Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 27-10-2024

Orealla

Bridging tradition and development

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Deputy Toshao of Orealla, Charles Sarius (Samuel Maughn photo)

A young lawyer’s journey to excellence

By Marissa V. Foster

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-

OLD Sufeena Supaul, who hails from the county of Berbice, recently graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School and was presented before the New Amsterdam High Court by Attorney General and Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. Sufeena ac-

knowledged that her family and community support were the main pillars of her success. Stemming from a home with her parents and two brothers, Sufeena stressed the importance of “a village raising a child”.

According to the new lawyer, she grew up with a strong influence from her parents. Her mother, an educator, always instilled struc-

ture and the importance of education. Her father, a mechanic, instilled compassion and gentleness in her personality. Together, they ensured that Sufeena pursued her dream of becoming a lawyer by working hard to support her academic journey. Sufeena emphasised that her parents gave her the platform to grow and thrive. She also received tremendous support

from her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins—all of whom she described as her “village”.

As a young girl, she aspired to be a lawyer. In fact, she mentioned that she was often ‘talkative’, loved humour, and had a naturally

That gave Sufeena insight into the daily challenges many people face and helped her realise the type of lawyer she wants to be—one who serves her community and country at large.

The Pepperpot Magazine asked Sufeena about the most

friends and always exercise their understanding and forgiveness with me,” said Sufeena. She added that her time spent in Trinidad was not without its challenges. She had to adapt to living alone without her family, which was a daunting experience at first. She eventually relied on hours of video calls from various family members whenever she felt homesick.

Sufeena is now one of Guyana’s youngest lawyers, but it took a lot of determination and perseverance on her part. “Growing up, I was always a curious child with many questions. Now that I’m older, I have retained that trait, but in a less annoying manner, I hope,” said Sufeena. She continued, “I have since lived, and continue to live, by the ways of learning. I am always willing and ready to learn and open to guidance. I think we all know the importance of continuous learning and that we should never let our pride obstruct us from taking guidance, even if it contradicts our beliefs. We should never let confirmation bias detract us from exploring other alternatives, and we must keep an open mind in this society to remain fair and just. I live by these beliefs and will always strive to maintain them.”

Sufeena also wanted to

curious nature. She could not think of another profession that better suited those traits. Sufeena said she was always the classmate or friend who tried to create a safe space for others. She loved mentorship, and as such, she often volunteered for certain positions.

challenging aspect of her academic pursuit in law, and she mentioned balancing a social life with her studies.

“As many of my friends can attest, I take a while to respond to texts, hardly make calls, and rarely hang out, but thankfully, they’re good

highlight that people have misconceptions about pursuing law, and she wanted to use this platform to clarify that. She mentioned that no one should be scared to pursue law because of the work it requires. “While it is

Sufeena Supaul, after her application to practise law at the New Amsterdam High Court

From right: Attorney General and Hon. Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, alongside Sufeena Supaul and her family

Sufeena Supaul alongside fellow Guyanese graduates at the Hugh Wooding Law School

Credits: Sufeena Supaul

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

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

The will to conquer prostate cancer

IMAGINE reaching the ripe age of retirement, and just when you were hoping to bask in the enjoyment of not having to work anymore, you had to break barriers by wearing a mask of determination and will to overcome prostate cancer, which had reached a critical stage.

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

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

Charles Brown, 70, has been cancer-free since last year when he overcame prostate cancer following rigorous radiation treatment after being diagnosed at Stage Three.

He told Pepperpot Magazine that he knew he had an enlarged prostate due to his multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart ailments, and hypertension, but he wasn’t aware he had cancer.

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

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

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

He attended the clinic at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he went for a biopsy, which confirmed his worst fears. Brown was, however, referred to the Cancer Institute of Guyana, where he underwent very costly radiation treatment after being diagnosed with prostate cancer at GPHC.

He reported that he is a survivor today because of God and strong support from his wife, children, and other family members.

“I am a believer, and I kept trusting in God, and the money came because, at that time, I wasn’t in a financial position to offset that kind of expense,” he said.

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

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

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

Thanks to his faith and the generosity of others, he was able to pay cash for 25 sessions of radiation treatment five days per week for seven weeks. Brown revealed that cancer treatments are very costly; he had to pay $113,000 for a CT scan and $770,000 for the radiation sessions.

Brown related that when he needed four injections, even his neighbour, Mr. Khan (only name given), supported him and imported them for Brown at no cost. Brown is very grateful, as the hospital was charging $100,000 per injection.

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

The pensioner added that along the way in his fight against prostate cancer, people, including his children, wife, and relatives, helped him come up with the cash, and he was amazed at

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

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

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

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

how things fell into place so quickly.

Brown told Pepperpot Magazine that after learning he had prostate cancer, he wasn’t bothered but rather concerned. He asked the doctor if it was a ‘death sentence,’ and the doctor replied in the negative, saying that if it is managed, the chance of survival is possible. He shared that radiation has side effects, which are still in his body, and he has to avoid sunlight. Parts of his body must be fully covered at all times, and he cannot use scented soaps.

Brown added that he even surprised himself because it took a lot to reach the stage he is at now. Without a network of family support and early intervention, his survival wouldn’t have been possible.

The pensioner reported that his life is somewhat normal now, though he follows a strict diet, and some days are better than others.

Originally from Kitty, Newtown, Georgetown, he relocated to Farm, East Bank Demerara, seven years ago. He was a truck (bush) driver for 40 years, plying the interior route before he retired.

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

Brown stated that being

tate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Prostate cancer detected early — when it’s still con-

fined to the prostate gland — has the best chance of successful treatment.

With early diagnosis and treatment, prostate cancer is often highly curable. Many people diag -

registered with the author ities is an avenue for net working and marketing the products, and it is benefi cial to have all your prod

cancer-free is a good feeling. He credits his good health to God, who has blessed him significantly, his wife, who is always there to support him, and, of course, his family and children.

He shared that he was beginning to feel discouraged, but he prayed a lot, asking for strength and good health to fight cancer, and he is happy he was able to overcome this challenge. The experience was very frightening, not knowing whether he would survive or not.

“I had always hoped for the best. I had the will to live for my family, and we collectively came together and did it because it was hard mentally, physically, and financially for us all, but we did it, and I am happy for that,” he said.

Prostate Cancer

“Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Falana Fraser and her products.

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

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of pros-

ucts certified, labelled, and well-packaged.

ed that she is constantly inspired by customers and their reviews and testimo nials of the products, and being a small business isn’t ‘all bed of roses’. It requires hard work, dedication, con sistency and money to stay keep going,” she said.

nosed when the cancer hasn’t spread beyond their prostate go on to live normal, cancer-free lives for several years following treatment.” (Sourced from Wikipedia)

Cancer Survivor, Charles Brown

Building a better life A young mother welcomes new opportunities

By Shaniya Harding.

ALL across Guyana, change is not only evident, it is impactful. While we know the ins and outs of the country’s massive changes, transformations are happening at the very base level for many Guyanese and in the farthest parts of the country. The village of Siparuta is best known for its farming and logging industries, which have seen little besides population growth in recent years. The community is now taking steps to re-invent itself as well as the lives of its people.

Twenty-four-year-old Merinda Charlie is one of Siparuta’s villagers. A young mother from Moruca, Merin-

da says that life in Siparuta has made countless opportunities possible, the most recent being the introduction of a machinery operation programme to the community by Guyana’s Board of Industrial Training. Although cited as a simple endeavour, the programme has garnered tremendous support with dozens of participants, many of them ambitious young women. Among them is Merinda, who sees the initiative as a significant stepping stone and a new way to take control of her own life.

Merinda was born and raised in the community of Moruca, Region 1, as the first of 10 siblings. She described her upbringing as hard. With the death of her father at

an early age, her mother took on the role of provider, which left a young Merinda with many household chores. “Life for me was hard growing up. My father died when I was nine. Mother raised me all by herself and sent me and all my siblings to school.” There were, however, a few similarities between Moruca and Siparuta, with farming being the biggest.

“We farmed with my mother and made things to sell. That’s how we maintained ourselves,” she said, adding, “In my family, there were 10 siblings, and I was the first. I had to look after three of my siblings from when they were two months old. I was just 11 years old.”

Although her early life

was filled with challenges, Merinda credits her child -

a grown woman does at the age of 10.”

mother saw Andrew and asked him if he liked me. He said ‘yes’,” she explained. “Over the years since then, we grew to love one another. We have one child together. We’ve been living here together for almost nine years now,” she said.

In November of 2016, the pair left Moruca and moved to Siparuta. “He brought me away from Moruca in November 2016. We worked on the farm together and raised the money so he could bring me to Siparuta,” she said. After coming to Siparuta, Merinda did not return to Moruca for five years. During that time, she was getting used to a new life in a new community.

Over the years, Merinda has played various active roles in Siparuta in an effort to get used to the community and its way of life. “I started working in Siparuta, trying to fit myself into different categories, doing things: Farmers group, Community Policing Group member, and part-time work at a health centre,” she said.

Community development

hood with teaching her many of the skills she has today. “Schooling was hard because, in the morning, Mummy got up at six o’clock for work. I had to bathe the children, put on their clothes, carry them to their babysitter, then come back, put on my clothes, and go to school.” She further added, “I learned to do things that

New beginnings

Almost eight years ago, Merinda met her now-husband, Andrew, during a trip he took to Moruca. The two met and soon became a couple, much to the surprise and excitement of her family. Merinda recalled how her mother met Andrew. “My

Siparuta is among many of Guyana’s rural communities taking bold steps to develop new and old sectors while bringing in new opportunities and people. According to Merinda, life in Siparuta has been more independent, with more space to develop herself, an experience she says she is grateful

Merinda Charlie, mother and prospective machine operator of Siparuta village (Samuel Maughn photo)

Most of the trainees of the programme are young people seeking new opportunities (Samuel Maughn photo)

Orealla

By Shaniya Harding.

OREALLA is one of Guyana's many picturesque places, where the only morning sounds are the rustle of trees and the noises of a few troublesome monkeys. Located fifty miles up the Corentyne River, the community lies at the furthest end of Guyana, rubbing shoulders with neighbouring Suriname. Of the more than one thousand two hundred people in the community, most are farmers and fishermen.

The people of Orealla and surrounding villages have crafted a unique and traditional way of life. However, the community of Orealla aims to show the rest of Guyana that tradition does not mean the absence of development. Currently seeking

Bridging tradition and development

the river has seen tremendous growth in recent times, with the country's economic boom calling many Guyanese back to their roots. Sarius shared that he was happy to see the people of Orealla return, some after decades spent overseas. "Orealla is located approximately 50 miles up the Corentyne River. Our village population is about 1,200 plus. However, the population is growing," he said. "About 20% of our villagers went abroad for job opportunities. With the current boom in Guyana, they are returning. So, our village is expanding rapidly."

Historically, Orealla has had one of the most diverse economies among indigenous communities, with logging, boat building, fishing, and now tourism being some of the most prominent players in the village's development.

son, we also had an invasion of parrots where thousands came and destroyed fruits. Not only the mangoes, which were in full season at that time, but different types of fruits," he said.

The droves of animals have not always been a challenge for Orealla’s farmers, says Sarius. However, with the growth in logging, as more trees disappear, animals seem to be moving closer to the community. Although other communities might consider mass extermination, the people of Orealla are taking a more animal-friendly approach. With most farms scattered, the village council is discussing the ambitious move of centralising the farms in a single location. "From the village level, we are looking at getting all farms together. As it stands, these farms are scattered,

to reinvent their traditional sectors of agriculture, fishing, and boat building, the community is thinking of new and creative ways to solve some age-old issues.

A well-known community with a popular name, not many people are sure of where the term ‘Orealla’ originated. While some say the Arawak word means 'white chalk,' Deputy Toshao of the village, Charles Sarius, said Orealla refers to the white residue left behind by the river on the rocky shore, a title that gained popularity because of visiting coastlanders who used the white rocks as a way to pinpoint the thensmall settlement.

The small community by

But agriculture has undoubtedly been more extensive than all other sectors combined. For decades, most of Orealla's people have been sustained by farming, particularly pineapple and cash crops.

In recent years, however, the community has been battling the most unlikely of pests: monkeys. According to Deputy Sarius, monkeys far outnumber the farmers, with hundreds causing havoc on acres of farmlands. "The monkeys are eating our pineapples and other fruits. That is our main concern presently," he explained. Parrots also destroy crops, with flocks ravaging groves of mangoes. "During the last mango sea-

ernment has been fulfilling its promises so far. They are doing their part. And we, as residents, also have a part to play. It will motivate people to focus on agriculture," he said.

Agriculture has been

and it is a disadvantage. If we have all the farms in one location, they will be better protected."

Sarius explained that with all the farms together, the village would be able to protect their crops better. If successful, the farms will be maintained by the community, with security and a network of nets being discussed as the main forms of protection. The issue of marauding monkeys and parrots is also being addressed at the national level, with the ministry set to visit the community to aid in implementing these plans. This intervention is greatly welcomed by the community, as is their appreciation for the council's ideas. "The gov -

SEE PAGE XVII

Deputy Toshao of Orealla, Charles Sarius (Samuel Maughn photo)

One of Orealla’s thriving shade houses (Samuel Maughn photo)

Falling trees and changing economies

How one traditional logger is embracing modern changes

By Shaniya Harding.

THE loud and sudden sounds of falling trees are not uncommon in the rich forest surrounding the community of Siparuta. The Region 6 community has had logging as one of its economic pillars for decades. Now, with technological developments across various sectors, logging is evolving as well. In a community where a large percentage of villagers are loggers, advancements in the sector mean changes in their lives.

Sunil Wong is one of Siparuta’s loggers and has been for more than two decades since he left school

at just 13. Now a master of his trade, 32-year-old Sunil has harnessed the traditional way of logging as a livelihood. However, the community’s logging industry will see drastic changes with the introduction of new machinery and skilled personnel. As this significant shift takes place, Sunil believes that not only will logging become easier, but more machines and skilled personnel will completely re-invent the logging sector in the region.

Training and development

Guyana’s Ministry of Labour and the Board of Industrial Training have made

machine operation classes possible in the community. Recent intervention by both local and governing bodies has been noticeable, says Sunil, with the presence of more resources and opportunities. “So far, everything has been going fine. This is mostly due to the government’s help and support. We’ve found that we have easier access to things now, and we help each other more and more,” he said.

Sunil’s childhood years were quite different. Due to his father’s job as a skilled carpenter, his family gained access to certain opportunities and resources. This was not the case for all of the village’s people. “When

I was growing up here, I didn’t find life to be too hard, you know. My parents had limited resources, but my father was a carpenter, and, because of him, I was able to reach where I am today. He helped me along the way, and it’s because of him that I’m standing here right now,” he said.

Finding his path

Growing up in Siparuta, Sunil faced his share of personal challenges after becoming a teenage father. Though still in school, he was faced with the responsibility of caring for a family. Sunil began working various jobs before he found his love for logging. ‘Ripping,’ as it is called in Siparuta, was a common job, and Sunil learned everything he knows about logging from his brother-in-law. “After I left school, I did some hunting, but later I focused on logging. That’s when I started learning how to rip lumber with a freehand chainsaw,” he said.

Over the years, Sunil has perfected the traditional way of logging, which he describes as demanding work. Describing a day’s work for a Siparuta logger, Sunil explains that a team sets out early in the morning to venture through the thick vegetation surrounding the

The hardest part, says Sunil, is the transportation costs.

“Everything is hard about logging. But it’s hard when we have to bring the logs back and pay royalties and so on,” he said.

Overcoming challenges

village. The suitable trees must be found and examined before they are cut down and brought back to the community to be processed and sold.

Logging is considered by many to be a dangerous job, with long walks in the forest and the possibility of

falling trees. Sunil admits that the job can, indeed, be dangerous, particularly for newcomers. “When I first started learning how to fall trees, I was really scared. The thought of cutting down a big tree for the first time was frightening because I didn’t know what was going to happen. But over time, I overcame that fear, and now

Sunil Wong, logger and villager of Siparuta village, Region Six (Samuel Maughn photo)

A team of Siparuta’s trainees interact with members from Guyana’s Board of Industrial Training (Samuel Maughn photo)

Green solutions in hygiene and beauty

Local entrepreneurs champion safer, sustainable alternatives in feminine care and nail industry

RECENTLY, the true extent and importance of eco-friendly products have become more evident and with an eco-friendly version of almost every product available in almost every country, Guyana is no different. This is due to a husband-and-wife duo leading the way in eco-friendly feminine hygiene products and now nail products.

Lexanne McPhoy and Theon Alleyne have been at the forefront of eco-friendly products in the realm of feminine hygiene and nail products. Lexanne, a skilled and registered nail technician, is the head of Women’s Haven, an eco-friendly alternative to essential hygiene products for women. The pair have begun a new venture with NSI Nail Salon and Nail Supplies. This natural alternative eliminates some of the most harmful chemicals found in nail polish and similar products.

November 6 will see Lexanne and a panel of experts tackle the benefits and distinctions of these natural alternatives, marking another milestone in Guyana’s journey towards eco-friendly beauty solutions. Through their combined efforts, Lexanne and Theon are not just transforming the beauty industry – they’re creating a healthier, more sustainable future for women in Guyana.

Speaking to Pepperpot Magazine about the event, Lexanne shared details about their upcoming Green Nail Salon “Lunch and Learn” event at the Ramada Hotel. “This is an event that we have for nail salons, beauty professionals, and nail suppliers. We want to bring nail technicians together with salon owners and discuss how we can transform our salons into eco-friendly spaces,” she said.

What makes Lexanne’s products unique is where they come from; she describes them as “Original, eco-friendlier, American-made nail products.”

Lexanne hopes to showcase her items to Guyanese nail technicians, including nails, acrylics, and other items.

The purpose is clear for this passionate entrepreneur: to bring together Guyana’s nail techs and share the benefits of more natural alternatives. “This event is about bringing awareness to eco-friendly products and biodegradable materials in our products and practices,” she said and emphasised the inclusive nature of their mission. “It’s a seminar, not a technical training. We want to attract nail technicians primarily, beauty salon owners, and even regular clients who get their nails done so they can choose salons that use the best products.”

Lexanne’s journey into eco-friendly beauty solutions wasn’t just business-driven – it was personal. “The products I supply are from a US company, and they meet higher standards,” she explains. “They are lower-odour, eco-friendly, and free of common allergens found in beauty products.”

The transition to eco-friendly products came from her own experiences. “I went on a journey to find products that could be safer for me, that could be healthier so I could work and not have to worry,” she said. “These products are made to US, European, UK, and Canadian standards. They don’t have some of the toxic chemicals and allergens that other products have, which sets them apart.”

Her personal experience underscores the importance of this change. “Starting with the nails, I began to feel the impact of using traditional products; you might catch a cold after a busy period or start coughing,” she explained.

Women’s Haven, Lexanne’s first venture into eco-friendly products, remains close to her heart: “I own a company called Women’s Haven. A lot of

people know me from Women’s Haven, and others know me from doing nails. So we want to connect the two, as both are eco-friendly ventures. Every day, I hear so many different things and experiences from the women I work with.”

From experience, Lexanne sees a clear connection between her ventures. “Women suffer in silence, whether with their feminine hygiene or when they get their nails done. Women’s Haven, going eco-friendly, can change that for them,” she said.

Theon, her husband and business partner, brings a strategic perspective to their mission. “The biggest thing is opening their minds to the possibility of earning more by transforming their space,” he explained. “Once you learn about this and start implementing these changes, it’s easier to move from offering low-cost treatments to charging more for eco-friendly, high-quality services.”

His passion for women’s health also matches his wife’s. “Organic feminine care is great for women because their cycles can reduce from seven days to three or four. Post-cycle, some women face itching or infections, but often it’s the products they’re using that cause it. By investing in better care, life becomes easier for both partners,” he shared.

Theon also emphasised the preventative aspect of their work. “The mission here is organic beauty, health, and wellness. Many women don’t pause to focus on themselves until they’re unwell, and often that’s too late. The goal is to get them to reflect and ask, ‘Am I being as healthy as I can be with the products I’m using and the experiences I’m having?’” he said.

The duo hopes to create a major shift in the realm of feminine hygiene and beauty by promoting more natural alternatives for the benefit of women all across Guyana.

Husband and wife duo, Lexanne McPhoy and Theon Alleyne (Delano Williams Photos)

THE FIRST ARCHIVES HUMANS CREATED WERE THE GRAPHIC ARTS

BEFORE the art of the alphabet was sculpted in stone, we discovered that the fruit we observed other species of tree climbers eating could, apart from appeasing our hunger, also colour our fingers. This enabled those among us with a strange ability to shape the creatures of our world and fears, and thus, the first artists emerged. Art became the expression that enabled our initial primitive logic and awareness, particularly due to the need to interpret the other terrible creatures of our world that would harm us and prey upon us.

With time, deeper observation was added, which led to further shaping of familiar imagery. We defined the hostile prehistoric predator not as a friend or an enemy, but rather as a challenge—a creature of awe, a test of our bravery and skill, our ability to survive, and our need to group together, forming the first tribes. With art and the mystery of the seasons, the passion to shape the world around us developed another talent: that of the inspiration of the scribe.

These talents were opened to the tribe, allowing them to question, suggest additions, develop beliefs, and, above all, create laws. The capacity to draw and sculpt the world around us induced a need for storytelling and music, expanding our imagination through the first rituals. This gave purpose and interpretation to our relationship with the world and our sense of belonging, along with our first efforts to define the concept of “whose world and what borders enveloped our spheres” from a tribal perspective.

It was the creative arts that enabled the evolution of our species despite challenging climates and the defiant layout of the lands we inhabited. We had long begun to conceptualise the seasons as controlled by ‘Gods’, with priesthoods presiding at times contrary to logic. In areas with more difficult terrain, human sacrifice was offered to the Gods. For example, the rise of ancient Khemet could not have triumphed without methods like irrigation systems developed through observation of the Nile’s flow. This no doubt coincided with the levels of collective teachings and the independence that allowed the creation of minds like Imhotep.

When we look at the oldest scripts, from ancient Khemet to the Maya, there are languages written by graphic designers—hieroglyphs, stone seals from the Indus Valley, clay tablets of the Sumerians, Chinese characters, and beyond. Art was a crucial ingredient on the path to what we now term civilisation.

It is not rational to evaluate that during anticipated times of conflict, the preservation of works of art and artefacts is held in such high esteem, often to be concealed before even human casualties occur. The continuity of the tribe becomes even more evident through this. Thus, the preservation of significant landmarks and icons larger than life will remain a people’s resurrection and continuity. I’ve always wondered why some national authority did not retain photographs of past historic buildings; perhaps the answer lies in the nation’s lapse in valuing the arts through a long aesthetic slumber.

BLACK CROWS FLYING

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

LAXMI

God.

“Hey andhan ki maharani Oh, Jai Laxmi Rani”

How, then, did evil interrupt her life?

No one had an answer.

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

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

What happened to her?

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

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

VERSES of a Hindu devotional song filled the air as the festival of Diwali approached. On this auspicious occasion, the souls of mortals across the Hindu world are touched by the beauty of the Goddess’s divine presence, for in their belief, she amplifies love, prosperity, and light. Thus, in the darkest night, her light is the illumination that guides and gives blessings as she is honoured through prayers, songs, and dances.

Stories of battle, fate, and love from the Hindu scriptures are told and retold, and for one devotee named after Laxmi—the Goddess of Light—a sad story unfolds. In a mandir, in a quiet area in the countryside, she sat, her eyes closed in prayer, mesmerised as always by the devotional songs. Often, her mind would travel back in time to the pe-

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

friends, whom I trusted to take me home.”

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

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

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

for answers, for a miracle. On the fourth week, his eyes opened, and slowly, day by day, he recovered from his injuries. But something was wrong.

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

He was not the same person.

The injuries to his brain had affected his mental state, causing memory lapses, and the conclusion from medical experts was that he might never fully regain his memory. It was a devastating blow for her, his family, and everyone who knew him as a young, ambitious man, but her faith did

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

not falter. Her heart had spoken the first time when she saw him acting the role of Shree Ram in the Diwali motorcade. Finding love on an auspicious night was something she held dear, and just as Seeta had stayed with her husband in exile, Laxmi would stay with Ranbir until he found his way out of the dark world.

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

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

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

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

Betrayed by those who masqueraded as friends.

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

riod of kings, mortal gods, demons, and battles. From a little girl, her mind had been impressed by the history of her Hindu culture and religion, and as she grew up, she read many texts that gave her a deep sense of understanding.

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

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

Tears misted her eyes as she reached home, and lying in bed, her hand touched the empty space beside her. She whispered, “I miss you so much.”

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

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

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

A cynical smile played on Aryana’s lips as the viewing began, and she whispered, “It’s showtime.”

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

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

Aryana watched her killers hurriedly leave and smiled, cold fury in her eyes, “It’s just the beginning.”

To be continued…

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

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

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

Epic stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata held her in awe, and tonight, as the true devotee she was, she sang, recounting one part of the story where it all began— the significance of Diwali, of the palace in Ayodhya where Shree Ram, the mortal god, was born, his exile, and his return on the darkest night when earthen lamps were lit to illuminate his path.

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

As she walked home that night from the mandir, Laxmi reflected on the beautiful love story of the Hindu god Ram and his wife Seeta, and she wondered, “Will my husband, my Ram, ever return?”

For four years, she had held onto hope and faith that he would, that one day, he would find his way out of the dark world where he was lost and reunite with her. They had been a young couple, married for just over a year when tragedy intruded on their lives.

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

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

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

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

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

He had been riding home from work on his motorbike one night, having worked late, when a speeding Tundra, driven recklessly by a drunk driver, hit him. The massive brain injuries he had suffered left his life hanging by a thin thread for weeks. The shock had shattered her world, but her faith was deep, and she refused to accept the fact that his chances of survival were very slim.

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

“No,” she had cried, “He isn’t leaving me, he can’t leave me.”

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

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

She had prayed day and night, imploring the gods

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

LAXMI...

FROM PAGE IX On the doctor’s advice, she had brought him home, for he needed love and care that were like a lifeline to him. She spoke in her soft voice and sang songs for him, hoping they would trigger the beautiful memories of the love they shared, but just fleetingly, he would remember. Things took a turn for the worse when he started having manic episodes that caused him to behave aggressively, and his doctor advised that he be placed under psychiatric care.

It had not pleased her heart to do so, but she and his family were left with no other option, having tried everything they could for him. The specialist assured them that progress would be slow but that one day, he might recover and be himself again. Four years had passed by, his progress slow, and during her visits, whenever he remembered her, he would hold her hands and cry, a deep plea in his eyes. Every day, she prayed, “Please Lord, send my husband back to me.”

Many people in his life had given up hope that he would ever recover, and some advised her to move on with her life.

“You’re young and beautiful,” they had said, “With your whole life ahead of you. Why wait for him when there’s no coming back?”

“Because I believe,” she had said firmly, “I believe in the miracle of prayers.”

They had scoffed at her, calling her foolish for giving up so much in her life.

“How can I give up on a love blessed by the gods?” she had asked herself.

For the past three years, since he was under psychiatric care, she had lit a diya for him on Diwali night, waiting as the oil burnt low, hoping he would come home and call her name. But her Ram had still not found his way. She turned, hugging the pillow beside her, and her eyes closed in sleep. For the next three days, Laxmi dedicated herself to preparations for Diwali, lending her creative skills to her mandir’s intricate design for the motorcade—a stunning display of colour, glitter, and lights. On the night of the motorcade, the spectacular floats, beautiful beyond words, sent a thrill of pride through her body.

“I wish you were here, Ranbir,” she said quietly, a soft cry in her heart, “It was a night like this when we met.” Her sadness weighed heavily on her, and she did not attend the cultural show with her friends, preferring to be alone with her memories and thoughts.

“I wonder what you are doing right now?”

A sudden thought occurred to her that she could go and see him and show him the pictures of the floats. She called the doctor, who thought it was a good idea, and the male nurse let her in, standing by in case the patient’s behaviour became aggressive.

Ranbir was standing in his room, facing the wall. Calling his name softly, she waited for his response. A short moment later, he turned, his head still bent. She called his name again. He raised his head slowly, running his hand through his thick hair that had grown a bit long, and looked at her with a smile. A surge of relief filled her heart, thinking he had made further progress in his recovery, but the dull look in his eyes dampened her hope.

Nevertheless, she showed him the pictures on her phone, and for fleeting moments, recognition glinted in his eyes. Then he got up and walked back to the wall. She made to call him, but the nurse attendant shook his head slowly, and with a heavy heart, she turned to leave

As she walked out of the door, she heard him say in a quiet tone, “Laxmi.”

She stopped and inhaled deeply, fighting back tears. Turning to look at him, she saw tears in his eyes. For one helpless moment, because of fate’s stumbling block in their way, they stood there looking at each other, both crying.

The earthen lamps were lit on Diwali, illuminating the

night when Shree Ram came out of exile, guided by the Goddess of Light—a most beautiful, wondrous sight.

Laxmi lit a diya at her altar, but tonight, as she did her pooja, she did not ask the gods for a blessing or a miracle. She closed her eyes and spoke instead to her husband, from the depths of her heart.

“I’m waiting for you, Ranbir, to hear your voice, if not today, maybe tomorrow or another day. I may grow old, you may grow old, but whatever happens, I will always love you.”

The night wore on, the oil in the diya burning low, and as the light flickered, her eyes closed in sleep. A short while later, she was awakened by Ranbir’s voice calling her, “Laxmi.”

She sat up and looked at the altar. The flame was still burning, but all was silent.

“I must have been dreaming,” she sighed, and as she got

up from the sofa to go to bed, she heard his voice distinctly calling her name. She ran to the verandah and saw him standing at the gate, as real as ever, his doctor with him.

“Ranbir!” she cried, rushing down the stairs, gasping for words, “Are you…? Have you…?”

He put a finger to her lips, the smile on his face reflecting in his eyes, and he hugged her, remembering, at last, who the beautiful woman was with the soft voice and sweetest smile, who had never given up on him—his wife.

“I missed you so much.”

Happiness filled her heart, and songs seemed to fill the air as she stood in her husband’s arms, a few diyas around still alight. Her deep devotion and love had lighted a path for him to find his way out of the dark world, and on this Diwali night, she was reunited with her Ram—the miracle of prayers.

REVISITING THE TOPIC OF MANGROVES

DIWALI SHUBH! HAPPY DIWALI!

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

When the Dutch colonisers first visited Guyana in the 17th century, they observed that Mangroves were growing along the entire coast, in some parts so thick that they could be considered mangrove forests.

The Dutch first settled on the coast and utilised the mangrove as a convenient and easy source of wood for house building, fires for cooking, and even for making boats and rafts. Only when they had cut down large stretches of mangrove and the sea had begun to come up on the land did they understand the importance of mangroves as an effective defence against the sea and flooding. They held up to their mangrove depletion, and to avoid the threat of constant flood-

ing, they began to move their settlements to the river banks towards the end of the 18th century. In 1815, when Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice finally ceded to Britain, they were united in 1831 to form the colony of British Guiana.

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

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

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

DIWALI only became a national holiday after Independence. Before then, its celebration was confined almost wholly to the Indian community. With the advent of Independence, it was felt that the country would become more integrated and stronger if the various communities learnt more about and shared in each other’s cultures. Thus, Hindu and Muslim holy days, which were previously confined to the Indian community, were made into public holidays so that all communities could participate in them, and Diwali was among the most important.

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

Its spiritual, religious, and celebratory aspects were universalistic, so the whole nation could easily and happily participate in its celebrations. Its message was that light will prevail over darkness, truth over untruth, justice over injustice, unity over disunity, and loving-kindness over hatred, anger, and violence. These spiritual teachings are manifested in human activities and constant encounters between human beings. The celebratory aspects include hospitality extended

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

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

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

to neighbours and strangers, singing, dancing, and music, with decorations and bright lights and colours pervading homes and communities, with diyas symbolising this.

The richest and most important aspect of Diwali is the traditions that have become attached to it as it moves through the millennia. Though traditions differ, they are united in their teaching that light will overcome darkness and good will always prevail over evil. The three traditions prevailing in Guyana are the return of Lord Rama from banwas (his exile), the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, and the overarching presence of Maha Lakshmi and the many virtues she personifies.

King Dasaratha ruled over the prosperous kingdom of Ayodhya. His three queens bore him three sons—Rama, Lakshmana, and Bharata. The three sons, unlike their mothers, were very close to each other and shared a deep mutual love. The son who was to succeed to the throne was Rama, who was very popular and respected, excelling in whatever activities he engaged in. Everyone looked forward to Rama as heir apparent, except Bharata’s mother, who desired her son to be king.

DIWALI SHUBH! HAPPY DIWALI!..

FROM PAGE XII

She, therefore, manipulated the old and weak king to send Rama into exile far away into the deep jungle for 14 years, during which Bharata would rule the kingdom.

Bharata saw the injustice to which Rama was being subjected and refused to sit on the throne, placing Rama’s slippers on the pedestal and vowing that if Rama did not return at the end of the 14 years, he would take his own life. Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana then set out for their exile. During his exile, Rama experienced many trials and dangers, and these are recounted in the famous epic, the Ramayana.

At the end of 14 years, the people of Ayodhya, with great rejoicing, lit up their homes and placed diyas along the streets to welcome Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. This was the first Diwali, which has been perpetuated for the last 5,000 years.

The other Diwali tradition commemorated in Guyana is the story of Narakasura. Narakasura had divine ancestry and had performed the most exacting of the tapasya (penances), which made him equal in power to the Gods. He approached Lord Brahma and requested boons, as he was now entitled to do, and asked to be made immortal. Lord Brahma told him that the gift of immortality was forbidden, but he could ask for something else. He asked that he could only be killed by his mother, knowing that his mother would never kill him. He then took to a life of terrorising the inhabitants of the Heavens and Earth, committing massive atrocities until the people of Earth petitioned Lord Vishnu for salvation from the demon. The only being capable of matching and eliminating the demon was Lord Krishna, and the Gods persisted for him to engage the demon.

When setting out to battle Narakasura, Lord Krishna’s wife, Satyabhama, insisted that she accompany him, which he reluctantly allowed. Krishna and Narakasura struggled for a very long time until Lord Krishna was able to cut off the demon’s five heads with his Vajra, his mysterious projectile weapon. But Narakasura kept fighting until Satyabhama shot him dead with her arrows. She was able to kill him because, without being aware of it, she was the reincarnation of Narakasura’s mother.

The populations of the Heavens and Earth, being freed of this pervasive evil, were overjoyed and celebrated with illuminations and feasting, which are perpetuated in present-day Diwali celebrations. Narakasura, in his depredations, had kidnapped 16,000 women who, having been under the demon’s control, were considered outcasts and ostracised. To rescue them from this terrible fate and rehabilitate them into society, Lord Krishna married all 16,000.

More than the Narakasura tradition, the worship of Maha Lakshmi permeates Diwali. Maha Lakshmi personifies all that is good, pleasant, and cultured in human life. She personifies light, wisdom, morality, prosperity, wealth, and happy human relationships. People worship her during Diwali to elicit those qualities for themselves and their families. Diwali is celebrated with the same festivities as in the other traditions, with light and illumination particularly emphasised, as Lakshmi is the deity who personifies the triumph of light over darkness. On Diwali night, doors are kept open to allow Maha Lakshmi to enter and welcome guests. Those who desire wealth or generate it, like the business community, pay particular worship to Lakshmi during Diwali.

Phantom Pains

IN the 1950s, a military surgeon by the name of Ambroise Paré recorded the phenomenon of ‘phantom pains’ for the first time. It was an unfortunate fact that many soldiers often lost limbs during their period of service, especially in times of war. Although the limbs were fully gone from the person’s body, they continued to report feeling sensations in the missing limb. More specifically, they reported pain that was, in some cases, excruciating. Naturally, this problem was baffling for many doctors and surgeons, including Ambroise Paré. After all, how could a doctor cure pain coming from a part of one’s body that no longer existed? The phenomenon of phantom pain is very real and is still studied today. People continue to report pain in limbs that no longer exist. In some cases, they even report pain from internal organs that have already been surgically removed. Unfortunately, we do not know the exact cause of the issue, nor do we have a perfect solution. Phantom pains remain a modern mystery.

Nestled deep within this strange and unfortunate phenomenon is a simple metaphor that can bring some of our own troubles into an interesting perspective. Phantom pains can be so severe that they can drive a person to a state of hopelessness and depression. Even if the pain itself were manageable, the fact that it might never be cured or taken seriously as a medical condition could drive a person to the edge of their limits. In simpler terms, a whole human being could be broken into pieces not by pain, but by the mere ghost of it. Though they survive losing an entire part of their body, they become trapped by its phantom.

An important part of growing up is facing obstacles in a healthy way. Of course, obstacles tend to occur in every aspect of our lives. They also have the ability to fall within a continuum that determines the exact extent to which they will affect us. It is crucial for us to learn to respond to obstacles in a way that correlates with their nature and seriousness. More importantly, it is vital for us to understand when to stop thinking about an obstacle. Every struggle we encounter during the course of our lives is an opportunity for growth. However, if we refuse to move on from our struggles even after they have ended, then there is no way for us to grow or learn. We become trapped by the phantom of an obstacle that has already been removed from our lives. This is how factors such as stress and anxiety begin to infiltrate the lives of many young people.

We are no strangers to the old adage, “Don’t cry over spilt milk”. These words remind us that even when we experience negative situations in our lives, we must not linger on the things we have lost or on the things we have failed to gain. Instead, we must focus on what happens next and how we can heal and move on from the past. This is the only way to ensure that we are not captured by our own form of “phantom pain”.

Human beings are complex and wonderful creatures. We have the ability to map out stars and build cities with nothing more than the sheer strength of our collective minds. Our dreams have the power to shape reality. Our thoughts have the power to shape our identities. With all this in mind, it is no wonder that when we choose to feed the powerful engine of our minds with negative thoughts, we begin to feel quite awful. If we constantly think about the difficult situations and losses of the past, we will eventually convince ourselves that we are still living through them.

Youth is a powerful and inspiring phase. It is bursting with opportunities for growth and new beginnings. Even the most desolate memories can dissolve when we consider what we are capable of achieving tomorrow. Let us choose to face the golden future that awaits us rather than waste our precious energy recounting the past that has already left us.

Financial abuse needs more awareness

The transition of a graduate to an employee

THIS time of year is usually known as the peak season for graduations. It can be an exciting time, but it can also bring a sense of worry. Many may begin to worry about their future and what lies ahead, such as job readiness and employment. I vividly remember the challenges of transitioning into a career after completing my studies at the University of Guyana. You are taught the essentials of your profession or field. You learn the theories, practices, and values that underpin your profession or field. Whether you’re graduating from a university or secondary school, you are seldom taught how to join the workforce and how to navigate job preparation successfully. This can seem lonely and even overwhelming. As such, I am dedicating this week’s column to helping young students and graduates who are now preparing for the world of work.

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

Employers are now demanding innovative workers with unique skills. The job market is very competitive, and as such, you need to be on top of your game. You need to set specific goals and create a strategic plan on how you will navigate the process of gaining employment. One of the most critical aspects is compiling a Curriculum Vitae (CV). When most employers request applications, they will ask for your CV to be attached. Therefore, it is the first step to gaining employment after graduating. My best advice is to research templates for a CV or use apps such as Microsoft Word or Canva to help you create one. A CV is best written while you are still studying so you can capture the essence of your academic activities, such as participation in student societies or volunteering. A CV should give a concise picture of your education, experiences, skills, titles, awards, and jobs you have held in the past or present. A CV must also not be a fixed document—it should be adapted depending on the job and skills required.

In most cases, after the application process, an interview is required. I often describe job interviews as the opportunity to see if you “walk the talk.” The fact that you were shortlisted for an interview means your application and CV were most likely impressive to the interviewer. The interview is where you are questioned about your interests, competency, and skills. It’s good to practise with mock interviews with trusted friends or associates. Ensure you research the company or organisation you are applying to and have a good understanding of their mission and values. Landing your dream job is a great accomplishment, but even if you don’t succeed with a specific job, do not give up. You should regroup and try again with other opportunities.

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

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

After graduating, I got the job I wanted, but I soon realised that I still needed to grow professionally and academically. That was not the end of the road for me, and it certainly should not be the end for you, either. I urge you to continue building professional networks, seek mentorship from senior personnel in your field, continue to develop your skills and academic pursuits, and also maintain a professional social media presence. Currently, the demands for employment are also changing, especially in Guyana. Certain skills, such as social media management, are highly valued. You can now consider part-time employment, remote work, and even seasonal employment. Therefore, it is essential to understand these demands and invest in yourself. The world of work can seem intimidating for some, but with resilience and persistence, you can excel. Good luck to all the new graduates of 2024—I hope that this article helps in your pursuit of excellence.

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

Building a better...

FROM PAGE IV for. “In Siparuta, people live independently.” She further added, “In Siparuta, you can find work that suits the community: lumber, logging. There are different types of work available,” she said. Moreover, the expansion of opportunities has not been limited to the men of the community, and a drastic rise in the number of women working in Siparuta has been seen. Growing up with a mother who struggled to find work to support her family, Merinda says she is happy to see more opportunities opening up for the new generation of women. She is even happier to be at the forefront of this movement. “Now, with this government so far, in the past nine years, they’ve brought in plenty of work so that women can fit in.” She added, “We find it much easier because my son has a far easier life than the way I grew up.”

Now, a mother of a six-year-old son, also named An-

drew, Merinda shares that her son now has access to many of the things she struggled to find as a child, marking a major generational change. “Things I never had while growing up, my son gets access to them very easily,” she said. This coming December, Merinda will be one of Siparuta’s several female licensed machine operators, something uncommon in most parts of Guyana. This certification is a stepping stone and will open a wide range of opportunities, with new infrastructure work happening in the region where licensed machine operators will be in high demand, and Merinda plans to be at the forefront of this shift. “I know that they want licensed drivers, so I intend to apply and do that,” she said.

Merinda says she sees the demand for operators and is happy to fill the gap (Samuel Maughn photo)

Orealla...

FROM PAGE V

the backbone of the village for many years, which may be why Orealla's young people are less interested in the field. This is why the village council is working to reignite their passion for farming by introducing new projects to keep the age-old occupation thriving. "Presently, the young people

are looking at agriculture as an old person's job. So, we have changed that way of thinking. We must turn agriculture, our farms, into business," said the Deputy Toshao. He further added, "We will target coconut growing, passion fruit, and other crops that are in high demand. And we have the workforce here."

However, farming is not

the only area the village is aiming to develop, with plans in motion to advance everything from drainage and irrigation to tourism and infrastructure. These diverse efforts aim to create a self-sustaining community that honours its indigenous heritage while embracing modern opportunities.

Only human teeth decay

ALTHOUGH all mammals have teeth, most do not suffer from bad teeth or what is known as tooth decay. Why is this so? Well, tooth decay occurs when several factors coincide. First, there must be a tooth that is susceptible to decay. Second, there must be dental plaque, i.e. bacteria that ferment carbohydrates to produce acids, which in turn erode the tooth enamel. Finally, carbohydrates must be present to be fermented by the bacteria. In addition, there must be sufficient time for demineralisation (dissolution of the tooth enamel) to occur and insufficient time for the body’s natural defence mechanism, which remineralises the tooth, to

repair the damage.

Each of these three factors is, in turn, affected by other factors. For example, the presence of fluoride aids remineralisation and alters the tooth structure. The net effect is that the tooth surface is less vulnerable to decay. The frequency of eating is also important because the more often food is eaten, the more opportunities bacteria have to ferment carbohydrates. Saliva also plays a role by neutralising acid, providing minerals for remineralisation, and helping to clear food from the mouth more quickly. So, the more saliva produced in the mouth, the less chance there is of tooth decay.

A Dutch study found that the time food is retained in and around the mouth is more important for tooth decay than the sugar content of the foods. The researchers com-

Only human teeth..

FROM PAGE XIX

pared sugar solutions to meals plus snacks and found that carbohydrate-rich foods that tend to cling to the teeth were more likely to cause tooth decay than sugar solutions. These foods are not necessarily those we think of as “sticky”—for example, toffee melts and clears from the mouth more quickly than some starch-containing foods.

The major emphasis on sugar and sugar-containing foods as being implicated in tooth decay has shifted. It is now known that many carbohydrate-containing foods traditionally believed to be tooth-friendly, such as bread, have the potential to contribute to tooth decay. For example, starchy foods like bread lead to the production of acid by plaque bacteria, and all fruit has the potential to cause tooth decay, yet we should continue to eat these foods for pleasure and because of their health benefits.

Good oral hygiene and the use of fluoride, particularly when applied topically via fluoride toothpaste, have lessened the importance of diet in tooth decay. However, in countries where fluoridated toothpastes are not widely available, frequent intake of carbohydrate-containing foods remains an essential factor in tooth decay.

The primary source of dietary fluoride is drinking water with fluoride content. Fluoride is ubiquitous in foodstuffs, with the richest sources being tea and marine fish. Good oral hygiene and the use of fluoride are now considered the main factors in preventing tooth decay. The following tips provide advice for helping to keep teeth caries-free.

Begin dental care early; start brushing teeth as soon as the first baby teeth erupt. Do not make it a habit for infants to go to sleep while drinking from a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened beverages. The sugars remain on the teeth for long periods and can lead to baby bottle tooth decay. Clean with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, and clean around the teeth with dental floss or toothpicks once a day. Avoid eating after cleaning teeth at bedtime, as salivary flow decreases while we sleep. Sugar-free chewing gum has been shown to be tooth-friendly as it helps increase saliva flow and clears food debris from the mouth. How often you eat and drink counts. Allow time between eating occasions for saliva to neutralise the acids. Do not nibble food or sip drinks continuously. Advice on diet should be based on good dietary practices consistent with general healthy eating guidelines.

A young lawyer’s journey to ....

FROM PAGE II

true that ‘the law is a jealous mistress,’ it depends on what you value and where your determination lies as a person. As long as you are motivated and love what you are doing, it will not be hard, and you will not find the time and effort that studying law requires to be overly exhausting. Over time, it becomes something you do rather than something you have to do,” said Sufeena.

The Berbician lawyer has already started a private practice and is attached to a firm. She stressed that she is already halfway on the road to gaining experience, which was her first plan. This law enthusiast intends to pursue a Master Degree in Oil and Gas Law. She hopes to eventually join that sector, not only for the insight and variety that practising in that field will offer but also to represent Guyana in some capacity. She further emphasised that her current commitment is to private practice, where she can help her fellow citizens. She still holds onto the compassion of helping others and stated that she will never neglect that aspect of practice, as she plans to pursue both paths concurrently.

Falling trees and changing ...

FROM PAGE VI

I’m more careful with everything I do. I’ve learned a lot from those early days.”

The current training in Siparuta is just one of various initiatives slated for the region. Machine operation was of particular importance to Sunil. Over the years, he has seen very little change in the way logging has been done in the community. The addition of new skills means not only the expansion of the existing logging sector but could lead to entirely new sectors. “I’m happy with the training we’re doing now. It’s important for me because I want to pass the test so I can get a better job in the future. The work

we do, especially logging, is very tough. You’re out there all day, drinking your water, dealing with the heat from the sun, and then you have to get up and do it all again the next day. But with this training, it’s helping us a lot. It’s making things simpler and more manageable,” he said.

December will see the team of Siparuta’s trainee operators take a test and become licensed operators. In a community of a few hundred, a few dozen operators will have a big impact. As Sunil stated, “If we pass these tests and get these new jobs, it will have a huge impact not only on logging but on Siparuta too.”

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Take the life-lie from the average man and straightaway you take away his happi- ness.

HENRIK IBSEN (1825-1906) The Wild Duck (1884), Act 5

STUDY SUCCESS

Dear Student, Welcome dear reading friend. Another way to help you understand a text is to be asked to use its information to complete another text. Can you, from a given text, predict

OCTOBER 27, 2024

possibilities, extract relevant points, and relate the information given in the text to that of another text? All right. Why not try reading a given letter and then writing a letter in answer to it? This activity is natural for any good reader to participate in successfully. Be wise.

Love you.

READING THE PASSSAGE

A.. Reading comprehension

Read the passage and then respond to all the questions below it.

Very often people are killed, or property is destroyed by natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Of all natural disasters, hurricanes are probably, except for earthquakes, the most destructive.

Hurricanes usually start in the tropics over the ocean and develop between the period June to October. They consist of strong winds and rain. As the hurricane develops the winds spin around with greater and greater force. To be considered a hurricane the winds must exceed 120 kilometres an hour.

A hurricane consists of two parts. The outer part of the hurricane consists of strong winds which may cover an area 80 to 800 kilometres wide. The strong winds surround the eye of the hurricane. The eye is a relatively calm area at the centre of the hurricane. The eye is about 20 kilometres in diameter and has few winds or clouds.

Although the strong winds of a hurricane may exceed 120 kilometres an hour, the hurricane itself moves forward slowly and may move at an average speed of 20 kilometres an hour. As a hurricane leaves the ocean and moves over land, it begins to weaken and gradually dies.

1. A natural disaster is caused by (A) man’s negligence. (B) tornadoes. (C) nature. (D) earthquakes.

2. In your own words, how do hurricanes usually develop?

3. In order to be considered a hurricane the speed of the wind must exceed

(A) 800 kilometres an hour. (B) 30 kilometres an hour.

(C) 500 kilometres an hour. (D) 120 kilometres an hour.

4. The width of a hurricane may range from

(A) 80 to 800 kilometres. (B) 500 to 800 kilometres.

(C) 240 to 800 kilometres. (D) 120 kilometres.

5. How many parts does a hurricane have?

6. When the centre of a hurricane passes over an area

(A) some people may believe the hurricane is over.

(B) most of the people go to

safety.

(C) most people die. (D) the most damage occurs.

7. What clues did you find in the passage that helped you to choose an answer for question 6?

8. Which of the following statements is true?

(A) A hurricane moves forward when its winds stop spinning around.

(B) The winds in a hurricane do not spin around.

(C) The winds in a hurricane spin around and move forward at the same time.

(D) Hurricanes occur only in June and October.

9. Why is the eye of a hurricane described as a ‘relatively calm area’?

10. About how long does the hurricane season last?

11. Why do you think the hurricane weakens when it leaves the ocean and travels over land?

(A) The winds move too slowly. (B) It has gone off course.

(C) The strong winds meet too many buildings.

(D) It receives no more energy from the sea.

12. The passage gives information mainly on (A) tornados and hurricanes. (B) the parts of a hurricane.

(C) the characteristics of a hurricane. (D) how a hurricane develops.

B.. Reading comprehension

Read the passage below carefully and then answer all the questions that follow.

“My turn now,” said Bobby, and the others ran to hide as he started to count. Celia was hunting for a good hiding-place among the trees to the fence when she heard a low hiss. She looked keenly, but though her eyes were used to the darkness, she could see no one. The hiss came again – surely from very near?

Celia turned this way and that, trying to see with her whole body, to pierce the darkness. As the sound came again, she rushed straight towards it and then gasped in surprise as she felt flesh against her face and outstretched hands.

Then she realised what the scamps were doing. Dingo and Jiggs had taken off their shirts. In the moonless dark of the night, their brown skins would make them invisible. Their pants, being a dull khaki, were quite safe from detection. She wanted to laugh out, but Bobby would be sure to hear. In fact, he was already coming in their direction. Celia was hastily pushed behind Jiggs and cautioned to stay absolutely still. As Bobby approached, it gave her a strange feeling to know that he was looking straight at them and could not see them. She felt as though she was really invisible, as if she needed his seeing to make her really exist. She felt like insubstantial, a ghost. Bobby came to within a few feet of them, then wandered off, still searching earnestly.

And so, time passed – days of schoolwork and afternoons of play, Mrs. Wilson had great trouble trying to get the children to settle down to serious homework during the evenings. Dingo and Jiggs hated any form of regimentation and could not see why they should do more work at home than they did at school. This of course made Celia reluctant to do her work too. One day matters came to a head.

(Adapted from Jay Moore, “The Cousins”)

1. What games were the children playing?

2. Why did Dingo and Jiggs remove their shirts while playing?

3. What did the boys do to make Celia call them ‘scamps’?

4. Identify two phrases, one in paragraph 1 and one in paragraph 3 which indicate that the children took the game seriously.

5. Quote the evidence from paragraph 3 that suggests that Celia was uncomfortable with not being seen.