroek,where herinputhasbreathedlife intotwosuccessfulprojects.
Rajaramrelatedthaton November1,2024,theLions ClubofGeorgetownStabroekmadeamonetarydonationtoachildwhoislivingwithcancer.She,along withtwoothermembers, madethepresentationtothe minorinthepresenceofthe parentstocoincidewithCan-
cerAwarenessMonth,which washeldinOctober.
Inaddition,Rajaram, alongwithDianaDornellas
andJulietRobertson,on November14,2024,gifted diabetestestingkitstotwo personswhohavediabetes
attheKittyHealthCentre, Georgetown.Thehandover ceremonywaswitnessedby bothmembersoftheLions ClubofGeorgetownStabroekalongwithstaffers oftheprimaryhealthcare facility.Shestatedthatthe presentationwasdonefor WorldDiabetesDay,which isobservedonNovember14 annually.
RajaramaddedthatbeingpartoftheLionsClub ofGeorgetownStabroekis meaningfulbecauseshelikes tointeractwithpeople,andit giveshersomethingworthwhiletodo.
Shepointedoutthatthe LionsClubofGeorgetown Stabroekhas30members, bothlocalandoverseas,and theymeettwicemonthly tofindwaystheycanupliftothers.Rajaramtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethat sheisoriginallyfromBartica,RegionSeven(CuyuniMazaruni),andresidesatDa SilvaStreet,Kitty.Sheisa sixgrandchildren.Herlast visittoherhometownofBarticawasinJanuarythisyear, andshehastwobrothersand asisterstillresidingthere.
Asimplelife
Sherevealed thatherhusbandpassedaway 20yearsagowhenherlast childwasonlysixyearsold.
fundstoassistthepeople
Thatchildwillbecelebrating her27thbirthanniversary onSaturday,andsheisa doctorattheGeorgetown PublicHospitalCorporation (GPHC).
Rajaramhasbeenadressmakerforthepast36years andsupportedherselfandher childrenviathatprofession withtheassistanceofher grownchildren.Apartfrom that,sheenjoysthesimpler thingsinlife,suchastaking careofthechoresathome, cooking,andshopping.
Shelikestogotothe storestoselectrawmaterials (fabrics)tosew,getbuttonscoveredattheStabroek Market,anddohergrocery shopping.
“AsamemberoftheLionsClubofGeorgetown Stabroek,Iserveaccording totheirslogan:‘Wherethere isaneed,thereisaLion.’In naturaldisasters,suchasthe hurricaneintheCaribbean, wecametogetherandraised
Rajaramisan“on-thedoesn’tliketositidledoingnothing.Shekeepsherselfbusyathomeorinthe cause.
Shenotedthathaving somethingtodoisjustwhat sheneeds,andwhenshehas abitoffreetime,shelikestoteningtotheradioandgospel music,sincesheisnotapersonwhowatchestelevision. TheGeorgetownStabroekLionsClubisavolunteerorganisationcommittedtohumanitarianservice. Founded22yearsago,the clubwillcontinuetoserve
Withafriendlydemeanourandafreespirit,Rajaramtakesthetimeshehas thelivesofothersandcontributetosocietythrough theGeorgetownStabroek LionsClub.
theCampbelvilleHealthCentreduringthepresentationceremony
MatildaRajaram
RedefiningMasculinity
Lookingatwhatitmeanstobeaman
GUYANAjoinedtherest oftheworldincelebrating InternationalMen’sDay onNovember19,aday usuallymarkedbycountlessbluegiftsandevents aimedatcelebratingwhat itmeanstobeaman.But whatdoesitreallymeanto beaman?Thisisthequestionthat45-year-oldsingle fatherRandyShepherd setouttoanswerwhenhe developedMenAgainst DomesticViolence(MADAV).Formorethan10 years,Randyhasventured aroundGuyana,talking tofathersandyoungmen, withonesloganinmind: It’sokayforamantosay he’snotokay.
Georgetown-bornand raised,Randyhadanupbringingthatmanyyoung mencouldrelateto.Without hisfatherinthepicture,Randywassurroundedbyviolencefromaveryearlyage, seeingdomesticviolence againstwomenasanorm. “Inmylittleheadatthat timegrowingup,looking foramalerolemodel,the was,thisisokaytodo.This islife.Thisishowyoutreat awoman,”hesaid.
Althoughviolencewas thebackdropofhischildhood,Randydidnotletthat
shapehisperspectiveonlife.
Ashestated,“AsIgrewand myminddeveloped,Irealisedthatwaswrong.Still, Iwaslookingforthatmale rolemodel.Itookitonmy
own,andItoldmyselfthatI neededtodobetter.”Determinedtobreakthecycleof toxicmasculinity,hesought foundhisownmentors,with
afewmenaswellaswomenplayingacrucialrolein makinghimthemanheis today.Thisguidanceallowed himtocompleteschooland laythefoundationfora
betterfuture.“Ialwaystellmyself fromakidgrowing upthatIneedtobe thechangethatI wanttosee,”hesaid.
In2014,lifetookan unexpectedturnforRandy.Althoughheknewhe hadason,therealityof fatherhoodhadnothithim justyetuntiloneday,more than10yearsago,when hisson’smothermadea simplerequest:“Myson’s mumjustcalledmeone dayandsaid,‘Comefor yourson.’Atthattime,I waslivingalone.Inever hadtheexperienceofraisingachild.”Hefurther added,“Igotmyson.That wasoneofthebestthings thateverhappenedtome inmylife.”Determinedto risetotheoccasion,Randy embracedfatherhood.“I remembersayingtohim, ‘Idon’tknowhowwe’re goingtodothis,butwe’re goingtodoit.’” Randyadmittedthatthe earlydaysweremarkedby trialanderror.Sharingsome ofhisexperiences,hesaid, madeformyson,thelumps weresobig,Ihadtogetthe ricekilnandstrainit,”heretimeItriedtofoldadiaper, Icouldn’tgetitright.So Iwentandboughtaroll ofscotchtapeandtaped itaround.”Throughthese experiences,hedeveloped adeeprespectforsingle mothers.“Ithelpedme respectwomenwhoare singleparentsbecause hereIwas,havingthe experienceofraisingjust onechild,”headmits.
Hisjourneyasa singlefatherbecame thebasisforanonline community.Morethan adecadeago,Randy beganpostingonsocialmedia.Fromthe challengesoffatherhood tothehappymoments sharedbetweenhimand hisson,heposteditall inanattempttoconnectwithothersingle fathers,ashesoondid, amassingafollowingof menlearningtofather justlikeRandy.“From raisingmyson,Istarted postingmyexperiences onFacebook.AndIrealisedtherewereother menwhocouldrelate,” hesays. ThisiswhereRan-
dyrecognisedtheneedfor mentofeelunderstood andsupported.“Mendon’t wanttohearalecture.They needsomeonetoreason withwhounderstandswhere they’recomingfrom,atthe levelthey’reat,”heexplained.Thisdiscoveryis whatsparkedMenAgainst DomesticViolence,orMADAV,anonprofitorganisationthat,asthename suggests,isaimedatmen againstdomesticviolence. ButMADAVwouldsoon evolveintoacrucial,safe andsupportiveplacefor men.
Inthedecadesince then,Randyhasheldoutreachesincommunities fromLindentoBerbice. Whileworkingwithyoung menandfathers,Randy sayshehaslearnedanew meaningofwhatitmeans tobeaman,anditdoes notmeanbeingmacho. “Tome,beingamanisn’t aboutbeingmachooraggressive.It’saboutbeing responsible,showinglove, andbeingwillingtogrow andlearnfrommistakes,” saidRandy.
Lookingbeyondhis ownfamily,Randyhas madeithismissiontosupportmenandboysinhis community,withMADAV evolvingintoasafespace formen.“Weneedtolisten tomenandmakethemfeel wanted.Theyneedtoknow theyareimportant,”he says.Astheworldcloses thecurtainsonInternationalMen’sDay,Randy urgespeoplenottoclose thecurtainonmen.
Throughyearsof talkingwiththousands ofangryyoungmenand fathersfeelinglost,Randy sayshisperspectiveon masculinityhasshifted. Hehaspartneredwith variousministriesandhas craftedadatabaseofsingle fathersinGuyana.Seeing menstruggle,Randysays, hasopenedhismindtothe ideathatmostmenwill strugglementallyoremotionallyatsomepointin theirlives.Andwhilesome theyneedhelp,whenthey do,Randyurgeseveryone aroundthemtolisten.
RandyShepherdwithhis son,RandyShepherdJr.
OVERthelastyear,GeminiCocktailshaslaunched
verynicheneedinthemarket.Bornoutofacasual suggestionbetweenpowerhousebusinessduoAmrita BahadurandLawandaPillay,thisuniquecocktailsermixologyscene,blending atouchofpersonalisation intoeverysip.
Now,withaloyalcustomerbaseandagrowing reputationforqualityand originality,GeminiCocktails provesthatwhencreativity meetsdetermination,thepossibilitiesareendless—andso acasualweekendgathering oranelaborateevent,Gemini Cocktailshopestobringthe
Nostrangertobusiness,Amrita,andmixologistatGeminiCocktails, grewupsurroundedby entrepreneurship.After thelossofherfamilystore, however,sheshiftedgears andworkedafewjobsin Georgetownbeforereturningtoherpassionforentrepreneurship.“Originally, I’mfromNewAmsterdam, Berbice.Myparentshad astorethere,butunforPittStreetclaimedmany businesses,includingours. Afterthat,Iwenttohigh school,startedworking, andeventuallymovedfrom BerbicetoGeorgetown. That’swheremyjourney reallybegan,”shetoldthe PepperpotMagazine.
isthemothercompanyto GeminiCocktailsandwasalreadyestablishedasthego-to
Craftingjoy,onecocktailatatime
TheideaofGeminiCocktails camesometimeafter,asthe twosoughtawaytoexpand onthebusinesstheyalready
“GeminiCocktailsbasically startedwithmypartnersuggesting,outoftheblue,that
company,aswealreadycaandpackagedcocktailsfor
Perhapsthebiggest foundationbehindGeminiedtogiveGuyanesethe opportunitytoenjoysome ofthebestcocktailsinan
hangingoutattheseawall, weekendget-togethers,orplelovethepackagingso locallymixedandpack-
Likesomanybusinesses nowgettingstarted,launchingGeminitookalotof work,butpassionateabout theiridea,Amritatookon thejoboflearningmixology.“Atfirst,Ihadno experiencewithmixology. Itookacoursetolearn everything—fromcrafting cocktailstoperfectingmeasurementsandgarnishes. Ittookafewmonthsofresearchandpracticebefore Idoallthemixingmyself.” Marketinghasalsobeen ahurdlethatmostsmall businessespinpointasone
foundacreativewayaround thischallenge,andithasbeen grownsteadilyoverthepast
whoadvertiseswithus,and
Cocktailsmaynotbetooity,andthatiswhatGemini Cocktailsapartisourcreative insteadoftraditionalmojito ingredients,wemightusecoconutrumorgrapefruitsoda
clientslovetheoriginalityof comestoevents,whetherty,orshower,wewanttowecreatepersonalisedlabels
cocktailsforabirthdayparty thisweekend,completewith customisedpackaging,”she
Thewoman-powered businessaimstobeanall-inclusivefrontierforevent
yearago,thebusinesshas seentremendousgrowthand hasalreadygainedalarge following,withpeoplefallinginlovewiththecreative servicesincludetablesettings andallthenecessaryingrevendorsoffer,andclients haverespondedpositivesinglecomplaintsincewe
afewsplashesofexoticalcoholbutgivescustomersa convenientanduniquetaste oftheCaribbeanwiththeuse ofnewandinterestingfla-
cocktailsarecraftedspecificallyforyourevents,and weaimtoprovideaunique haveastorefrontbecauseour focusisondeliveringexcep-
Asthefestiveseasonapproaches,GeminiCocktails isalreadymakingwaves withitslatestinnovation— the“boozeball,”acreative twistontraditionalholiday décor.ButforAmritaand Lawanda,theirventure isaboutmorethanjust cocktails.It’saboutcraftingexperiences,building connections,andpushing theboundariesofwhata smallbusinessinGuyana canachieve.
AfewofGemini’sCocktails
Creativity,culturewithatouchofsustainability
ByShaniyaHarding.
INaworldincreasinglyembracingsustainablefashion andseekingthere-emergenceofculturalheritage, MatapeeDesignsstandsas avibrant,creativemixture ofsustainability,innovation,andtradition.
InspiredbytherichtapestryofGuyana’sIndigenous culturesandthepassionof itsfounders,MatapeeIndigenousPatternstransforms ancienttribaldesignsinto modern,eco-friendlygarmentsandaccessories.“We wantedtobringbackthese lovelypatternsthatIndigenouspeoplepaintontheir garments,”saysco-founder KatiaFitzpatrick.Matapee ofstyle,sustainability,and culturalpride.
ThewomenbehindMatapeeIndigenousPatternsare cousinsKatiaFitzpatrickand ThaissaAulicio.Speakingto thePepperpotMagazinefrom herhomeinBrazil,Katia sharedthatMatapeeDesigns beganasasimpleendeavour toreintroducetheculture theybothgrewupwith.
BornandraisedinRegion NineofGuyana,Katiasays hertraditionandappreciation forculturerandeepfroma veryearlyage.“Igrewup inLethem,andmygrandparentsinspiredthisproject. MygrandmotherwasPata-
mona,andmygrandfather wasMakushi,sotheirstories said.
Adentistbyprofession, KatiasaysthatsinceMatapee Designswaslaunchedjusta fewmonthsago,thetraction
hasbeenunprecedented.September2024sawtheduotake
Countlesspeople throughoutGuyanaand Brazilhavebeensupport-
onlyGuyanesepatternsbut alsoSouthAmericanones,” saidKatia.Withbright coloursandfascinating designs,it’snothardtosee whysomanypeopleare drawntoMatapeeDesigns.
Thepatternsarenotrandom;theywereinspiredby Katia’sandThaissa’sfamily andtheirownculturalexperiences.“Wewantedtobring backalltheselovelypatternsthatIndigenouspeople paintontheirskinandput itdifferentlyingarments,” shesaid.TalkingtothePepperpotMagazineviaphone, Katiasharedthateventhe nameMatapeewaschosenect:tradition.“Wechosethe nameMatapeebecauseit’s usedby,ifnotall,99%of Indigenouspeopletoproduce theirfood.”
MatapeeIndigenous Patternswouldnothave beenthesameifnotforits eco-friendlyfactor.Although thereareanumberofcultural-themedbusinessesand clothingbrands,Katiaand Thaissatakeitastepfurther byensuringthattheirproductsarebiodegradable.“The fabricweuseismostlylinen becauseit’seco-friendly, recyclable,andcomfortable. Peopleappreciatethemodern styleandthehand-painted
Thebusinesshasbeen steadilygrowing,butthere wereandstillareanumber ofchallengestheMatapee brandhasfaced,withthe biggestbeingtheavailabilityofinformation.“Oneof thebiggestdifficultieswas roots.Eachshapecanbelong tomanytribesandmean thoughtandstudygoesinto ourdesigns,”Katiasaid.
Alotofcreativityand hardworkgoesintoeach Matapeedesignaswell,with eachpiecehand-painted, ensuringthateachitemis time—somedressestakeishedbecauseeverythingis hand-painted,”saidKatia.
KatiaandThaissaare championsforthepreservationofcultureandwould liketoseeculturalroots representedthroughmodernmeans.“Ithinktoday we’relosingtheIndigenous rawness,theidentity.”She furtheradded,“Listeningto storiesfrommygrandparents abouthowtheylivedintheir tribesinspiredustobring awarenesstotherichnessof Indigenousculture.”Currently,bothKatiaandMatapee DesignsarelocatedinBrazil,andshipmentsarebeing madetoGuyana.Moving forward,theduowouldlike tochangethat,withhopesof gainingapermanentlocation inGuyana.“Thenextstepfor Guyanawouldbeopeninga physicalstorebecausemany peoplewanttoseethegarmentsinperson,”saidKatia.
AsMatapeeIndigenous Patternslookstoexpandits reachbeyondGuyana,with plansforaEuropeandebut andalocalGeorgetownstore, customerscanreachoutto themthroughtheirvibrant socialmediaspacefortheir
theirdesignsduringGuyana’s HeritageMonthcelebrations. Sincethen,theidea,withits intricatedesigns,hastaken newmomKatiahasyetto returntoherjobasadentist. “I’madentistbyprofession, butthisprojecthasbecome
thatIhaven’treturnedto dentistrysinceitslaunch,” shesaid.
ingMatapeeIndigenous Patterns.Katiabelievesitis morethanthefactthatthe designsareeye-catching; theyareabeautiful,sustainablerepresentationof aculturethatrunsthroughoutSouthAmerica.“Weare producinglovelydressesor garmentsbecauseweare producingformalesaswell, withIndigenouspatterns. Ourbrandincorporatesnot
details.”
Katiafurtheradded,“We alsodesigneco-bagsmadeof 100%cottonandhand-paint them,creatingasustainable mindsetamongourclients.” Theduoalsohasplansto developmoreeco-friendly products.AsKatiashared, “We’replanningtoturntin bottlesintofridgemagnetsto showthatsustainabilitycan extendbeyondgarments.”
“Matapeehasgonefrom dreamtoreality.Matapeeis helpingtocreateaspaceof appreciationandvisibilityfortunitytoeducate,inspire,and promotechange,contributing toafuturethatismoreinclusiveandrespectfulofour country’sculturaldiversity,” sharesco-founderThaissa Aulicio.
Ineveryhand-painted patternandeco-friendly fabric,MatapeeDesigns tellsastory—astoryof identityandartistrythatis astimelessasitisinspiring.
ThewomenbehindMatapeeDesigns,KatiaFitzpatrickandThaissaAulicio,showcasingsomeoftheirmostrecentpieces
PepperpotinaBox
Guyana’snew‘heatupandeatup’alternative
ByShaniyaHarding.
HAVEyoueverhadanunrelentingurgetosettledown withabowlofpepperpotbutdidn’thavethetime,ingredients,orsimplytheenergytomakeit?Thisiswhere GraceParriswouldsayPepperpotinaBoxcomesin.An innovativesolutiontoaveryrelatableissue,Pepperpotina BoxbythefoodbrandAshdel’sisoneproductinagrowing marketofconvenientready-to-usefoods.
ForthemajorityofGuyanese,pepperpotfromanything otherthanapotishardtoaccept.However,thebusinesswomanandcreatoroftheproductturningheadssaysthat Ashdel’sPepperpotinaBoxisnotmeanttoreplacetheprized Guyanesecuisinebutisinsteadaneasier,faster,andmore convenientoptiontoenjoyanage-olddish.
GraceParrisspentmuchofherprofessionalcareerteachingotherstheusesandintricaciesofagro-processingand homeeconomics.Assheapproachedretirement,however,she soughtnewwaystoputherskillstouse.“WhenIwasthinking ofmyretirement,Ithoughtagro-processingissomethingI woulddobecausethere’salotofmoneytobemadeifyoudo itright.”Lookingforagapinthemarket,Gracefoundthat “whatIwasn’tseeingwasourlocalsonthemarketlikehow youwouldseethewholeready-to-eatfoodsoutthere.” thekitchen.Assheshared,“Istartedwiththeinstantplantain thought,‘Therehastobeaneasierwaytodothis.’”Graceem“Pepperpotinaboxisnottoreplacethetraditionalpepperpot. It’sreallyintendedforwhenyoufeellikeeatingpepperpotbut don’twanttodotheworkorhavethetime,”shesaid.
Theinternationalmarketseemstobeopentotheideaof packagedpepperpot,saysGrace,withtheresponsefrominternationalbuyersgrowingsincetheproduct’slaunchafewyears agoduringthepandemic.“Overseasbuyersarealotmore enthusiasticbecausetheyunderstandtheconceptofon-the-go meals.Youcomehometired,andallyouhavetodoisheat itandeatit.”Grace’sPepperpotinaBoxtakesconvenience toawholenewlevel,eveninhowitismade.“Thebiggest isthebones—ithasnobones.Ifyou’reapersonwhodoesn’t likebones,you’regoodtogo,”shesaid.
Gracesharedherexperiencesofthechallengesofstarting afoodbusinessfromhome.“Istartedinmykitchen,butyour kitchenisnevertheidealplace.Whatweprobablyneedin Guyanaisacommercialspacethatsmallbusinessescanrent foradayortwo,”shesaid.Sincethen,shehasdevelopedher processingfacilitylocatedinParadiseontheEastCoastofDemerara.Whenaskedabouttheproduct’sdesign,sheexplained partthatisinmyboxisjuststrictlybeef,andtheideaisforit tobeportableandconvenient,”shesaid.
PricingwasoneofthetoughestchallengesGraceencoun-
“ThehardestpartaboutmakingPepperpotinaBoxwastheableforcustomers,”shesaid.Gracecontinuestoencourage
scepticstoconsiderthebroader contextofconveniencefoods: “Youdon’thaveaproblemusing cannedtuna,sardine,andcorned beef,sowhynotthis?It’sthe istheirsisinatin,andmineisin apouch,”shestated.
Graceisstillastrongchampionfororganicfoodsandhomecookedmeals,ensuringsheuses all-naturalingredientsinher recipes.“Myproductsaremade fromnaturalingredients,like plantainthatisdried.Buthow Imakethemready-to-eatismy tradesecret.”Sincelaunching herproduct,Gracehasnoticed significantgrowthincustomer support.“From2021tonow, growthinpeoplesupportingthe product.Theexposurehasbeen increasingaswell.”
Sheexplainedhowherproductisdesignedtomeetavariety ofdiningneeds.“Ifyoufeellike pepperpotanddon’twantto cook,justheatitandeatit.You canhaveitwithbread,rice,or whateveryouhaveonhand.”In additiontopepperpot,herproduct rangeincludesotherinnovative options.Assheshared,“Theinstantplantainporridgecomesin threevarieties—plain,complete withmilkandsugar,andone withcoconutmilk.There’salso aninstantsoupwithprovisions andchicken.”
Forthoseinterestedintryingsomethingnew,Ashdel’s productsaredistributedacross localsupermarketsratherthan directlyfromherfactory.“My locationisontheEastCoast ofDemerara,buttheproducts arenotsoldthere.Theyare availableinsupermarketslike DSLandattheGuyanaShop.” Gracehopesthatherventurewillinspireothersinthe localmarket.AsshetoldThePepperpotMagazine,“I’m hopingthatbydoingthis,otherswillalsolookintoreadyto-eatideas.There’ssomuchpotentialinthisspace.”
ByMarissaFoster
THEworldrevolvesaround reading,andwiththeadditionofe-booksandonline readingresources,entrepreneurslikeSamantha Stanwickaredetermined topreservereadingthrough physicalbooks.Herlove forreadingandbooksdevelopedintoanentrepreneurialjourneylikeno otherwithherbusiness, TheBookBarn.Samanthabice,andwasraisedina single-parenthouseholdby hermother.Samanthaindicatedthatshedeveloped adeeploveforreading fromanearlyagebecause shewasnot“anoutdoor person”.Sheinitiallyread themysteriesandadventuresofNancyDrewand theenchantingtalesof EnidBlyton.Thesepieces ofliteraturesparkedher imaginationandfostereda lifelongpassionforreading.
“Thisloveforbookshas bothmypersonallifeand myprofessionalpath,”said Samantha.
Itwasduringtheheight oftheCOVID-19pandemic thatitdawnedonSamantha tocreateherownbookstore.
“Whilemyloveforreading
hasalwaysbeenconstant,I noticedthatitwasbecomaccesscertainbooksina timelymanner,especially inBerbice,”saidSamantha.Shestressedthatwhile religiousandeducational bookswerereadilyavailable,theselectionofpopular booksforleisurereading wasquitelimited.Samantha noticedthisgapinthemarket,anditmotivatedherto startabookstorethatwould providepopular,in-demand books—particularlytargeting
youngreaders.“There’sa commonmisconceptionthat youngpeoplearenotinterestedinreadinganymore, butIbelievethatwiththe rightbooks,anyonecanbe inspiredtoread,”saidthis youngentrepreneur.Withthis thoughtinmind,Samantha wasinspiredtolaunchThe BookBarn,astoredesigned toofferawidevarietyof genrestosuitreadersofall ages.
Theworldofbooksis endless,withmanyoptions fromvariousauthorsacross
theglobe.Everyreaderhas bookchoicethattheymay beinterestedin.Assuch, PepperpotMagazineinquired abouthowSamanthadecideswhichbookstostock orwhatgenressheshould focuson.Sherespondedby saying,“Whenitcomesto selectingthebooksforour store,weconsiderseveral factorstoensurethatwe meettheneedsofourdiverse customerbase.Wefocuson stockingpopularbooksthat areindemand,andweaimtosuringthere’ssomethingfor everyone—fromyoungreaderstoadults.”Accordingto Samantha,TheBookBarn’s inventorycoversawide
includingromance,horror, categorieslikeself-helpand beyond.Samanthaalsounderstandsthatsometimes available.Assuch,toreduce frustration,TheBookBarn toensurethatcustomerscan gettheirhandsonthebooks theywant,eveniftheyare temporarilyoutofstock.
Thebookindustry,like manyothers,hasbeenevolvingwiththeriseofdigital media.E-booksandaudiobooksarebecomingincreasinglypopular,whichpresents newchallengesforphysical bookstores.Whenaskedhow Samanthamaintainsherbook
SEEPAGEXII
TheowneroftheBookBarn,SamanthaStanwick
MOSTideasmustbeintroducedtimeandtimeagain beforeanygroup,especiallysomeonewhoissitting inachairbuthasnothad yourexperience,beginsto understandwhatyou’re tryingtosay.I’veserved onaconstitutionalcommis-ing,Iintroducedaconcept thatIwassurewouldbe relevantbecausetheexistenceof‘TheTheme’and itscontentwouldbeuseful topersonssodisposedasa challengingincomeprocess thatwouldlessenearning
Therewasopposition
totheimmediatetaskand itsexpectationsdiscussed beforeIhadintroducedmy paper.Incredibly,itwasnot heardofagain.
TheconceptthatIhad introducedwasthatofa “CulturalIndustriesSecretariat”.Managedinthecontext thatIhadoutlined,including strictaccountability,where didthisideacomefrom?
Simple:frommyexperiences andthebiographiesofothers whohavebecomesources ofinspirationwithoutbeing slavishtoanyone’sideasor violatingtheirIPRsinany way.Everyculturallocation hasitsown“being”thaten-
industry,afterconversations withthelateDereckBernard in1990-2,thatsubvention wassuccessfullynegotiatedwiththenMinisterof Finance,WinstonJordon, in2019,anditstillexists. Ihavelearnedsomuchof whatisknownfromtherequiredengagementswith publicservantsagainstwhat mustbethought!Theignoranceisfrightening.Every othermemberofCARICOM hasgoneahead.Whereare we?Stilllockedinthestate ofdevelopingalanguageto communicateourinterests, whichwecandowhilehalf asleep.
fromoneimportantmember becausethatpersondidn’t understand,norinthatcharacter’slineofcareerduty hadsuchanideaeverarisen, butitdid,thoughitsvalue wasneverunderstood.Thus, itwasneverrecognisedfor whatitwas.Therewasthe problem.Possibly,theimportantpersoncouldnotsee positionfromabriefglance atwhatIhadbroughtto thegroup,oranygroup.I attemptedaproactivechallenge,thenrealisedthatthis characterwas“Legion”when Irequestedadiscussionto explorethedetailsthatthe slimdocumentembodiedto theentiregroup.Themeetingwasdilutedanddiverted
velopesitsinterestgroups, fromthedesignofjewellery toleatherworktostorytelling –audioorprint.Butifyourtion,thenthelegalworldof licensingbecomesanoption. Everypotentiallegitimateindustryinthiscountryhasbenefittedfrom governmentsupport,so whynotus,thefolkinculturalindustries?Someof ushaveregisteredcompanies.We’renothobbyists. Mostofushavedonethe explorationandhavespent themoneyonresearchand development.Whomdowe talktoandwhospeaksour language?
subventionforthecreative
Thepotentialistremendous,butitwillrequire itsownsecretariattoexist sensibly.Inclosing,Imentionedinthiscolumnthat overthepastyears,we havelostindustriestodevelopment:sugar,bauxite, waterfront,computersversusbodies,etc.Thus,where potentialexistsiswhere thereshouldbeopencommunication.Thisislogical, inthesamenecessarycontextthatadictionaryintroducesnewwords.Likewise, interestinexploringnew streamsofawarenessmust bereadytoengagethose whocancontributebased onconsistentexperience andparticipation.
“ONEday,maybe,”she keptsayinginhermind, fortheheartache,tears, andstruggleshadleftdeep scarsonher.Sheknewthere weregoodmenoutthere, menwhoplayedgreatroles inthelivesofwomen,but
toloveandtrustagainwas amanshowedinterestin her,herheartsaid,“No.”
“IguessI’llhavetowait onthat‘yes’,”shesaidquietly.
Thatonemistakeshehad
madeinherlifewhenso younghadcausedhertolose almosteverything.Yet,by God’sgrace,shehadsurvived tobringherbabyintothe world.Lifewentonforher, onedayatatime,andthere werequietmomentswhen
lonelinessoverwhelmedher, forshewasstillyoung.In thosemoments,shewould lookatherselfinthemirror andtrytosmile,butitwas notreal.
Somethingwasmissing— thepurejoyoflove,theglow onherface,thesparkleinher eyes.
“Maybethatkindoflove wasnotmeantforme,”she surmised.
Theonecomfortandjoy inherlifewasherson.
“AtleastIhavesomething precioustolivefor.”
Now,thefatherwasback, marriedtosomeoneelseand approachingherinsucha casualmanner.
“Unbelievable,”sheexpressed.“Howcanonebeso heartlessandshamelessatthe sametime?”
Thenextday,Sunday,was aspecialdayforherbecause, aftermorningservicesatthe mandir,shecouldrelaxalittleathome.Intheafternoon, shedidalittlegardeningand plannedtotakeAryanfor icecreamandamovieinthe evening.Then,itwasbackto workfromMondaytoFriday.
Throughouttheyears,she hadchangedmanyjobsto hourssoshecouldspendtime withherbaby.Shehadtoearn moneyfortheirsurvival,but shedidn’twanttobeaway fromhimallday.Noassistancecamefromherfamily becauseherfatherwasstill nottalkingtoher,andKevin’sparentswantednothing todowiththebaby,thinking maybeshewouldaskfor childsupport.ButShivanie hadnointentionofasking foranything,forKevinhad walkedawayfromherand theirunbornchild.
Thatwassomethingthat wouldstayinhermindforever.
“Iguesswearealonein this,myson,”shehadsaidto himwhenhewasababy.“But
Hislittlehandhadclosed understoodwhatshesaid.
Shewasamanagerata homedécorstorewithgood
Alltheplansshehadtostudy foradegreeinpharmacyhad tobeputaside.Nooneexcept heraunthadsupportedher
decisiontokeepthebaby. Everyoneelsethoughtshe wastooyoungtothrowaway herfuture.Butshehadkept faith,listeningtoherheart andfeelingthewarmthoflife insideher.
Shehadcomealongway andhadnoregretstoday, tellingherself,“AtleastIwill beabletogivemysonagood education.”
Asshewalkedintothe mandirthatmorning,she couldfeeltheglancesand knewthewhisperswereabout her,giventhateveryoneknew herstory.Shivaniesmiledto herself,notcaringforanyone’spitybecauseshehad gonethroughherstruggleon herown.
Midwayintotheservice, Kevinwalkedinwithhis wife,bowedwithclasped handstothepanditandaltar, andsatdownwherehecould seeShivanie.Shesighed deeplyandkeptherfocuson thedivineprayers.
Atensefeelingpermeated theatmosphereinthemandir, andShivanielookedatno one,feelingshewantedto leave.
Atashortbreakintheservices,whenthepandit,who knewwhatKevinhaddone toher,welcomedhimandhis wife,Shivaniegotupandleft, notlookingatanyone.
Herson,thankfully,hadn’t comewithherthatmorning becausehewastootired. Asshesatintheminibuson herwayhome,shethought, chokingalittlewithemotion, “Howcanhedothistome? Howcanhenotcareabout myfeelings?Ididnowrong.”
Herrestful,peacefulSundaywasruined,andherson, noticinghertenselook,asked, “Iseverythingokay,Mum?”
Shesmiledandruffled hishair.
“Justalittletired.”
“Wouldyoulikemeto takeyouforicecream?”
Shelaughed,surprisedat hisanswer.“I’msupposedto dothatforyou.”
“AtleastImadeyou laugh.”
Shehuggedhimand sighed,buryingherfacein hishair.Shehadgivenup everythingtobringhiminto thisworld,andhebecameher everything.Buthewasgrow-
inthehome,andthoughhe neveraskedabouthisfather, sheknewonedayhewould.
Thatnight,Shivanie’s auntcalled,assheoftendid, toseehowsheandAryan weredoing,andshesaid,“I’m guessingyouknowKevinhas returned.”
“Yes,Iknow.Whatare yougoingtodo?”
“Nothing.He’smarried, andI’masinglemother.We
“Okay,youstaygoodand continuetobestrong.”
Thenextmorningatwork, shefeltalittledisturbedat Kevin’scasualattitudetowardsher,asthoughhehad donenowrong.Butasthe dayprogressed,shemanaged itwasabusyday.Thenext twodayswerealsobusy,and sheignoredallthetextsand messagesthatcametoher phone,exceptthoserelatedto business.
Onthethirdday,shewas standinginasectionofthe storeindiscussionwithanothermanagerwhenKevin andanothermanwalkedin. Shivaniedidnotnoticehim untilhespoke.
“Goodafternoon.Ineed amanagertoassistmewith something,please.”
Hewascordial,referring,ofcourse,toher,but sheexcusedherselfwithout hesitation,leavingtheother managertoassisthim. shewonderedagainabouthis casualattitudeandrealised thatmaybehewastryinga friendlyapproachbecauseof Aryan.Hehadtoknowshe hadthebabyandpossibly wantedcontactwithhim.
“Hedoesnotdeserveto knowanythingabouthisson,” shesaidtoherselffirmly. “Let’sseehowthisgoes.”
Thatafternoon,whenshe cameoutofwork,shesaw himjustoutsidebytheemployeecarpark.
“Thisisstartingtofeel likestalking,”shesaidto herselfandignoredhimasshe walkedpastafemalesupervisor’scarwhousuallygaveher alifthome.
Asshegotinthecar,he calledouttoher,“Shivanie,I reallyneedtospeaktoyou.” Tobecontinued…
FROMPAGEVII
businessinaworldofe-books,shementionedthatshesees itasanopportunityratherthanathreat.“AtTheBookBarn, formatscan’treplicate,”saidSamantha.Sheindicatedthatableformanyreaders.TheBookBarndoesnotdirectlysell e-booksoraudiobooks.However,theycontinuetoadaptby
Samanthawasaskedwhichbookorauthorpersonally impactedherorshapedherbusinessphilosophytoday.She localbooksisMyBonesandMyFlutebytheGuyaneseaudirectlyshapedthebookssheretails,herloveforliterature
Forthefuture,Samanthastatedthatsheaspiresto openaphysicalBookBarnbookstore.Shewantstocreateadedicatedspacewherebookloverscanexplorenew titles,attendevents,andsharetheirpassionforreading. Shestatedthatherbusinessisstillgrowing,andwith intoareality.TheBookBarn’sbookscanbefoundatZim andMo’sInvestmentinNewAmsterdamandCollage inGeorgetown.AsevidencedbySamantha’spromiseof growth,thebusinessisalsointheprocessofexpanding toPurpleBubbleinHenriettaVillageontheEssequibo Coast.Samantha’svisionistonotonlyexpandherbusiness’physicalpresencebutalsotocontinuecultivatinga entertainmentthroughthebookssheprovides.
TheBookBarn’scataloguescanbeviewedviatheir socialmediaplatforms: Facebook:TheBookBarn-Guyana Instagram:@thebookbarn.gy SamanthaStanwickalongsideadisplayofher catalogueofbooksfromtheBookBarn
TheSugarIndustry–ToBeorNottoBe?
INthe18thandmuchofthe19thcentury,sugarwas
Guyana,formerlytheDutchcoloniesofEssequibo, Demerara,andBerbice,mirroredthissamecharacteristic
andsociallyimportanttootherareasofGuyaneselifethatit
tryandmostofthebusiness communitysupportthemain-
TheSugarIndustry –ToBeor...
tenanceandrevivalofthesugarindustry.
localeconomiesinruralareas.PresidentAligaveanexample:“Whenyoulookatwhatsugarmeant—thinkofWales,forexample.Whenthefactory wascloseddownatWales,amarketthathadhundredsofvendorsclosedimmediately,and theshopsaroundalsoclosed.”
Keepdancing,Keepworking!
THEworld,attimes,canbeutterlyexhausting.Wecan sometimesfeellikeweareconstantlygivingupparts ofourselvestotheworldwhilewereceivenothingin return.Everyhumanactiontakesacertainamountof energyandthoughttopowerit.Actionsthataremade withthehopeofcreatinglargeimpactsrequirelarge amountsofthoughtandenergytodrivethem.Inorder isconsumed.Inthecaseofhumanaction,itmayseem andenergyasitsfuel.Thus,thosewhoseektoimpact theworldandchangeitareoftenconsumedbytheirown dreams.Theyendupspendingtheirentirelivesworking towardsacausewithoutfeelingliketheytrulycreateda upduringthecourseoftheirpursuitwhentheylosethe internalenergythatmotivatestheiractions.Afterall,it ispredictedthateventhesunwilleventuallyrunoutof lightwhenitnolongerhasfueltopowerit.
Perhapsthepursuitofchangecanbecomparedtothe DancingPlagueof1518.Duringthesummerof1518,a ratherstrangephenomenonoccurredinaFrenchtown.This phenomenonhaspuzzledthegeneralpublicandresearchers forcenturiessinceitsoccurrence.Thephenomenoninvolved conditionthatledthemtodancefordaysorweekswithout end.Theplaguewastriggeredwhenawomansuddenly begantodanceinthemiddleofthetownwithnocontrol ofherselforabilitytostop.Eventually,othersjoinedherin thesamemanner.Variouscuresweretriedforthecondition, engagedinthisbehaviourfornoapparentreason,andmost couldnotstopuntiltheirbodiesgaveway.Theplaguewas soseverethatsomepeopledancedthemselvestotheirvery death!Slowly,however,thedancingsubsidedandtheplague fadedaway.Somehaveclaimedthattheincidentwasentirelyfabricated.Manyhavecomeupwiththeirownpotential causesforthisbizarreoccurrence.Yet,tothisday,thereis
Manyofusbattleforchangeinthesamemannerthatthe dancingplagueoccurred.Wedancevehementlytoconvey amessageortomakeanimpact.Wegathercrowdsofpeopletojoinourcause,andwespendnotonlyourowntime andenergyonthecausebutalsothatofpeoplewhohave joinedus.Yet,likethevictimsofthedancingplague,there isseeminglynopositiveoutcomeforthethingswedo.We createasmalloutburstthatgraduallyfadesandisforgotten. Theinitialproblemremainsunsolved,butnow,wefeelasif energyandtimehavealsobeenwasted.
Thisfearof‘wasting’energyisoneofthegreatestobthatwemakeisalsoasmallpromisethatthedecisionand anopportunitythatseemstorequiretimeandenergyin simplynotuseit.Changeisoneofthoseopportunitiesthat areoftenignored.
mouswasteofenergyandagreattragedy.However,the literature,andperhapsevenresearch.Ithasimpactedthe worldinabizarre,yetmeaningfulway.
Theprocessofchangeisbasedontrialanderror.It
involvesconstantlyreshapingyourplansandreplenishingyourself,allwhilemaintainingyourinitialpassion andzeal.Energythatisinvestedintosomethingdoes notsimply‘disappear’.Instead,itwillmanifestitselfin
expected.Ifarandomgroupofdancingpeoplehaveinagroupofyoungpeoplecoulddoiftheysimplyrefused togiveupontheircause?
IRECALLmyolderfamilymembersconstantlyreferencingwhat’sknownasthe“9to5”whenspeakingabout theirwork.Itoftentranslatestoaday-to-dayjobbecause, generally,thisisthetimewhenmostpeoplewouldbeat work.Thesedays,however,amultitudeofpeoplecannot referencethatlinetodescribetheirjobsbecauseofthe evolutionoftheworkenvironmentandworkforce.There hasbeenashiftinhowworkisdoneoverthelastfew years.Thetraditionalmodelofsittingbehindadeskor gettingataskdoneon-sitefrom9to5doesnotnecessarily applytomanypeopletoday.
factory,“robot-like”settingthatexisted60yearsago. Likewise,Iamsure,somedayinthefarfuture,another columnistwillbeaddressinghowourcurrent“modern advancements”areoutdatedwhilehighlightingfuture innovations.Ihopethatemployersandemployeesalike adjusttothechangesastheworldofworkprogresses throughtimeandwiththenewtechnologicaladvancementsavailabletoday.
DearStudent, Welcomedearread ingfriend.Studysmart, nothard.Continuetobe properlyorganisedand preparedfortestsandex aminationsandmaintain highperformance.Let yourattitudetoworkshift frompunishmentofself
toanopportunitytolearn.Know whattypeoflearneryouareand whatworksforyou.Developthose studyhabits/techniquesandmaster thembuthavepatience.Develop ingyourskillsrequireslotsoftime andperseverance.Remember: smartstudyequalsbettergrades nowandinthefuture.Bewise.
Loveyou.
Asteptowardbetterwriting
Aboutanabridgedpassage:itis ashortenedorcondensedversion ofanoriginalwritingespeciallyby theomissionofwordsorpassages. Youdonotgettoreadallofthe originalbecausepartshavebeen cutoromittedtogainapurposeful readingevent.Today’sabridged passagecomesfromastory.
Instructions:Withinastudy group,carefullyreadthefollowing passageforitslanguage,person, writing,andthendiscussobserva tionsandwriteagroupreport.
ItwasacoldSeptembereve ning.Thesunhadlongsinceset, andallwasquietonthesea.A coldmisthadsettledaroundthe bay,sendingasharpchilldownmy spine.Icontinuedtorow;Ihad seenworse.Icouldstillhearthe voiceringingthroughmyhead. readyoryouarenot.”
blewacrossthebay…Igrippedmy father’spendantforreassurance, clenchingthejadecrossandwilling myselftobestrong.Iwasready.
hadshownusout,noonedared anyoneinmyfamilywaswillingto had,inadistanttime,savedoneof myancestorsfrombeingswallowed bythesea.
ingtripsbefore,butwhathappened nextwouldbecomearemarkable memoryfortherestofmylife...
Astorm!Iwasviolentlythrown backandforthinmyboat!Iturned totheside.Ilostthependant.How closewasItotherockyshore?An otherwavehit!
Iwokethenextmorningon anunfamiliarshore,notknowing whereIwas.Ifeltsomethingcold aroundmyneck–thependant! Howhaditbeenretrieved?How hadIsurvived?TheFish.The again.Istilldon’tknowhowI obtainedthependant,forthatis anotherstory.
LookingatthePassage
Hereitis.Didthegrouptouchonthefollowing storywritingaspects?
1.Itsdescriptivelanguagewhichsetsthescene forthestory.
ry.Youshouldhavelearnedaboutthenarratorfrom whathethinksandexperiences.Whatdoeshethink? Whatdoesheexperience?
3.Thereissuspensebyforeshadowingsomething
4.Haveyounoticedthemakeupofthesentences? Howaretheyvariedinstructureandlength,makinga
5.Detailsarevivid,andtensionmakesthereader wanttoknowmoreofthehappening.Doyouagree withthat?Whatmoredoyouwanttoknow?
6.Writeareportabouttheaspectsofthissus pensefulstory.
GRAMMAR
Anothersteptowardsbetterwriting Herearesomeusesofthehyphen:
1.Useahypheninthesyllabicationorwords overrunningtheline.
2.Useahypheninthefollowingtypesofcom poundwords:
a.Compoundcardinalandordinalnumbers:four b.Fractionsusedasadjectives:
3.Compounddirectadjectives(includingcoined
4.Compoundsofanounandaprepositional
6.Compoundtitlescontainingvice,ex,orelect:
8.Specialcompounds:
b.Iftwoormorewordshavethesamebase, winners.
c.Compoundsinwhichmispronunciationmight read
d.Useahyphentoshowtheomissionofacon
PracticeandApplication
Supplyhyphenswheretheyareneededinthe followingexercises.Identifyeachtypeofcompound word.
2.Thenewchairmanwaselectedbyaoneninth majority.
3.Thestakeholderinsistedoneightytwopartici pantsforthenewhousingprogramme.4.HisIdon’t careattitudeexasperatedhisstepmother,andUncle Kinsleyinparticular.5.Manypersonsdislikedthe newhousemasteruntilshedidsomethingintheir favour:blockedanantisociallaw.
6.Heistheleaderelect.7.Morethanoneex communicanthelpedtobuildthechurch.
IONCEaskedadevoutChristianifsheusedalcohol. Withangerinhereyes,sherepliedinthenegative.Ithentive.Iadvisedhertocheckthelabel.Somemouthrinses containupto21.6percentalcohol,whichismorethanthe strongestwhiskeyorrum.
Theconceptofusingamouthrinseasanadjunctto brushingwithadentifrice(toothpaste)isasoundone.In recentyears,therehasbeenarapidincreaseintheuseof mouthrinses,andthisreviewconsiderstherelativemerits ofthosecurrentlyonthemarket.
perceptionswhenitcomestooralhygiene.Theprofession hasoralhealthasitsprimaryobjective,whereasthepublic ismoreconcernedwithpersonalcleanlinessandsocialacceptability.Nevertheless,thedesiredoutcomeisthesame, namelytheremovalofdentalplaque.
responseitinducesinthegumtissuesfavourcolonisation ofthepocketsbybacteria,manyofwhichhavebeenimplicatedinperiodontaldestruction.However,despitethis rolethatplaqueplayswhenitisallowedtocollectand remainonthetooth’ssurface;itmayhardenandbecome tartarorcalculus.
Becauseofthesethreeprimarydiseaseconditions, mouthrinsesaredesignedtocombatthemultipleharm-
agentsforthepreventionoftartar,andantibacterialagents forthepreventionofplaqueandgingivitis.
-celeratemineraldepositionintoothenamelandtoprevent mayactbyblockingthedigestiveactivityofbacteria,apart frominhibitingacidproductionintheplaque.
Calculusisanoralhygieneproblemworldwide.Most dentalprofessionalsrealisethevalueofcalculusremoval health.Calculusoccursduetotheprecipitationofcalcium phosphatesaltsinthedentalplaque.Amajoringredient ofmouthrinsesandsometoothpastewhichpreventsthe formationoftartariscalledphosphate.Thisdrug’sactivity rinses,whichtargetexistingcalculus,cannotactually removethedepositbutonlypreventitfromincreasingin quantity.
Chlorhexidineisthemostthoroughlyinvestigated rinsesperday,thereisnoneedtobrushatall,andyoucan maintaingoodoralhygiene.Listerine,amixtureofessentialoils,hasbeencommerciallyavailableforoveracengingivitishavebeendocumented.
ThroughoutEuropesince1988,themouthrinsemarket hasdisplayedstronggrowthduemainlytothesuccessful launchingofPlax.Positionedasapre-brushrinse,theactionofPlaxisprimarilydetersive.Althoughitiscertainly themostcommerciallysuccessfulaccordingtostudies donebyGrossmanandpublishedinClinicalPreventive Dentistry,whenusedathomepriortobrushing,Plaxisvirtuallyuseless.Acti-brushandColgate-Palmolivecontain astheiractiveingredienttriclosan/copolymer. Thesemouthrinsesconcentrateonareasgenerally neglectedbyordinarytoothbrushing.Thisequals Steri/Sol,whichcontainsthepotenthexetidine.FinalPerioGardareequivocal.
