Sunday,August25,2024
GUYANESE-BORNmigrantfromVenezuela, EdwardMoore,isbackin hishomecountrytoinvest inourlocaleconomyin theformofmanufacturing wholesome,all-natural productswithgoodnutri-
InJune,helaunched ‘CreamofRice’product utilisingtheGovernmentof Guyana,GuyanaSchoolof Agriculture(GSA)facility atAnnaRegina,Essequibo Coast.
Moorehaspartnered withGSAviatheMinistry ofAgriculturetoproduce ‘CreamofRice’,awholesomesubstitutebreakfast optionthatisquickandeasy tomakeasimpleporridge.
Theproductwas launchedinJune,anditis retailedattheGuyanaShop, RobbStreet,Georgetown, andisavailableatsupermarkets.
MooretoldthePepperpotMagazinethatheisa nativeofDevonshireCastle, EssequiboCoast,butleft GuyanaforVenezuelain 1975,morethan49years ago.Hehasawifeandtwo childrenfromamarriagein
thatcountry.
Heworkedasamechanicandlaterbeganproducing chocolatesandpre-cooked hefabricatedinhisworkshopathomeinVenezuela.
Moorestatedthatafter thelastattackonhimself andhisfamilyathishome inVenezuela,hedecided toreturntohishomeland becauseitwasnotsafedue tothedecliningeconomic situation.Hewasrobbed athishomefourtimesby armedbanditsofwhatever littlehehad.
Mooretriedtosellhis houseevenforameagresum butwasunsuccessfulsohe gaveawayhishouseholdpossessionsandleftforGuyana.
HecamelastOctoberto seehowhecouldsetupa smallbusinesstoearnmoney, andheengagedtheregional administrationinhisplanto producericeporridge.
Mooresoughtadvice,and aftersomeconsultations,he wasauthorisedtoutilisethe GSAfacilityatAnnaRegina tomanufacturehis‘Cream ofRice’productandprovidedemploymentforthree persons.
Hewasgivenathree-year periodtousethefacility,and hisproductisbeingmarketed bytheGuyanaShopasalocallyproducedproductthatis wholesomeandhasexcellent
Moorehadtostart fromscratchandreturned tohishomevillageofDevonshireCastle,wherehe garneredsupportfrom relativesandstartedproducing“CreamofRice’ whichisattractivelypack-
Sofar,theresponsetothe producthasbeenpromising. Frominteractionswithpeopleinthreeexpositionshe participatedin,hewasable topromote‘CreamofRice’, whichwasdubbedafavourite breakfastoptionformany.
‘CreamofRice’can beusedtomakeacakeor porridge.Bothoptionsare goodwithastraightforward recipe.
Moorewillalsoembark onhissecondprojectasa localproducerinchocolate makingandpre-cookedcorn
“IwashereinGuyana in1984whenKennethHopkinsonwastheRegional
Chairman,andIhadaplot oflandinRegionTwofor agriculture,butthenIhadno capitaltocultivatetheland,so IhadtoreturntoVenezuela,” hesaid.
Moorereportedthatthe product‘CreamofRice’isn’t widelyknownyetandhe hopestomaketheproduct ahouseholdnamethrough marketingstrategiesandadvertisements.
However,heismotivated bythefavourableresponseto theproductsofarandhopes theproductwillbecomea favouriteinmanyhomes.
“Oncetheytaste theproduct,they willlikeit,andit wasevidentatthe recentexposition forEmancipationDaycelebrationsattheGuyana ShoponRobbStreetwhere Ihadcakeandporridge preparedforsampling,”
shiphasbeengoodandwill lastathree-yearperiodduring whichhewilltrytoacquire hisownequipmentevenifhe hastofabricateithimself.
Moorestatedthathereturnedhomefora‘freshstart’ andisverythankfulforthe currentadministration’sinput inmakinghissmallbusiness areality.
Henotedthatthepartner-
Presently,theGuyana SchoolofAgriculturefacilityatAnnaRegina,EssequiboCoast,canproduce 500individuallypackaged ‘CreamofRice’products perdaywiththreefull-time
ByShaniyaHarding
availabilityofmoreinformationandthepresenceof morementalhealthprofessionals,itisbeingdiscussed moreopenlyandreaching farmorepeople.Afterher studieswerehalted,Dedepression.“Ifacedseveral challenges.Iwasbattling withexcessdepression.Iwas diagnosedand battlingexcess depression,” shestated. Openingupto thePepperpot Magazine,Demalieshared therockyrelationshipwith herfather.Neverquitehaving ahealthyfather-daughter relationship, thesituation tookanewturn whentheiraltercationsbecamephysical. Demaliesaid theincidentwas
DEMALIEHamilton’s smiletellsthestoryofa challengingyetexcitinglife. The27-year-oldmotherof onecanonlybedescribed asanovercomer.Froma roughchildhoodtofacing challengesinpursuingher educationandanear-death experience,Demaliehas emergedtriumphant.Today,hernamehasbecome synonymouswiththeartof perfectinglocs.Winnerof Linden’sLocFest,Demalie wentontowinallcategoriesofCurlFete2024.Now, asmorepeopletakenotice ofherskills,themother ofoneisdevelopingher business.ThePepperpot Magazinesatdownwith Demalietounderstandher challengesandwhatittook toovercomethem.
Demalieisaself-describedtomboywhospent mostofherearlychildhood onthestreetsofSophia. Recountingherearlyyears, Demaliestatedthatitwas nottheeasiesttimeofher life,butittaughthermost oflife’slessons,helpingher garnerwhatever‘streetsense’ shehastoday.“Igrewupin theghettoofNorthSophia, climbingcoconuttrees,play-
ingcricket,anddoingallthe tomboythings,”sheshared. However,thenegativeaspectsofherchildhooddidnot ofherauntandgrandmother, Demaliedevelopedapassion forreading.Asalonerfor mostofherlife,bookswere auniqueescapeandthegatewaytoherloveofeducation.
“thebeginningoftheend.” Shesaid,“Thatwasthe beginningoftheendofmy 2017,technically2016,Ipression.”
Now,severalyearslater, Demalieisrebuildingand thriving.Demalie,themother ofaone-year-olddaughter,Divinity,foundthather child’sbirthtrulysparked hertolaunchherbusiness, MajesticCrowns.Aunique spinonatraditionalsalon, MajesticCrownsspecialises inlocs.
Manypeoplethoughtthe changefromthesciences tolocswasunprecedented. ButDemaliesayshairis somethingshehasalways loved.Herdecisiontoleave havingbeeninmeteorology formanyyears.Tomost,becomingaloctechniciandid notseemlikethelikelydecision.ButDemaliebelieves itwastherightone.“After realisingthatmysalarywas under$100,000andIwas unsuccessfulwithmyBSc,
DemalieHamilton, ownerofMajestic Crownsandwinnerof allcategoriesofCurl Fete’shairshow
Idecidedtofocusonaskill thatcouldpayme.Itwasnot aboutprestige.Ibirthedmy child,andunder$100,000 cannotcutit.Ijustputall ofmyenergyintolocsand madesuretoexcelinit.”
Damalie’seducational endeavourscentredaround herloveofthesciences. HeryearsatNewCampbellvilleSecondarywere characterisedbyexceptional performance.Afterleaving school,shepursuedhigher education.Thiswasalsomet withvariousstruggles,the biggestbeingthelossofa scholarship.“Shortlyafter graduatingfromhighschool, IwenttotheGuyanaSchool ofAgriculture.IstudiedMeteorologyinBarbados.Iwon ascholarshiptostudy,but Ilostitduetounforeseen circumstances,”Demalieexplained.Shecalledthelossof herscholarshipheartbreaking butalsoaturningpoint.“My loveforsciencesreallybroke myheart.Iloveeducation, knowledge,learning,and beingintheknow.”
Depressionisnota widelytalkedaboutissue inGuyana,butwiththe
Andexcelshedid.Curl Fete2024sawthename MajesticCrownstakecentrestageasthewinnerof everycategoryinitsfamed hairshow.TherewasalottionDemalieputonatCurl Fete,anditcertainlypaid Iwon,Ilostmyvoicefrom screamingsomuch.Iam happyIwon,Iamverycompetitive,butthiscompetitionformewasmoreabout marketingmybusiness,”she stated.
Demalieisnowtaking thenextstepstodevelop herskillsandherbusiness further.Shecontinuesto beaninspirationtoyoung menandwomenwhohave comefromsimilarbackgrounds.Asshestated,“To thosepeoplethatdon’t havemothersandfathers… those‘ghetto’children, you’resmart,andyouwant better,;you’regoingtohavemalieisproofthatitmaybe hard,butsuccess,recovery, andrepairarepossible.
ByMichelOutridge
Dr.FrancineIndarsingh wantedtobecomealawyer,lenges,shehadtoresortto acareerchange,andsheingtothecityandbecominganophthalmologist.
Dr.Indarsinghtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethat thejourneywasn’teasyand includedmanyobstacles, trialsandtribulations,buticationmadehersuccessful.
Shealsocreditshersuccesstoherspouse.Whileshe wasonthefour-yearcourse attheUniversityofGuyana (UG),shemetherpartner, andheprovidedmuch-neededsupport.
ThemotheroftwodisclosedthatshewenttoUG andgotadiplomainPublic Management,andaftershe realisedthatwasnotwhat shewantedinacareer,she cravedamorehands-on challenge.
Dr.Indarsinghthenenrolledintheophthalmologist course,whichlastedfour years,andaftershegraduated,shetookherrolein healthcareveryseriously.
Dr.Indarsinghadded thattheymadethejourney funandthattheexperience garneredfromherone-year internshipattheGeorgetown PublicHospitalCorporation (GPHC)craftedherrolein promotingeyecarepersonally.
Shehasdecidedtotake abreakafterworkingfor privateopticalbusinesses fortwoyears,workingjust onedayperweek,andis spendingmuch-neededtime withherfamilytoassisther childrenintransitioninginto newschoolsfortheupcomingschoolterm.
Dr.Indarsinghtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethat herbestworkexperience wasduringherinternship atGPHC.Shelookedup
toafewspecialistsatthe EyeClinicandwasableto performatherbestinthat crowded,fast-pacedenvironment.
Sheexplainedthatworkingwithspecialistsprovided herwithadeepinsightinto eyecare,andafterspending timewiththebestophthalmologists,sheadoptedthe in-depthapproachwithher patientstogivethemthe satisfactiontheyneed.
Theeyespecialiststated thateyecareconsultations requiredetailedstep-by-step explanations,amethodthat hasbeensuccessfulthusfar andhasseenmanypositive recommendationsandrecognition.
Dr.Indarsinghreported thatsheaimstoopenher veryownopticalbusiness, whichwouldhavetobein herhomevillagebecauseshe wantstogivebacktosociety orworkwiththegovernment untilsherealisesherdream ofowningherownoptical clinic.
Sheaddedthatbeinga full-timeparentandophthalmologistisnoteasysinceent,andworkinglonghours dailytakesawaytimefrom beingathome.
Dr.Indarsinghreported
thatherchildrenareher biggestmotivators,andshe hasadoptedmeasuresinher personallifetobalancework andhomelife.
SheisfromtheEast, SavannahPark,whereshe grewupinNewAmsterdam, Berbice,butherfamilyresidesinGlasgowHousing Scheme.
Dr.Indarsinghadded thatmaybeshewillqualify herselftobecomeamedical doctorsoonbutwillnever giveupbeinganophthalmologistsinceitbringsher immensejoyprovidingtotal eyecareevaluationonevery patient.
“Ihaveencounteredalot ofpeoplewhohaveinspired meandtheyhavemoulded meintothepersonwhoIam todayandIdon’tseespendingtimeaslongasittakes toexplaineverythingtoa patientbecauseIamvery passionateaboutwhatIdo forwork,Ifeelgoodinside out,”shesaid.
Dr.Indarsinghpointed outthatwhenyoudothe jobyouloveitisnotabout themoneyoranythingelse becauseitgivestotalful-servegoodeyesight. something,yourjoband
Dr.FrancineIndarsinghwitha patientduringanevaluationofthe eyes
ontopeoplewhosupport you.Beingkind,genuineto peoplegoesalongwayand alwayscomesbacktoyou,” shesaid.
Dr.FrancineIndarsingh
ByMichelOutridge
INJuly2024,aDiaspora JobFair,aninitiativeof theGovernmentofGuyana incollaborationwiththe PrivateSectorCommission (PSC),washeldattheNew YorkLaGuardiaMarriott Hotel.
auniqueopportunityfor skilledGuyaneseabroadto explorecareerprospectsin Guyanaandactivelycontributetothenation’songoing developmentinitiatives.
TheDiasporaJobFair featuredparticipationfrom keyprivatesectorleaders andstakeholders,offering
inGuyana.
ElectricalEngineer/Contractor,part-ownerofElectricGuyanaInc.,KeonHoward,wasoneoftheattendees atthiseventwherehehad theopportunitytoshowcase hisbusinesswiththeDiasporaandacknowledgedthe
Theeventsawtheattendanceofawidecross-sectionofpeople,including high-levelofficialsfrom Guyana,diplomats,and well-knownbusinessmen andwomenfrombothGuyanaandtheDiaspora.The eventtargetedGuyanesein theDiasporaandpresented
attendeesinsightsintothe diverseopportunitiesavailableacrossvarioussectors withinGuyana.
Participants’expectancy tomeetindustryleaderswas realisedatthisevent,and theyalsohadachanceto explorejobopportunitiesby interactingwithprominent
needfornetworkingviasuch events.
Relishingintheexperienceoftheevent,Howard addedthattheDiasporaJob Fairalsoallowedhimto explorejobopportunitiesby discoveringawiderangeof excitingcareeropenings.
Hestatedthathelearned
alotaboutothercompanies andgainedinsightsinto small,medium,andlarge enterprisesoperatingabroad.
Howardnotedthatthe eventallowedhimtounderstandtheremigration process,wherehereceived informationonreturning hometoGuyanatoinvest.
Hereportedthatinvitees attheDiasporaJobFairin NewYorksawtheeventas theidealplacetolearnhow theirskillscancontributeto Guyana’srapidlyexpanding economy.
“TheJobFairunderscoresGuyana’scommitmenttoharnessingthetal-
entsandexpertiseofour diasporacommunity.By deployingtheirskillsand experience,theycanplaya pivotalroleinthecountry’s developmentandeconomic growth,”hesaid.
Guyaneselivingabroad, especiallyinNewYorkand surroundingstates,showed upintheirnumberstoexploretheabundantopportunitiesavailableinourvibrantGuyana.
Howards’Electrical venturelocally Onthetechnicalsideof thingsisKeonHoward,the brainbehindGuyanaElec-
tricInc.,anelectricalconsultancyandinstallations, residential,commercial,industrialandmaintenance company.
AfterKeonandhiswife, Michelle,movedbackhome, KeonlaunchedGuyana ElectricInc.in2018.Itisan electricalcontractingfirm responsibleforinstalling, maintaining,andrepairing electricalsystems.
Thelocalcompanyhas beenmakingstridesinterms ofsecuringsmallcontracts electricalworks,andone suchcontractwasthenewly openedAidenHotelinthe city,amassive,one-of-akindbuildingthatboastsintricatedesignsandhigh-end furnishings.
HowardtoldthePepperpotMagazinethatGuyana ElectricInc.wasaccepted intotheNationalElectricalContractorsAssociation (NECA).Notably,thecompanyisthefirstGuyanese entitytogainmembership withtheorganisation.
“Theorganisationsets thestandardfortraditionalandintegratedelectrical systems,leadstheindustry inthepracticalapplication ofnewtechnologies,serves asthevoiceforelectrical constructionbyempowering contractorstobeinnovative, safeandresponsiblewhen executingworksthroughout theUS,aswellastheCaribbean,”Howardadded.
Further,Howardsaid thatwhilethemembership recognisesGuyanaElectric Inc.’scontributionstothe industry,italsogivesthe companyanadvantage whenbiddingforinternationalprojectswhencomparedtootherbusinesses intheindustry.
KeonHowardasheengagedwithinviteesatthe DiasporaJobFairinNewYorkrecently
ByShaniyaHarding
SOESDYKEisavillage thatmergesthebestaspectsofaclose-knitcommunitywiththatofabusy city:theconstanthustle andbustleofvibrantentrepreneurswiththepeacefulnessandtranquillityof itspeopleandriverside setting.Itisoneofthefew communitieswherethe soundsofbirdscanstillbe heardthroughthenoiseof thebusystreet.Perhaps thisiswhySoesdyke’sresidentslovetheircommunity uniquely.LindonGilksis oneofthecountlesspeoplewhoareproudtocall Soesdykehome.Moreover,accordingtoLindon, hisfamilyisamongthe village’soriginalinhabitants.Hehaswitnessedthe communityevolvefroma little-knownsettlement beforethehighwaytoits majorhighlighttoday.
Soesdykeof30yearsago
Avillagewheretraditionmeetsprogress
taxidriverforsevenyears.”
Asthecommunitystartedtodevelop,however,ag-
LindonGilks(JaphethSavoryphotos)
riculturalproductioninthe areadeclinedandLindon soughtmoreviablework options.Hetriedhishand atquiteafewjobsbefore settlingonconstruction.
“Beforetheconstruction work,Iusedtoworkasa taxidriveratthebase,at theairport.Usedtorefuel themaircraftandstuff. AndthenIleftthereand wenttoworkatGAC,GuyanaAirwaysCorporation. Iworkedthereforfour years,butIworkedasa
TheviewoftheDemeraraRiverfromSoesdyke
Asthevillagecontinues toattractnewresidentsand businesses,itseemspoised toremainavibrantand dynamicplace,wherethe echoesofitspastoralpast blendharmoniouslywith thepromiseofabright future.AsSoesdykemoves forward,itstandsasan exampleofhowprogress andtraditioncancoexist, creatingarichtapestryof experiencesforallwhocall ithome.
TakingadeeperlookatSoesdyke
ByShaniyaHarding
THEcommunityofSoesdykeiswellknown,tosay theveryleast.Formany years,ithasstoodoutas theprimaryroadmarker andvitalpitstopforthose travellingfromLinden toGeorgetownanddown towardsthesistervillage ofTimehri.However,the communityismorethan boomingbusinesses,bustlingstreets,andvibrant shops;ithasarichpast. Itisacommunitybuilt onfamilyvalues,evolving fromasettlementofagriculturalhomesteadsbuilt byGuyanesefromallcornersofthecountrytowhat itistoday.TheSoesdykeof todayisabright,bustling, andcaptivatingplacefull oflife,welcomingpeople,
andthousandsofunique storiesofitsresidents. Mostdays,ValBristol sellspassersbyandstrangers alikeherfamousdoubles, complementedbyawarm, welcomingsmile.Raisedin Soesdyke,herfamily,like somanyGuyanesefamilies,
isadiversemixofpeople. Val’smotherventuredallthe wayfromSt.Vincentandthe Grenadineswhereshewas bornandraised.Although luckytocallthebeautyofSt. Vincenthome,Val’smother soughttoraiseherchildren inwhatwascalled‘BG’at thetime.
AsValexplained,shewas borninSt.Vincentbutleft atanearlyage.“Mymother broughtus,meandmysiblings,heretoGuyana.She broughtusherebecause,in thosedays,peoplewould leavewhentherewasany problemontheirisland.It wassixofus;Iamthesecondone.Mymothercame whenGuyanawasstillBritish Guianaandshemetmyfather whowasfromAnn’sGrove.”
Valandhersiblingshaveall sincereturnedtoStVincent, seekingtoformabondwith thecountryoftheirbirth.But ValsaysGuyanawillalways behome,regardlessofwhere shegoesorevenwhereshe wasborn.
Thewarmriverbreeze, caringvillagers,andculture oftogethernessarejustafew ofthethingsthatreallymake Soesdykewhatittrulyis--a villagewherepeopletake careofeachother.These deep-rootedcommunityvalchildhood.Herearlydays attendingschoolsinneighbouringcommunitieswere primarilyspentdoingthings familiartomostGuyanese andCaribbeanyouths:long daysunderthesunandinthe sandandriversideswerea majorpartofhercherished childhoodmemories. Recountingafewof theseexperiences,shestated, “GrowingupinSoesdyke wasreallynice.Therewere morechildreninthecommunity.Wehadplentyofsmall childreninthevillage.For example,mysiblingsand ourneighbour’sdaughter grewuplikeneighbours; thatishowgoodweused tolive.Everybodywaslike family;everybodywasaunty anduncle.”Thisclose-knit wayoflivinghasseemingly notonlypersisted,buthas strengthenedgreaterbonds
ValBristol(JaphethSavoryphotos)
WhenyoungandwildCecilDesouzaleftGuyana whilestillinhighschool,he thoughthehadexperienced all,oratleastmost,ofwhat dayinanAmericanhigh schoolprovedtobemore shockingthanhecould GuyaneseinstinctsandupasAmericanchildrendid notextendthesamepleasantriesandmannersasthey otherthingswouldsurprise Cecil,pushinghimona soughttounderstandhis culture,country,anditsday,hesaysit’simportant foreveryonetounderstand whotheyareaspeopleand Youshouldnotlethis Americanaccentfoolyou; CecilDesouzaisasGuyanese asanyoneelse.Bornand raisedinthevillageofSoesdyke,Cecilisthegrandson ofanindenturedimmigrant andthefatherofanAmerican basketballplayer.Hisjourney beganevenbeforehewas born,withhisfamily’sroots comingfromthecaptivating continentofAsia.AsCecil stated,“Myfamilyisaninterestingone,andtheyhave deeproots,andIknowmy roots.Mygrandmotherwas anIndian;shecameallthe wayfromKolkataasanindenturedservantmorethana hundredyearsago.Shecame here,andshehadkidsandso
Andhistoryevencloser
on,untiltheygottome.”
However,Guyanais hometodiversity,andCecil hadanupbringingthatwas characterizedbyplentyof funanditsfairshareofchallenges.Theconstanthustle andbustleoftheSoesdyke oftodaywasnotalwaysthe normforthepeopleofthe village.Thecommunitywas oncequiet,easy-going,and whatmanyconsidermundaneorboringbytoday’s standards.ButtheSoesdyke ofdecadesagohadahost ofdifferentthingstooffer, andchildrenofthetimehad funis.AsCecilexplained,his childhoodwasasexcitingas thedevelopmentandgrowth ofthecommunity:relaxed, fun,andcenteredaroundthe peopleofthevillage.“My childhoodinSoesdykewas great.Igrewuphere,and Iwenttoschoolhere;Idid everythinghere.Ihadthe bestchildhoodhere;weused toclimballthesetrees,swim inthecanalandeverything. GrowingupinSoesdykewas great,thebest.”
GuyanaandtheCaribbean,inessence,haveavery politewayofinteracting.Our ‘niceness’extendstofamily, friends,andstrangersalike andhasevenpersistedso muchsothatithasbecome aculture,almostatradition, tobepolitetoeveryonewe meet.Thisbehaviourgoes beyondpleasantriesandis seenasawayofrespecting eachother,especiallyour elders.Thisisperhapswhy
Cecilwasshockedwhenhe Americanschool;students werenotasnicetoteachers,andtheall-too-familiar ‘GoodafternoonAuntyand Uncle’wasnolongerthere asadailyreminderthatevery Guyaneseis,insomeway, yourfamily.
Cecilwasunderstandablytakenabackasateenagerinanewcountrythat wasnothinglikehisown, anditisstilloneofthe manythingshelovesabout notverymanyplaceswhere peoplewouldgreeteach other,especiallynotwhereI liveoverthere,andthatwas biggestcultureshockforme wasseeingthechildrentalk totheadultsintheirlife,
however,andCecilsays hehascometograspfully thecustomsoftheUnited StatesandthoseofGuyana,alwaysfeelingmoreat homeandfarmoreatease whenbackhomeunderthe
Cecilhasalsotakena deep,vestedinterestinunderstandinghisroots.Since childhood,hisfamily’spast andpeople’shistoryhave captivatedhim.Itwasnotuntilhemovedoverseasthatthe
heisstruckhim.Inaworldas vastasthisone,Cecilsought tounderstandhimself.His dedicationtounderstanding hisfamily’shistoryandGuy-
ana’spastinspiresothers toexploretheirownbackgrounds.Cecil’sexperience demonstratesthatembracing one’sculturalheritagecan beasourceofstrengthand guidance,especiallywhen facingthechallengesoflife inaforeign
ofhisunderstandingof hispastwasgarnered throughvariousyearsof tooktimeandsattolook at,research,andunderstandmypeople,thepast, shoulddothesame,not
thatself-understanding andcomprehensionarethe NowCecilreturnstoGuyanaquiteoften,seeking comfortandpeaceofmind inthewarmthofGuyana anditsbeautifullydiverse
CecilDesouzaworkingomhisSoesdykehome
Frompassiontoprofession
Soesdykemantalksaboutbuilding,boats,mindsandhomes.
ByShaniyaHarding
WhenChristopherCorneliuswasstillasmallchild, hisgrandfathercrafteda uniquewoodenhorsefor himbyhand.Thisseeminglysimplegiftignitedapassionthatwould laydormantforyears.It wasn’tuntilChristopher lefthisvillageofDorathat hetookthispassionand turneditintoalivelihood. Morethanayearlater, Christopherhasmade woodworkhisprofession,
craftinghundredsofbeautifullyintricatewooden staircasesandkitchencupboards,transforminghis passionintoasuccessful career.
ThePepperpotMagazine caughtupwithChristopherathisSoesdykehome, whereheworkedhardcraftingstatementpieces.He hascalledSoesdykehome formorethantwodecades butwasbornandraisedin theriversidecommunityof Dora,whichisfoundsome milesaway.Duringmost
ofhistimeinDora,Christopherwasaneducator,a professionhecherished.As hestated,“Iusedtoteach inmyvillage.Iwasthe headmasteratDoraforthe schoolforseveralyears.”
Asmuchasheundoubtedlylovedhisjobteaching thechildrenofDora,Christophersoughttocreatea betterlifeforhimselfand hisfamily.Heexplained, “WhenIleftDora,mysalarywas21,000orsomething amonth.Andwiththeheadmaster’sallowanceandthe
out-of-townallowance,that tookitto27,000orsomething.Thatwasin2004.”
Morethan20yearsago, ChristopherleftDoratofollownewpursuits.Thefather ofonefoundhimselfamong thestreetsoftherapidly developingcommunityof Soesdyke.Themovefrom DoratothequicklychanginglandscapeofSoesdyke wasabigenvironmental shift.Butinmanyways, therewerestillsimilaraspects,withcommunityvaluesandfamilytimeamong thebiggest.
Ashestated,“Onweekends,weusedtoplaycricket ontheroad.Andnow,nobody,noteventhechildren, comesoutontheroad.I guessthey’rejustoccupied withaphoneoratablet.”
Christopherstillfrequentshishomevillage, tuckedawayofftheLinden-Soesdykehighway,a villagethatliesalongside theDemeraraRiver.Dora isacommunitysurrounded andcharacterizedbyitsrich incontrast,isafarming community,withkitchen gardensbeingtheprimary greenery.Hisdaysbackin DoradoplentyforChris-
topher,ashestated,“Even whenI’mouthere,andI gointoDora,andItakea walkinthebush,itislikeit sucksthestressoutofyou.
Sowhenyoucomeoutback, you’llbeabitenergized.”
Sinceleavinghiscommunity,Christopherhas beenpractisingasajackof alltrades,performingmany jobsaroundthevillage.But woodworkhasbeenhis realpassion,withhisskill andworkbecomingmore well-known.Christopher’s passionforhandcrafted woodenpiecesbeganwhen hestartedbuildingboatsin hisvillage.Ashestated,“I alwaysusedtodowoodwork,andeventhoughI wasteachinginDora,I usedtomakeboats.Ijust developedthatskill.”He furthershared,“Iremember whenIwasaboutthreeor four,mygrandfathermadea woodenhorseforme,andI wasinspiredbythat.Ithink Ialwaystellmyself,regardlessofwhatI’mdoing,I willalwayshavesometime todowoodwork.”
Asateacher,Christopherwaswell-known,and nowthathehasshifted gears,hisskillsarestillin highdemand.Guyanese fromallaroundthecountry havereachedouttohim. Christopherstated,“Iwould normallygetcallsforkitchen cabinets,andstairs,Iwould
basicallydofinishingon homes,puttinginmoulding, Ialsomakedoors.Butifit’s kitchencabinetsandcertain partsofthestairsthatwould
shrink,Iwouldusetrim. Someofthemostcommon thingsImakearestairsand
Hisroleinthecommunityisstilloftendiscussed, however.HewasrecentlyaskedtojointheSoesdykePrimarySchool’sParent-TeacherAssociation. Christopherturnedthepositiondown,stating,“They wantedmetobeheadofthe PTA,butItoldthemifIwas goingtobeheadofthePTA, Iwasn’tjustgoingtobea rubberstamp.Theywould havetodothethingsthatI sayhavetobedone.”Heis, however,stilldeeplyinvestedinthedevelopmentofthe Soesdykecommunity. Collaborationishighon thelistofthingsthatChristopherwouldliketoseeinthe villagehehascometocall home.Heurgesthecommunityleaderstobemoreopen tothevillagers’opinionsand believesthevillagersshould bemorevocalabouttheir concernsandopinions.As hestated,“Thethingsthat mindisthatremember,in everycommunity,thereisa CDC.ThereisaCDChere aswell.Ithinkthiscommunity,Ithinkthepersons inthecommunityshouldbe moreinvolvedorshouldbe included,notmoreinvolved. Becausethey’rewillingto beinvolved,butthey’renot beingincludedinthedecision-makingoftheCDC.” Christopher’sjourney fromeducatortoskilled woodworkerisatestament tothepoweroffollowing one’spassion.Hisstory showcasesthepotentialfor personalgrowthandreinventionthatexistswithin smallcommunitieslike Soesdyke.
ChristopherCornelius(JaphethSavoryphotos)
THEreluctantEmancipationwasnotanidealblessedbytheplantocracythatheld poweroverthecolony.EventheappointedGovernorsweresubjecttothem;neither theirbloodandsweathadcementedintobeingovertheprevious200years.Butthe towardstheiraim.
OnemustnotethatitwastheplantocracywhoseschemingpushedthevillagerstowardsprovidingservicestothenStabroek.Someplantersencouragedsomevillagersto plantsugarcanethattheplantationwouldpurchase,thuscreatingmeaningfulincome towardsthevillage,butalsocultivateddependencies,asitwasrealisedthatthevillages wereunabletoacquiretheengineeringsupporttodeveloptheirownsugar-producing mills.Somevillagesrecordedhavingtheirownmills,atleastinthepostcardsseenby thiswriter.
Taxationwasdirectedattheareasof“portering,huckstering,shopkeeping,boats, cabs,mulesanddonkeycarts”,allusedbytheAfricancommunitybusinessservices,but thoseownedandusedbytheplantationswereexemptfromtaxes.SuccessiveGovernors recognisedthatthoselicencesdiscriminatedagainsttheCreolesinfavourofthePortuguese,buttheplantocracy’sdivideandrulefailedinthecontextofintendedlongevity withoutresistanceandexpectedmassreturntotheSugarplantationsofthevillagers soured,andheadmittedthatremarksnotofthecivilisedkindweremadebygroupsof andresultedintheCreoles’stoningofGovernorPhilipWodehouseonhiswaytothe StabroekwharfinJuly1985.
Takingadeeperlook...
amongneighbours,givingnewmeaningto“ittakesavillage toraiseachild.”
Infact,thissenseofcommunityishowthecommunityofSoesdykewasdeveloped.Accordingtoreports fromValandafewotherresidents,muchofSoesdyke wasonceownedasprivateland,withjustafewfamilies owninglargeplots.Thissoonchangedwiththegrowth inpopulationandtheintroductionofnewfamilies.Inan interestingandcaptivatingdisplayofcommunityvalues, largelandownerseithergave,sold,orleasedmuchoftheir landtothevillage’snewcomers.AsValexplained,“Plenty ofthelandaroundthisareawasownedbyamannamed Crosbie.Hesoldandgaveoutland.Thatishowwehave
CrosbieStreet.”
Thevillage’spast,forgedfromunity,canstillbeseenand feltincountlessways.Manymorestreetsgarnertheirnames frompeoplewhohavecalledthecommunityhomeandhave madesomemajorcontributionstomakingSoesdykewhat itistoday.Theoftenunexploredpartsofthevillagehave streetsnamedaftermanypeople;namessuchasVan-Doimen Street,CrosbieRoad,andChrisCorneraremorethanmarkers ontheroad;theyareremindersofgoodlegaciesamidstthe community.
Thatadamancytomakeanimpactonthecommunity continuestothisday.OneofSoesdyke’smostfamousfootball
FromPageVIII
youngpeopleinthevillageplayfootball,andrightnow,the familiesinthecountry.Thefamilyis[sic]overseas,andthey gaveittothecommunitysothatthechildrencoulduseit.” Soesdykeisafantasticexampleofthefactthatacommunity’sdevelopmentrestsonthebacksofitspeople, or,asGuyanesewouldsay,‘Oneoneduttybuilddam.’ TheSoesdykeoftodayissobrightandbustlingthatit hasbecomesynonymouswithbusinesses.However,the communitydidnotstartthisway.Withthecollaboration ofthousandsofpeopleoverdecades,thecommunityhas earneditsreputation,allbecauseofafewneighbours whocared.
Guyana’sNationalDevelopmentStrategymandatesthat stringentenvironmentalconsiderationsmustguideall stepstakentowardnationaldevelopment.However,in onthemineral-richGuianaShield,Guyana’sminingsector primarilyfocusesonextractinggold,bauxite,diamonds, and,morerecently,oilandgas.
MininghaslongbeenacornerstoneofGuyana’seconomy,withbauxiteandgoldhistoricallyservingastheprimary revenueforthegovernment.Theindustryhasplayedacritical roleinthenation’seconomicdevelopment.Unfortunately, likemanyothercountries,Guyana’sminingindustryfaces andbiodiversityloss.
Theenvironmentalimpactofminingiswide-ranging. Activitiessuchasprospecting,exploration,construction, operation,maintenance,expansion,abandonment,decommissioning,andrepurposingofminescandirectlyandindirectly operationsoftenleadtodeforestation,erosion,contamination withminingtailings—abyproductoftheextractionprocess— oftenbeingaprimarycause.
Miningtailingsconsistofmaterialsleftbehindafterthe commerciallyusefulportionsoftheminedmaterialhavebeen extracted.Thesetailingscanbehazardous,oftencontaining radioactive,toxic,oracidicsubstances.Tomitigatetheirenvironmentalimpact,tailingsaretypicallystoredinlargedams. However,thesedamscanfail,leadingtosevereenvironmental consequences.Thesubstancesstoredintailings,suchascyanide,mercury,orarsenic—usedintheextractionprocess—
Toaddressthesechallenges,advancementsinmininghave increasinglyfocusedontechnologiesthatenhancethecapabilitiesofregulatoryagenciestomonitorlanddegradation,water quality,andenvironmentalprotection.
RemoteMonitoring
TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)playsa crucialroleasaregulatorybodyinGuyana,recognizingthe importanceofcontinuouslymonitoringminingactivities toassessandmitigatepotentialenvironmentalimpacts.To thisend,theEPAemployscutting-edgetechnologiessuchas GeographicInformationSystems(GIS)andremotesensing tools.ByintegratingremotesensingwithGIS,theEPAgains enhancedgeospatialdatathatisparticularlyvaluableinhazardousorremoteareaswheretraditionalon-sitemonitoring maybechallenging.
TheEPA’sspecializedandskilledteamleveragesthese sourcesofcontamination,andlocatenon-compliantmining operations.Throughprecisemappingofcomplaintstotheir respectiveregions,theagencycanallocateresourcesandinter-
theneededattention.
inminingisitsabilitytomonitorandmitigatetheenvironcrucialdataonlandusechanges,landcover,andwater quality,whichformthebasisforenforcingenvironmental regulationsandpromotingsustainableminingpractices.
TheEPAhasmadeconsiderablestridesinadvancing
GISandremotesensingtechnologiesinrecentyears. Adoptingnewsensortechnologies,suchashyperspectral enabledmorepreciseandcomprehensivedatacollection. TheseadvancementsallowtheEPAtobetterassessand understandthecomplexinteractions betweenminingactivitiesandthe environment.
Astechnologycontinuestoevolve,theEPAremains committedtobeingattheforefrontofinnovationinenvironmentalmonitoring.Theagencyisinvestinginresearch anddevelopmenttoexploreemergingtechnologiesthat complementGISandremotesensing,promisingevengreater
MovingForward
Guyana’sminingindustry,crucialtothenation’seconomy,mustbalanceitseconomiccontributionswithenvitechnologicaladvancementsandstrongerregulatoryframeresponsibleminingpracticesandfosteringcollaboration amongregulatoryagencies,miningcompanies,andlocal communities,Guyanacanmovetowardsaminingsectorthat driveseconomicgrowthandsafeguardstheenvironmentfor futuregenerations.
Youcanshareyourideasandquestionsbysending lettersto:“OurEarth,OurEnvironment”,C/OCommunications,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Ganges Street,Sophia,GEORGETOWN,oremailusat:communications@epaguyana.org.FollowusonFacebook andInstagram,andsubscribetoourYouTubechannel.
WITHmodernarchitecturaldesignscomesomeincomprehensibleelements.Someofthoseelementsaregood, somearebad,anditalsodependsonyourperspective. Thereisaconceptofhostileordefensivearchitecturaldesigns.Itpromotesantisocial,uncomfortableandlimited useofpublicspaces.Somepeoplewillsaythisisnecessarytopreventloitering,crimeoruncleanliness.‘Hostile architecture’iswheretherearebracestoleanoninstead ofbenchestositon.Itiswherespikesorbumpsexiston shelteredsurfaces.Itiswhereseatingisuncomfortable andnotspacious.Thesearen’tcoincidentlydesignedthis way.Theyaredeliberatelydesignedtodeterthedestitute andhomelessfromdwellinginthesespaces.Whydo developerslabelthesespacesas“publicspaces”ifthey arenotfortheentirepublic?Clearly,itismeantonlyfor someindividualsandisafalseadvertisement.
Thesedesignsofpublicspacesmightbebuiltasadeterotherpeople?Takeintoconsiderationthefamousleaning barsindevelopedcountries.Aphysicallydisabledperson willbeunabletositiftheycannotstandforprolonged periodsbecauseoftheleaningbars.Whatabouttheelderly andchildrenwhentheycannotsitinacomfortablepublic seat?Howaboutwhenseatsaredeliberatelymadethinner inwidthorwhendeliberatehand-barsareplacedsonoone laysthere?Howcanplus-sizedindividualssitontheseseats? Guyanaiscurrentlyundergoingrapidtransformationwiththe developmentofmorepublicspacesinthemix.Assuch,Iam writingthiscolumntoraiseawarenessofthisarchitectural trend.IhopethatGuyanesedevelopers,architects,engineers, andtherelevantauthoritieswillmakebetterdecisionsrelated tothedesignofpublicspaces.
ThephenomenonofhomelessnessisnostrangertoGuyanese streets.Manypeoplewillarguethat
THEYsatindeepsilenceforalongwhile,uncertain ofwhattodo,fearfulofherunbridledfuryonapath ofrevenge.
“Whatdowedo?”oneofthemasked.
“Howdidshegetsuchpower?”
Nooneansweredforalongtime,andthenanother suggested,“Mymotherknowsagoodspiritualistfrom Suriname,somaybehecangiveussomeformofprotectionfromher.”
vodka.
Thespiritualistarrivedoneweeklater,andduringthat week,thekillershadsomeunnervingclosemishapson theroadwhiledriving.Thedistractionwasthesudden appearanceofthecrowsthatcausedthreeoftheircars frustration,andshesaid,“Don’tworry.Yourfamilieshave money,soyoucanbuymore.”
Theyrelatedtothereligiousmantheincidentswith thecrowsandtheirfearofbeingwrongfullyaccusedofa crimetheydidn’tcommit.
cantheybeprotectedfromthisevil?”
“Iftheyareinnocent,theyhavenothingtofear,”the spiritualistassuredthem.
Heclosedhiseyesandmeditatedforalongwhile, thentookasharp,uneasybreathafterreopeninghiseyes.
“Thatdarkforcewascalledforfromaplaceourspiritualmindscan’tcross.Theagonyandangeroftheone whomadethatcallaresodeep.Ithasbecomeeviland deadly.”
“Theremustbesomethingyoucando,”themothers pleaded.
feelherburningfury,andhegotuphurriedlytoleave.
“Sorry,there’snothingIcando.”
Familiesandtruefriendswerestillprayingforhersoul toascendtoheavenandrestinpeace,butnonesheheard, forhersoulnowbelongedtothedarkforce.Hermother’s voice,though,washeardfromafar.
“Please,mybaby,comeintothelight.”
“I’msorry,Mom,”wasallshecouldsay.
Themediacontinuedtofollowthestory,givingregular updatestothenationthatputthepoliceundertremendous pressureforanswersfromtheirinvestigations.Notlong after,thefourofthemwerepickedupforfurtherquestioning,buttheystucktotheirstoryofthemysteryguy whotookherhome.Theydidnotcrackundertheintense asshesatunderthemangrovetreeonthelonelybeach, “Buttheendwillcomesoon,andwhenitdoes,itwillbe unforgettable.”
Inthemeanwhile,thesoundofthecrowscouldstill beheardandforallthosewhobelieved,theyknewher wentoutanymore,breakingupwiththeirboyfriends,and whenevertheywentout,fearandregretalwaysremained intheireyes.Onebaddecisionhadcausedthemtolose
“Yeah,ifonly,”Preitysighed,“Shewouldbehere laughingandchattingwithus.”
forthem,forherheartwasdarkand cold.Shewasnolongerintheir
worldandwouldnolongerdance, laugh,orsmile.
“Now,Ijustwait,”shevoicedtothewind,sandand sea.
Notlongwasherwaitbeforethelabresultscameback andwereconclusiveenoughforthepolicetochargethe fouryoungmenwithhermurder.Thenewsshockedthe communityandcapturedtheinterestofthenation,asthe insociety.
Thepressandelectronicmediaranthestorylikea dramaseries,andthecaptionread,“Hersoulwillnow
Butitwaslongfromover.
Theboys’lawyerswerealreadypreparingacaseto provetheirinnocence.Aryanalistenedtoeverythingand smiledcynically,“Wewillseeaboutthat.”
Ahugecrowdgatheredinfrontofthecourthouseas theywerebroughtinforthestartofthecase.Throughout theproceedings,everyoneheardthecawingofthecrows andthejudge,lawyersandjurylookedaroundwithalittle unease.
Thecrowdoutsidecheeredthecrows,andthejudge orderedallwindowsanddoorstothecourtroomtobe closed.Theatmosphereinandoutsideofthecourtroom wascharged,asthougheveryonewasexpectingsomething dramatictohappen.
Somethingbeyondtheworldwasindeedaboutto happen!
Theprosecutorhadwrappedupherargumentsandpresentedhercasetothejury,butthenthedefenceaddressed thejury.Theirliesfoundloopholesintheprosecutor’s case.Aryanacalledheremissaries,whoalightedoutside theglasswindows.Shedidnotsendthemintocreate havocbutwentinherselfthroughthecloseddoorwith aheavygustofwindthatblewpapersallovertheroom.Sheliftedherhand,pointingtoherkillers,whohad screamed,“No,it’snotmyson”!
ThefuryburninginsideofAryanaunleashedwithall itsforceasshescreamed,thepowerofthatsoundpitching thewomanacrossthecourtroom.Thepiercingscream down,confessingtotheircrime.
“Stop,pleasestop,”criedtheonewhohaddruggedher. “Wedrugged,assaultedandkilledher.I’msosorry,” hecried,downonhisknees,bloodalloverhim.
Aryanaraisedherhand,andthecrowsstoppedtheir athermotherandfather,whowerecryingingrief.She smiledandleftthecourtroom.
Theimages,videosandwitnesstestimoniesofthehavocshecreatedinthecourtroomshockedthecommunity andnationbeyondwords.
Itwassomethingbeyondanyone’swildestimagination thatarestless,angrysoulcouldunleashsuchdarkpower.
“Unforgettable,”shehadsaid.
Shestoodatthewater’sedgeasduskapproached, lookingatthefarhorizon.Heaven’ssoftlightstillshone astheangelswaited,buttheangelsofthedarkforcealso waited.
“Aryana,”hermother’ssoftvoicespoke,”You’rea goodgirl.Heavenisyourhome.Youdonotbelonginthe darkworld.”
“Ihavenochoice,Mom,”shesaidinavoiceless whisper.
Sheclosedhereyes,“I’msorry,Mom,thatI’vecaused yousomuchgrief,butthelordwouldn’thaveempowered metoavengemydeath,soIsoldmysoultothedevil.”
Sheheardhermothercryinghelplessly,andshewished shecouldwipehertearsandcomforther,butshemustnow leavetokeepherendofthebargain.Sheopenedhereyes andbeheldabrightlightthathadawaitedhersincethat tragicnight,andthedarkangelsweregone.
Shegaspedasthelighttouched herandshelookedathermother, whocouldnowseeherinthatheavenlymoment.
“Howdidthishappen,mom?”
“Ineverstoppedprayingforyou sweetchild.”
Thelightdisappeared,andasthe motherstoodonthebeachwhereher beautifulchild’sbodyhadlainin thesand,shefeltafeelingofpeace withinherself.
thehorizon.
‘Hostile Architectural’...
FROMPAGEXV
ourpublicspacesshouldbefreeofthe destitute.Somemightsaythatitwill detertouristsandfurtherdevelopment. Idoagreethatthedestitutedonotbelonginpublicspaces, butinthesamebreath—theyshouldnotbelivinginany actualburningissueofhomelessnessanditsimpactonour society.Thisarchitecturaldesignshouldhavenoplacein Guyana’smoderndevelopment.Theissueisnotthedestitute shelters,increasingratesofdrugabuse,untreatedmental illnessesandalimitedamountofmentalhealthservices. Alloftheseunderlyingissuesandmorearenotholistically addressed.
So,insteadofourdevelopersbeingconcernedabout deterringthehomeless,howaboutwedevelopmore Howaboutweholisticallyreducetheunemployment designisthecompleteoppositeofwhatapublicspace shouldbe.Let’sholisticallyaddresshomelessnessand allitscauses.Ihavenotobservedanysuchdesignin Guyana,andIhopeitremainsthatway.Itwillbeabsolutelyheartbreakingifthateverhappens,butIcan assureyouthatIwillcontinuemyadvocacyagainstitif thateverhappens.
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent,
Welcomedearreading friend.Thisotherexercisewillstrengthenyour handlingofchronological sequencestatedorimplied inapassage.Givenajumbledlistofeventsessential tounderstandingapassage, youarethenaskedtoreorder themchronologically.This necessitatesyourconstant outwhenexactlythevarious eventstookplace.Notethat regularlyandskillfullyrelatingatexttoadocument,and
makinginferences,willhelpyou becomeabetterreader.Bewise.
Loveyou.
THEPASSAGE
Readingforrespondingtoset questions
Therearequestionsdesigned toseehowskillfullyyouhaveread andprocessed(calledparsing)text informationandtodemonstratethat youhavebothreadandunderstood it.Thisiscalledcomprehension.
Butnotethatyouusecomprehensionskillsfreelyallthetimein everydaylife.Forexample,when youworkoutwhatasignmeans,
Payattentiontothepassage belowcarefullyandrespondtoall thequestionssetafterit.
Familymembersdevelopa healthyfoundationwhentheylearn tocommunicatewitheachother inanhonestandopenway.When hasdevelopedhealthycommunicationhabitscanworkthrough andresolvetheissuethatdevelops Thismeansthatfamilymembersare abletolistenquietlyandunderstand most,ifnoteverythinganotherfamilymemberissaying,verballyand nonverbally.Whentheseconditions exist,thechanceofmisunderstandingislessened.
Familiesareimportantinour livesbecausetheycreate,clarify relationships.Theyprovideasense ofbelongingandsupport,encouraginglearningaboutrelationships, providementalmodelsoffriendship,andhelptoshapeviewsof romanticrelationships.Butlikeall relationships,familiesexperience frustration.
Thereshouldbeappreciation ofrelationshipindividually,butall familymembersshouldbeseenas importantpeopleinlife.Improving communicationinfamiliesrequires listeningandoralcommunication constructivelyandopenlywithredoesarise,itiscriticaltomanage differingopinionsandopposing viewssensitively.
1.Accordingtoparagraph1, whatisoneconditionthatmust existforfamiliestoworkouttheir problems?
2.Whatismeantbyeachofthe followingphrases:“healthycommunicationhabits,”“workthrough
andresolveissuesthatdevelop,”“anythinganother familymemberissayingverballyandnonverbally” inparagraph1?
3.Accordingtoparagraph2,whatareTWOben-
4.Explainasexplicitlyasyoucantheterm“listeningandoralcommunicationskills”inparagraph3, thatfamiliesrequire.
THEPOEM
thenaturalworldintheirworkofart.Theydescribe anaturalforceasthoughitpossesseshumanqualities. speechinwhichananimal,anobject,anaturalforce, oranideaisgivenpersonality,ordescribedasifit werehuman.LookatPercyByssheShelley’sstanza fromhispoem,“TheCloud.”Seeifyoucandetermine whatkindofpersonalityShelleyhasgiventhespeaker.
Fromtheseasandthestreams; Ibearlightshadefortheleaveswhenlaid Intheirnoondaydreams. Frommywingsareshakenthedewsthatwaken Thesweetbudseveryone, Whenrockedtorestontheirmother’sbreast, Asshedancesaboutthesun.
Andwhitenthegreenplainsunder, AndthenagainIdissolveitinrain, AndlaughasIpassinthunder.
Analysingandinterpretingthepoem:
1.Thispoemgivesthecloud’s(thespeaker’s) Howarepurpose(function)andmeaningattributed (assigned)byShelleytotheseactions?
2.Whatcharacteristicsdoesheattributetothe cloud?
3.Thisstanzaiscertainlydescriptive(vivid, graphic,pictorial).Explaintoyourstudypartnerwhy yousupportthisstatement.
READING:Contextclues
Contextcluesarehelpfulhintsthewritergivesyou, tolookcarefullyattheotherwordsinthesentenceto getthewordmeaningright.
HurricaneCharley,acategoryfourstormwith windsupto145milesperhour,movedinfromthe GulfofMexicoandstrucksouthwestFloridaon August13,2004.Beforeithit,newscasterswarned residentsthattheformidablestormwasapproaching. Peoplewholivedincertainareashadtoevacuateto besafe.ThehurricanemadelandfallatFortMyers, asouthwestFloridacity,andthentrackedacrossthe state.Then,thehurricanemovedoutintotheAtlantic andnorthwardalongtheeastcoast.
1.Whatdoes“formidable”mean?
A)forthcomingB)disturbingC)powerfulD) tropical
2.Allthecontextclueshelpyoudeterminethe meaningof“formidable”EXCEPT
A)residentshadtoevacuatetobesafeB)145 mphwinds
C)thedirectionofthestormwasnortheast D)newscastersissuingawarningtoresidents
Ifwearetobelievewomen’smagazinesandbathroom chats,theworldisalmostsolidlycomposedofpeople whoaredentalphobicandwho“hate”dentists.Except fortheUnitedStates,wherelawyersareinthenumber oneslot,dentistsaretheprofessionalsthatpeoplehate toconsult.Butpatently,itisnottrue.Sowheredoesall hassuchaphobia:theyenterthesurgerywithmuch thesametechniqueasawell-trainedcombatsoldier whilesussingoutaroompotentiallyfullofsnipersora presidentialbodyguardreconnoitringforassassins.They
Aformerhighschoolcolleagueaskedmewhataredentists’generalopinionsofpatientswhenthey(thepatients) meettosocialise.Thepeoplewhomostlyfeardentaltreatment(phobic)dominatetheconversation.
“You’renotgoingtohurtme,areyou?”theysay,quivering.Youaretemptedtoanswersomethinglike,“Notfrom thisdistance,no”butyourefrain.“What’sthatthen?”they say,feverishlypointingtosomethingyouareholding,partly inadvertentlybehindyou,inyourhand.“That”,youreply sympathetically,“iswhatwedentistscallaregistration form.“Well,itbreakstheice,atleast.
Thenyousmileasbroadlyaspossiblewithoutseeming leeryandinvitethemtotakeaseat.Thechancesarethat yoursurgeryisnotparticularlyspacious.Atleastmineisn’t. Itistakenupalmostcompletelywiththeinfamousdental chairandscary-lookingapparatuses,perhapsreminiscent ofamoderntorturechamber(orsomostpatientsthink) andcomputerequipment.Sowhatisthequestionthatthe patientsasknext?“WhereshallIsit?”
Theyoftenapologiseforbeingsilly,andyoustartto pitythemasyouplungeintotheirmedicalanddental history.Thencomesthemomentwhenyoumustdo somethingforthem.Thechatisoverfornow,anditis actiontime.Theysenseitimmediately.“Whatareyou
thentrythenextploy.Whatabouthavinganeedlein
Itdoessoundlikeamarvelloussolution.Theonly troubleisthatthepatientmeansforthemtoputoutforthe duration,notyou.Again,youpatientlyexplainthatallyou wanttodo(fornow,anyway)istoexaminethemouth.“All I’vegotinthishandisamirror.Okay?”“Okay,butwhat’s ontheotherhand?”Theyapologiseagain.Eventually,you gettohaveapeekattheirmouth.Thisisaccompaniedby themandatoryamountofarmgrabbing,askingyoutostop whiletheyswallow,andtheoccasionalcoughthrowninfor goodmeasure.
thetreatmentplanandthecost.Yougettheimpressionthat withtheextentthatthepatientmaybepreparedtocooperate andallowyoutoworkproperly,thesessionscouldstretch toyourretirementparty.
sincetheoverallbehaviourofthepatientinthechair dentist’sreputation,dentalphobicscouldrepresentan occupationalhazard.Howmanypatientsrealisethat themoretheyfearthedentistandresistthedental procedures,theworsethegeneraloutcomeoftheir theassumptionisthatwearereferringtopatients’fear ofthedentist,butsometimes,itmaybetheotherway around.
