Pepperpot 03 20 2016

Team Hosororo United - the little football club with big dreams

► Page XXVI

Three members of the team. The player in the middle is fondly referred to by his colleagues as Balloteli, the Italian player

No fancy equipment

► Page XXV

Cassava: Erlene Mc Donald showcases cassava bread and cassava biscuits also made by the women of the Parishara Organic Food Processors Association

The women of the Makushi village of Nappi in Region Nine are a hardworking group who are now churning out more than just peanut butter; their range of products includes cassava bread and a spinoff product called cassava biscuits, and salted and sweet peanuts. As Ariana Gordon explains, it’s not that they have “fancy” equipment to their work, but they are determined to make the best use of produce grown in the Rupununi.

II

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Like Somebody Sprinkle Guinea Pepper?

“Is how come dese ’oman-drawers get pon my jackass eh?”

You see what I telling you? Somebody mustbe sprinkle guinea-pepper pon this campground...is another tekups cranking up. Watch – Is Sweetbeak – he picking up some panty from his jackass and he pelting them cross the camp. D prostitute that they calling Steeldonkey...stand up quiet, quiet, at a corner table weighing her gold on a lill scale? she ain getting in no tekups; but you see since Sweetbeak say so?

Steeldonkey jump – like if somebody jook her – and she start rush-up to tek-on Sweetbeak.

Then she remember her gold…she tun-back quick, quick.

This time, Steeldonkey tekking her time. She trow d gold back in d inhaler kiddy. She cover it and she shove it in her bosom cool-cool-like. Everybody in d camp could tell that is rev Steeldonkey revving-up so. But Sweetbeak getting on like he ain digging she; and is what he saying now?

“Steeeuuuwwpps! Is where else you going go in dis bush to find more ‘oman-drawers in pork-knocker-camp than in-a-dis-ya camp right here eh? When done alyuh wondering is why d goal a-hide he face? Gold must hide he face when it got ‘oman-drawers all over pork-knocker place! WO-MAN PANTY AND DRY CO-CO-NUT AIN GOT NO RIGHT IN PORK-KNOCK-A CAMP!” Sweetbeak bawling to the top of he voice and he wouldn’t stop…he just won’t stop…he going on and on like aunty-man rain – “I sorry bad, but ah gotta say it…I is a ole-time pork-knocka miner-man…I talking from experience – who vex dem-vex, who please dem-please – ting lika dis does be heavy cross…

MORA-CROSS! – pon camp-ground – and dat mean BLOWS! God knows!

And pon topa that, Sweetbeak demonstrating; he lifting up a panty pon d edge of he cutlass, he waving and displaying it for d whole camp to see.

Eh-eh, watch story! Doan tell me somebody didn’t sprinkle guinea pepper….

Anyhow, just then is when Steeldonkey finish weighing her gold and stokesing it away safe in her bosom…is now she ready fuh Sweetbeak. Steeldonkey stand-up sideways with she hands pon her hips and she head hanging pon one-side watching Sweetbeak up and down so. She screw-up she face…she stretch-out her tongue…licking her lips like if she already tasting d busing she preparing to put pon Sweetbeak; now that she good and ready fuh he, Steeldonkey calling out: “Haaaye Sweetbeak, Sweetbeak! “ Steeldonkey calling he, but Sweetbeak playing he not hearing.

“Haaye, haaye, haaaaye SWEETBEAK! is YOU ah talking to, doan play like you ain hearing…is you I talking to, okay?...time come fuh you stop pomping scene…stop showing-off your damn self just cause you got a audience. I want you tell me someting Sweetbeak – no, first…answer me dis – “Sweetbeak, talk d truth – is how come you get that name eh? I sure you did had to deal with ‘oman drawers to get that name? But forget it – doan worry with that – leh we stay pon dis part. A day when you ready?...must ask mih to tell you your own story... I get your files... ah know yuh story; how you was a mora-cross she had to bear since your father deposit you in your mother belly...know what ah mean? When your daddy done get he fun? he just flick he ting and walk away from she and you? Is your own, own story I showing you – yuh-sight, Sweetbeak? ► Continued on page XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

III

Camaldo Smith - The man from Koberimo Hill who fathered a village

By Alva Solomon At 93-years-old, he is said to be the oldest man in the community. In fact, he may be the oldest man in the Mabaruma Sub-Region.

But Camaldo Smith has surely left his name imprinted on the hill-top community of Koberimo Hill.

The community is synonymous with the name Smith.

Almost everyone in that part of the country can tell where someone lived if he or she carries the last name Smith.

“It hard to explain,” Genevieve Smith, Camaldo’s wife posited, smiling.

“It’s a big family, one man cause all the big family; it’s meh husband, right”, Genevieve said, laughing.

“He cause all that because he made children with various

persons before he met me,” she added.

She said her husband is bed- ridden and can only sit up. He cannot walk and talk properly but he hears well and understands what is being said to him.” About a month now he bedridden; first he used to move around but to me is just age.”

Genevieve clambered up her steps to see her husband when this publication visited her home one hot midday recently. Once upstairs, an old but relatively healthy senior citizen sat quietly on his bed. Asked what he needed, Camaldo responded in loud tones, “me ain’t even know what me want right now”.

“He is 19 years older than me,” said Genevieve as she hugged her husband. She said

Genevieve and her granddaughter Petal Barrito

Genevieve and Camaldo Smith she met him when he visited the area several decades ago.

“He come and gyaff with me and then everything happen after,” Genevieve noted. Her husband had many children prior to meeting her but she was determined that only

Even though a road is being built , this port-of-entry was and is the oldest at Kobrimo

death would part them.

Speaking about herself, she said she left school at an early age, and with her late-mother going blind, life changed over the years. She said the family relied heavily on farming and this activity provided much needed income to the family over time.

“Now the old man get old and me ain’t got nobody to help with farming,” she said.

The community is noted for its rich sporting tradition including talented cricketers.

However, during her days, Genevieve said not many persons played cricket or participated in any other sporting activity.

“You use to get on yo

Koberimo is rich in its agriculture potential, as this cocoa variety suggests farm and plant banana, eddoes, yams; but now it different”, she said. “That’s how we lived. We usde to make casareep and cassava bread,” she noted. The family continues to plant cassava and make cassava bread but the circumstances under which she lives has made life challenging for Genevieve.

At the moment, she caters for her husband and the two

granddaughters; both young ladies are studying at the secondary school at Mabaruma.

But as the girls grow old, it is proving difficult to live off of her pension. The death of her son left a dent in the family economically, since according to Genevieve, he was the main breadwinner. She pointed to her granddaughter, Petal ► Continued on page XX

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

A closer look at Jennifer Gibson’s textile art

T

By Dominique Hunter here is a certain element of spontaneity that reveals itself in the meticulously designed batik works by Jennifer Gibson. It sounds a bit absurd having those two words in the same sentence, but everything begins to make sense once you’ve had the opportunity to view her beautiful textile art. Initial feelings of awe only give way to questions

of how. Your eyes anxiously scan across the lengths of fabric in a desperate attempt to understand the process. Your brain begins to imagine countless placement possibilities, which element came first and how everything else followed subsequently. After a few failed attempts, you accept defeat and resign yourself to simply marveling at the intricate beauty found in every square inch. And there is something rather delightful in knowing that no two sections of her ba-

tik works are exactly the same. Each time the work is viewed there is always something new to marvel at, some new detail you would’ve missed previously.

The word “batik” is believed to be an Indonesian-Malay word, used to describe a centuries-old type of resist method in which hot wax is brushed onto fabric to block out a particular design.

Fabric dye is then applied to the exposed areas where the wax functions as a barrier, preventing neighbouring The artist beside her piece titled “Two Faced” colours from bleeding into each other. This process is repeated until the desired aesthetic is achieved, after which the wax is removed through a series of boiling processes.

Fast-forward to 20th century Barbados and a young Jennifer Gibson is stuck in an unfulfilling job that she has often contemplated leaving. As fate would have it, she stumbled upon an opening in a local textile company and decided to go in for an interview.

The very next day an eager Gibson would begin her journey into a medium that would transform both the production of her work and the course of her life in ways she couldn’t begin to fathom.

It was through the handson job training at the Barbados Batik (Export) Limited that Gibson was first intro-

duced to this ancient textile technique. For more than three years she worked studiously, absorbing everything with a sponge-like quality and producing outstanding pieces that reflected her constant growth as a textile artist. Soon enough she outgrew that environment and decided to start her own batik business with two other women. However, internal conflicts among the business partners forced them to dissolve the company.

She continued on her own by participating in various expos and craft shows across the region (Antigua, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Jamaica). But after things got difficult in Barbados, Gibson decided that she needed a break from the environment that grew so familiar to her.

In 1996, through the encouragement of her sister, she booked a flight to

Guyana with the hope that it would inspire a different outlook. “When I came here [Guyana] I felt so motivated. I saw that Guyanese turned everything into a business. I never felt that way in my life. I never wanted to live anywhere outside of Barbados like I did Guyana. I just wanted to be here.”

After her initial visit Gibson was back and forth between Barbados and Guyana for quite a while before eventually deciding to stay in Guyana permanently. Her decision to move was met with resistance and concern from family members who couldn’t understand why she chose to move. But to this she simply remarked, “I know God wanted me ► Continued

on page V

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

This lampshade got a facelift with one of Gibson’s batik fabrics

Jennifer Gibson working on her latest mixed media textile piece

A closer look ... ► From page IV here [in Guyana] and this is not something I’m just saying. This is something I’ve proven. I felt like I needed to be in Guyana to help empower the people, especially the women. I came here with all my plans to start a business and I did just that.”

Gibson described an emotional experience she had one Sunday in church after viewing a PowerPoint presentation by a pastor and his wife about the sanctuary they managed on the Linden Soesdyke Highway. “I just started crying and I heard this voice say, ‘You have to go and help these people.’” While it seemed like a directive from fate once again, Gibson admitted that she delayed acting on those “instructions” until she noticed her business began to suffer. She immediately took this as a cue to start, by volunteering a few days a week at the sanctuary. Over time she graduated from an unpaid volunteer to a paid employee with increased working days. For almost seven years she worked along with the children there, sharing her knowledge of textile art. But now she is gradually being released from her duties there since the current children are much too young to be taught batik techniques.

Like most creative practitioners living and working in Guyana, she has encountered her fair share of challenges during her years of practice. At the top of the list is perhaps Guyana’s lack of copyright laws. Gibson stated that this was a strange and uncomfortable experience for her since there were laws that protected artists in Barbados. Other roadblocks she encountered along the way included sourcing good quality art supplies (paints, dyes, fabrics etc.); finding trustworthy employees who were committed to producing high quality work; finding customers who were willing to pay for her work; constantly being undermined by persons working in the same field as her; and finding a male companion who understood the needs of an independent and creative woman who is passionate about her work.

Despite the many challenges Gibson remains excited about the future, describing 2016 as her year to “birth” the ideas she has been carrying for so long. She is currently in the process of setting up a studio in McDoom. Although the space is just big enough to accommodate her own creative production, she envisions expanding to an even bigger space in order to facilitate workshops where she hopes to impart her skills to as many people as possible. With a bright and hopeful smile she exclaims, “Things are going much better than I anticipated!”

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VI

Critical stage in I facial development

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

t is necessary to understand the critical processes occurring during the development of the face, oral cavity and jaws in the embryo ( growing organism in the womb up to 8 weeks) and the foetus (from 8 weeks to birth) if we are to comprehend certain manifestations of conditions that stem from that development. The most notable conditions are cleft lip and palate which incidentally for some unknown reason are seen mostly in this country in children of East Indian parents.

At approximately Week 4 in the womb, the embryo begins to develop five facial projections, which eventually form the face, oral cavity, palate and jaws.

The frontonasal projection forms the forehead, nose, and philtrum (groove in the upper lip). The maxillary process (2 projections) forms the middle face and upper lip, while the mandibular process (2 projections) forms the mandible (lower jaw) and lower lip.

At Week 5 the frontonasal and maxillary processDr. BERTRAND es begin to form the nose and maxilla (upper jaw).

R. STUART, DDS. However, if the nasal and maxillary processes fail to fuse a cleft lip and palate will result. A cleft lip can be anything from a small notch in the lip (incomplete cleft) to a wide gap that runs up to the nostril (complete cleft lip). One type of cleft palate (submucous) can be hidden. There are two types of cleft lip: unilateral which appears on one side of the lip at the philtrum and bilateral which occurs on both sides of the lip, both sides of the philtrum. By Week 6, the primary palate and nasal septum (which divides the nasal cavity into two) have developed.

The development of the jaws (mandible and maxilla) starts at Week 6 whereby a band of dense fibrous tissue called Meckel’s cartilage forms which provides the structure around which the mandible develops. By Week 7, bone develops, outlining the body of the mandible, as the bone grows backwards two secondary cartilages form; these eventually become the heads and necks of the lower jaw bone. As the bone grows forward, the two sides are separated by a cartilage called the mandibular symphysis. The two sides will finally fuse into one bone approximately 2 years after birth. Upward growth of bone begins along the mandibular arch forming the alveolar process on which the teeth will develop.

By Week 8, ossification ( bone development) of the maxilla begins. Known as the tooth germ, the bud formation begins as a clump of cells in swellings called enamel organs. Each enamel organ is responsible for the development of a tooth. The enamel organ continues to grow and by 12 weeks there is differentiation of the cells into four tissues layers of the tooth recognisable by the fourteenth week.

Many factors can influence the outcome of the health of the oral cavity whose main functions are digestion (production of saliva), biting, chewing, swallowing and speaking.

These include genetics, medications, disease of the mother and bad habits. The baby teeth are 20 and first appear from the age of 6 months and the last being 30 months. Parents and guardians should take their baby for a routine dental checkup to prevent future problems and/or correct those present.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

VII

1968 Bookers compensation case

I

n a w o r k m e n ’s compensation case in 1968 between Ralph Hansraj and Bookers Sugar Estates, Ltd., the Full Court reversed a magistrate’s decision resulting in the Court of Appeal commending the Full Court and holding that the Magistrate’s finding was erroneous.

The facts of the case disclosed that the Hansraj suffered an injury to his foot due to an electric shock during the course of his employment. He was examined and treated by his employers’ doctors, followed by an examination by his own doctor.

The employers’ doctors ultimately certified him fit for work, but his own doctor found that he was suffering from 10 percent permanent partial incapacity from the injury to his foot, and 50 per cent permanent partial incapacity from damage to his brain tissue due to the electric shock. Preferring the evidence of the appellant’s doctor, the magistrate awarded compensation based on the latter’s assessment of disability.

The employers appealed to the Full Court on the grounds that the decision was one which the magistrate, viewing the evidence reasonably, could not properly make.

The Full Court reversed the decision of the magistrate holding that the inference of facts drawn by the magistrate from the evidence before him was erroneous.

The Court of Appeal held that the Full Court could draw its own inferences of fact from the evidence, and since that court had not violated any principles of law in so doing, the Court of Appeal will not interfere, for to do so would amount to the exercise of a jurisdiction which the Court of Appeal does not possess, namely on a question of fact.

Mr. Ashton Chase in association with S. Doobay appeared for the appellant and G.M. Farnum, Q. C., appeared for the respondents.

Delivering the judgment of the court, Justice Luckhoo, J. A. said the appellant, an electrical

Then, for the first time, he consulted Mr. H. C. Hugh a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. That was on April 21, 1966.

This was followed by a claim for compensation based on an alleged 10 per cent permanent partial in-

apprentice, whilst in the employment of the respondents as a rigger running electrical wires at Albion on February 4, 1965, had the misfortune of having his foot come into contact with an exposed wire of 440 voltages. He sustained severe burns to that foot and the necessity for medical treatment became somewhat prolonged because of the resulting disturbance of an ulcer, followed by necrosis of a bone in the ankle.

At first, he was nearly three months at the New Amsterdam Hospital then Dr. Subryan took care of him until January 1966 after which he was sent to St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital for an operation to remove that piece of bone which had become unhealthy.

On his discharge from that hospital on February 6, 1966, he continued to receive treatment until seen again by Dr. Subryan in April, 1966, who discharged him on April 18, 1966, as being fit for work.

But, he did not resume work, because of pains to his left foot, which carried scars from the burns.

capacity from the injury to his foot, and 50 per cent permanent partial capacity from alleged damage to his brain tissue.

The magistrate accepted his claim and awarded compensation in the total sum of

$3, 282.

The employers were dissatisfied with this decision and appealed to the Full Court, which varied the magistrate’s order.

The award relating to incapacity arising from damage to the brain was set aside. The court was now being asked to restore that part of the Magistrate’s decision denied by the Full Court.

The magistrate had before him the evidence of three medical opinions in deciding the question of incapacity: that of Hugh, a witness for the appellant, Mr. George, also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Dr.Subryan, witnesses for the respondents.

That the injury was caused by the accident to the workman’s foot was not an issue, but whether any incapacity existed after April 18, 1966, was disputed. Also whether any injury was ever caused to his brain so as to give rise to any permanent

By George Barclay partial incapacity was also under question.

His Lordship referred to the medical evidence, and continued: “Having examined the evidence as a whole, the magistrate believed and accepted the evidence of the workman and that of Mr. Hugh, and found that there was ‘a preponderance’ in favour of the workman and awarded him compensation.

“The respondents then appealed to the Full Court on the ground “that the decision was one which the magistrate viewing the evidence reasonably could not properly make.”

The Guyana Court of Appeal constituted by Chancellor Stoby, and Justices of Appeal Luckhoo and Persaud added, “This court has no choice in concluding that the Full Court did not violate any principle of Law in reversing in part the decision

of the magistrate.

“What was there done was well within the category of the ground of appeal taken.

“This court can only interfere where a question of law arises, which is well founded.

“To ask for a restoration of the magistrate’s finding without the existence of some legal basis for so doing, is to ask for the exercise of jurisdiction in the area of facts, which this court does not possess.

“This court is only to decide whether the Full Court acted within the ambit of its legal authority.

“The appeal is therefore dismissed and the decision of the Full Court affirmed with costs to the respondents.”

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Dealing with domestic violence

I

Hello Everyone, hope this week has treated you well.

I would like to talk about something that I see clients about almost every daysomething that plagues our country and hurts every one. Domestic Violence is common around the world and is no exception in Guyana.

Domestic violence can happen between/ to anyone. It knows no gen-

der, age, ethnicity nor socio-economic status. The problem in Guyana is that it is very much denied or often overlooked and excused when brought to light.

There are many types of abuse. Some people feel that if they aren’t actually hitting their partner, (physical abuse) they are not being abusive. There is also psychological/ emotional abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse and financial abuse.

These are all as painful as the other.

Physical abuse comprises of physical force, injury or battery towards the partner. Sexual abuse happens if intercourse is unwanted or degrading.

This can happen between married couples as well.

Psychological/ emotional abuse can be done by verbal abuse such as screaming, insulting as well as intimidation and controlling behaviours.

Financial abuse means that money is strictly conâ–ş Continued on page IX

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 ► From page VIII trolled or withheld completely. It can also mean that basic necessities such as food, clothes are withheld as well as preventing a partner from obtaining a job on their own.

All types of abuse will lower your self-esteem and self- worth. It will force the victim to feel helpless and isolated. This can lead to drug use/abuse, depression and even suicide.

These types of abuse are conducted by one or both partners to dominate and control the other. It is important to remember that men are also victims of domestic abuse.

These types of relationships tend to escalate from verbal and emotional abuse to physical.

How do we stop it?

Noticing the signs of whether you (or a friend/family member) are in an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it.

Are you: - Afraid of your partner?

- Always walking on eggshells around them to avoid a blow out?

- Not allowed to have access to phone, car or money?

IX low, you are more than likely in an abusive relationship

- Being constantly checked on?

- Wondering if you are the one who has a problem?

- Feeling sad and alone even when he/she is around?

- Feeling criticized, humiliated or even ignored when he/she is around?

- Embarrassed often around other people?

- Being physically hurt or threatened?

- Constantly having to replace valuables that are being broken?

- Being isolated from your friends/family?

- Feeling like you deserved to be mistreated?

If you answer ‘yes’ to the majority of questions be-

There is a particular cycle/ pattern that occurs in domestic abuse.

This is the abuse, guilt, excuses, “normal behaviour”, and finally set up.

This means there is the abuse itself- which ever kind. The subsequent guilt is not over what’s been done but encompaasses more worry of getting caught, facing consequences or losing the partner. Excuses happen when the abuser tries to justify what he/she has done- abusers rarely ever take responsibility.

“Normal behavior” means the abuser will go back to being kind as he/she was many times before- allowing the victim to feel that change can happen. Set up occurs when the abuse happens again- again with a justification for what the victim ‘has done’.

While taking cycles into consideration, it is important to note that anyone who abuses any substance is more likely to abuse their partner. A partner who is being abused is more likely to abuse their children. Those children are subsequently more likely to grow up and become abusers themselves, especially males. This is a cycle that must be stopped now. ► Continued on page X

X

Dealing with domestic violence Now, how do you spot a friend or family member who is being abused?

◄ From page IX

People who are abused are more often than not: - Afraid of their partner - Have low self-esteem/ self-worth - Become withdrawn - Has physical injuries they cannot explain - Frequently misses events ranging from work/ school to social gatherings - Has to lie to their partner about trivial things - Have limited access to money, car etc - Does everything their partner says to do - Always have to check in with their partner - Always receives phone calls from their partner What can we do?

It is no secret that the law occasionally overlooks domestic violence, especially between married couples.

If you suspect abuse, ALWAYS confront it- express concern. Sometimes, victims blame themselves for their abuse and are ashamed to reach out for help. If they open up, listen don’t judge. Offer help and support. Don’t neglect it. Refer them to places such as Help and Shelter or Al-Anon, as very often the abuse is due to substance abuse. Let them know about the suicide prevention helpline and about the weekly meetings at Woodlands Hospital.

Personally, I would love to see an ‘Abuse tax’ implemented. This would mean that whenever there was a case of domestic violence, there would be a fine for the abuser and that money would go to places such as Help and Shelter, whose primary focus is abused women that seek help.

To all the women who are being abused in the same community. You deserve to feel appreciated, respected and safe. I understand that some women are stuck in these situations as they have no other means of income.

It would be beneficial and helpful to yourself and others to start weekly community group meetings. In these sessions, you can teach each other new things to do both in and out of the home- things that can create independence and possibly a living. Teach each other to read and write, to cook, to sew, computer classes, sports- anything. Education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you. Please remember to keep writing in to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Let me know what you want to talk about!

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 Please remember your following FREE options Woodlands Hospital (Outpatient Department): Drug and Alcohol Group Meetings: Mondays- 4:30- 5:30pm Good Mental Health meetings Wednesdays- 4:30- 5:30ppm Contact: 623-0433 Al- Anon Meetings: Brickam Presbytery Thursdays- 5:15- 6:15pm Contact: 233-5844/600-0832 Help and Shelter Address for headquarters: Homestretch Avenue, Durban Park Contact: 225-4731, 227-8353 Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896.

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Like Somebody Sprinkle ... ► From page II

“But no…you doan know…right? You poor ting. I just feel sorry for you. You doan even know you is yuh own MORA-CROSS right? But I know, and ah telling yuh straight... cause I overstand that d reason you living pon my bones ev-ry day, ev-ry day? is cause your mother was saying that you is a cross since she first discover you tek up residence in she belly and she know she ain got nothing to look forward to from your father to help her mine you. And she just won’t stop cussing your daddy…D FIRST MORA-CROSS....You doan even understand right? You don’t know what d hell I talking bout right?.

“You doan even remember you did hearing your mother cussing your daddy since when you been in she belly; but Sweetbeak? trust me, you did hearing what your mother saying bout your daddy while you was still in her belly. You mustbe doan even know is so you turn a psycho; but tek it from me – any sensible woman who ever breed will tell you that she chile does start hearing and understanding from right there in her belly. God only know why we women doan use we power and start-talk to we unborn children while they ain got no choice but to listen and hear....is only so we could make sure we doan bring boy-chile like you in d world – dem who hate women. When we cuss we unborn pickney daddy? if d baby is a boy-chile? he does think is he we talking bout.

“Anyway Sweetbeak…you listen good, hear this – You hate me cause you hate your mother, cause when you come out her belly it didn’t stop – she cussing your father, ah mean – it didn’t stop. Was a word and a blow, not so, Sweetbeak?

So you blame her fuh that. But she is your mother and you was a baby; is she who got to mine you …put food in your mouth…wash yuh diaper and clean your mess; you couldn’t take it out pon her. IsTHAT is why me and my drawers ketching hell from you now, Sweetbeak, is only cause I name woman – it ain got nothing to do with pork-knocker blows.”

Steel-donkey make to turn away…then she tun back sudden – “And what about yuh wife Sweetbeak, you got a wife, right Sweetbeak? I sure you does give she hell for all you did get fuh yuh father from your mother. One a these days you must come ask me…ah will show yuh son. Doan be ashame.

I will show you just how you happen”.

Son? You hear that? Steeldonkey calling Sweetbeak “son”?...is that big-big man that young-young girl calling “son”; then she just turn she back and walk away....if you see how she swinging her hips and rolling she bum-bum in Sweetbeak face.

Steeldonkey is one a them women who could roll d bumbalum with ease and full expression when they vex and they want to give you a piece a they mind – sometimes they doan even have to say a word. These women could finish you off by just turning round and walking away and is rudeness fuh-so in your face. You could be boss-man or boss-woman, husband, lover, father or mother....talking about full-body women with nuff behind like that Buxton-gal in this old story.

She is d one the village choose to represent them in a beauty contest in d city, Georgetown. They couldn’t wait for her to come back with news about d contest. Buxton-gal had a simple answer for all d nuff-nuff questions d villagers asking; she say – “With the face, I didn’t place. But with the bubby and ass? – I tear they rass!”

Sweetbeak vex baaad, cause d men in d camp now whooping and hollering loud-loud. And all poor Sweetbeak manage to say when Steeldonkey done with he, is – “Woman!”

But Steeldonkey ain vlumps pon he no more. She didn’t even look round. She just turn her back and flounce away.

D fire flying and sounding like a gun, cause Putagee shoving more and more of d congo-pump firewood in d cumbus fireside and complaining that how is not he turn to cook, but is only cause he worms throwing cuffam he decide to take over d work. Is so putagee cooking and he cussing and d fire sparks in d cumbus going crack- crack-crack and flying; is nuff nuff confusion and sensational itation....like somebody sprinkle guinea pepper pon d camp ground; then – Eh-eh! Listen, hear – is another tekups starting up over there....

To Be Continued.

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XII

Cultural Industries - Breaking Ground

“From an economic point of view, the nation is emerging as an information-and-entertainment super power. Our market is the only one large enough to justify building the next Microsoft Windows software, or the next Terminator 2, Jurassic Park. That gives us as an exporter, a huge edge.” - Gerald Levin, of Time Warner Inc. (Vanity Fair October, 1994) Of course, we in Guyana are here witnessing it but a century away from initiating the mind set to recognise the potential that lies before us and the platforms needed to be constructed to carve out the tiny niche for ourselves in the brutal global market place of the entertainment business, transcending cultural and language barriers.

On March 11, Minister Nicolette Henry of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport conducted a meeting with some members of the arts community to explore the prospects of support that the Ministry could offer towards the activation of Cultural Industries. This discourse was to the advantage of the practitioners who were there and there was a suggestion to form the outline of the foundation of this engagement.

The session commenced on the essential tool of Cultural Industries that lie within the strength of laws of copyright and licence and understanding contracts and the means to ensure that these Laws can be applied internationally so that collaborations with better equipped entities can be encouraged with

our negotiated rights protected.

For example, a small budget full length movie with a topic that can catch a wide enough audience externally whether on TV or Cinema is beyond us, especially if special effects and stunt scenes are required. But if we can establish links of collaboration for a home grown effort marketed well to an active equipped entity, a spark can light us into a door.

A clothing monarch of our time once said that “it’s better to be the smallest part of an elephant than to be the largest part of a beetle.” On that note in the discussion, a colleague complained that everybody should get a chance to talk, that it should proceed in the form of a good Guyanese line. The idea of the engagement was overshadowed as other interests nonetheless unimportant, took precedence. At one point a young Rastafarian whom I know well stood up and lamented that we had descended into something that he could no longer follow or understand.

Cultural Industries is very much like Guyana; it does not only constitute the coastlands, there are rivers to traverse, mountains to climb, and the knowledge to know the difference between sweet and bitter cassava. That Friday engagement taught me much about what needs to be taught at workshops and special seminars. With the ► Continued on page XIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 ► From page XII understanding that the structure of cultural industries has two definite composites (local and export), let’s take a local reference. It is customary and legal almost everywhere in the Caribbean that radio stations play 40% local music and that advertising jingles be developed locally or permission be obtained for external music use. The fact is that the music selected that constitutes the 40% is still a choice for the local radio station, and royalties don’t amount to much. Its CD sales, foreign cover licensing and local advertising licensing that brings in some cash. Marketing agents will evolve to work for you and take a percentage, based on the contract you agree to, and let’s not to forget lawyers. But the local “free fuh all” has to be addressed. I’ve worked in the business of promotion. The business of promotion is to contract the most popular artiste, instrumental Band, juke box or stereo set. It’s profit or loss. If you’re in any Industry you have to know its history, how it works and that talent alone does not secure success. No! Guyanese are not foreign minded, they demand standards and celebrate great local talent, I can remember having to force Major Joby and Troy C off the stage before a hysterical Guyanese crowd so the feature Jamaican artiste can come on.

A young person once told me that Guyana would have had a professional recording studio if Burnham hadn’t stopped Eddie Grant. I was astonished because I had dealt with this in articles several times over the years. I repeat what I’ve said before, because I was there when Eddie refuted that bit of anti-Burnham propaganda. Eddie had explained to us that Burnham had advised him to go to Barbados because Guyana could not provide his studio with unbroken electricity at that time. I then advised him to read as much as possible on the subject of his career as we parted ways.

Creative Industries will happen in Guyana because we have the talent, and the interest of the current government.

We’ve had a long “black out” of the recognition of home grown independent talent. However, all players have to be involved. On this same note, I must state that most of our overseas talent contributed here before bread & butter forced them abroad.

Numerous trained musicians, song writers, I.T. pros and others will have to participate, because drama also needs music. We just have to sensibly claim the space to create.

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By Subraj Singh

Oscar Wilde’s Salome

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Oscar Wilde (1882 by Napoleon Sarony)

alome is a one-act play that was written in 1891 by Oscar Wilde. The play is an expansion of the Biblical tale in the New Testament, where Salome, stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, dances so well at a banquet that Herod promises to give her anything she desires. Salome, prompted by her mother, requests the head of John the Baptist (Iokanaan in the play), a request to which Herod unwillingly concedes. Wilde’s version alters some characters slightly, presenting Herod as much more lustful and Salome as a doomed figure who tries to gain some amount of power as a woman in a patriarchal world. Despite these slight alterations to the characters, the plot of the play remains mostly the same as the story found in the Bible. What makes the play truly fantastic is Wilde’s presentation of his various motifs and themes, particularly through his extensive use of symbolism.

The moon, for example, is one of Wilde’s most blatant uses of symbolism in the play. The moon represents Salome herself and the playwright establishes this not only through Salome’s self-identification with the moon by proclaiming the moon, like her, to be a virgin, but also in the way the moon changes towards the end of the play and Herod proclaims it to be “red as blood” – a symbolic change of colour that represents the bloodshed to come and the shift in Salome’s character (remember the moon is a symbol of her) from a beautiful, virginal princess to a woman who is lusting for the death of Iokanaan.

Also of interest is Wilde’s use of the motif of “looking” throughout the play. One of the uses of this motif is to achieve the feminist goals of the text. Salome, as a young woman of extreme beauty living in ancient times, is subject to the male, patriarchal gaze. Therefore, when Salome complains, in the beginning of the play, asking, “Why does the Tetrarch [Herod] look at me all the while with his mole’s eyes shaking under his eyelids? It is strange that the husband of my mother looks at me like that,” we immediately become aware of Salome’s precarious (and unfortunate) position as a woman in that society and as a woman in Herod’s household.

Many men in the play look at Salome and comment on her looks. Throughout the play, there are also characters who warn others not to look at her. This may have been Wilde’s way of addressing the sexist gaze that women are often exposed to. Indeed, at the end of the play when Salome has successfully had Iokanaan killed, Herod becomes fearful and all too wary of the fact that it is his sexualizing of Salome through his constant looking at her that may have caused the girl to demand the death of the prophet, a man of god, whom Herod feared, thereby ensuring that she exacts a sort of vengeance against Herod. Herod’s proclamations after Iokanaan’s death – “I will not look at things… Put out the torches! Hide the moon! Hide the stars!” – reflects his desire to be in darkness and longer see, and shows that he is aware of how his constant “looking” at his stepdaughter has led to death in the palace.

Wilde’s use of such literary techniques ensures that the play remains as strong when read as it is when performed.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Get stylish for

Phagwah

When we think of Phagwah we picture beautiful bright colours, celebration and yes FASHION. This festival was brought down from India in 1838 by Indian Indentured Immigrants and celebrates the triumph of good over evil and ushers in the spring season. Hindus traditionally wear white on Phagwah day and indulge in the throwing of abeer, powder, and water. The festival is celebrated by Hindus and non-Hindus in what is an amusing, good-natured and joyful celebration.

Holi has come a long way from the traditional white; people are becoming more fashion and style conscious. So if you choose white add some colour to the outfit. Stay away from heavy fabric since it gets clingy and takes longer to dry.

Light fabric is perfect for Holi as it keeps you from feeling stuffy in the heat.

Wear colourful flats, avoid heels and leather as you want to be as comfortable as possible.

Happy Phagwah to all Guyana, I Hope these pieces inspire you to celebrate.

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My top pre and post workout meals

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Before: Whole Wheat Toast with Sliced Banana and Cinnamon When it comes to gearing up for workout, carbs are your gym BFF. The key is to have a mixed bag of complex and simple ones so that the release of energy during your workout is slow and steady throughout your routine. Whole-wheat toast with fruit gives you both types of carbs with the bonus of being super easy to digest. Complex carbs will keep your motor humming, while the fruit adds an extra kick of energy.

For those training for a race, bananas are perfect in raising potassium levels, which drop when you sweat a lot. For an added bonus, add a dash of cinnamon. The spice has been linked to stabilizing blood sugar and improving brain function.

After: Grilled Chicken and Mixed Vegetables Your body is in recovery mode, so you need a nutrient dense dish. The lean protein and carbohydrates in chicken will fill you up without feeling overly bloated. Add some veggies in olive oil to keep your ticker in tip top shape.

Before: Greek Yogurt and Trail Mix Getting ready for a long run? Eat some yogurt first. It's easy on your stomach and when paired with trail mix can give you the little rev your body needs. Just make sure to choose a mix that is mostly nut and dried fruit based with as little fillers as possible. (Yes, sadly I’m talking about those little chocolates!) The healthy sugars from dried fruit provide that quick energy boost while seeds and nuts will keep insulin levels from dropping mid-workout. Just remember, a little bit goes a long way. Seeds and nuts are high in fat, which means they take longer to digest. Too many and you could start feeling sluggish and slow as you sweat.

After: Veggie Omelet with Avocado You already know eggs are a great source of protein and help aid in muscle recovery and growth. Switch it up from the usual scramble and make a veggie-packed omelet. Garnish with a few slices of avocado for fiber and monosaturated fats (the good kind!). Similar to olive oil, avocados can help your body better absorb fat soluble nutrients that your veggies have like vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins are stocked with antioxidants, the best boost for your body, inside and out. â–ş Continued on page XIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 â–ş From page XII

Before: Smoothies Need a snack on-the-go on your way to the gym? Stick with a smoothie. Not only are they time-friendly, building your own blend has a bunch of exercise benefits. For a foolproof formula, use your favorite sliced fruit, a cup of Greek yogurt and some granola for a thicker consistency. If you're picking one up, check the label to make sure it's made from whey or milk-based proteins. And no need to go overboard — 10 to 20 grams of protein before exercising is plenty.

After: Salmon with Sweet Potato Aside from the usual protein perks, salmon has bioactive peptides, small protein molecules that play a role in inflammation reduction, helping to regulate insulin levels and give you joint support. Sweet potatoes pack in those complex carbs as well as help to restore glycogen levels, which get depleted after a workout.

Before: Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit Oatmeal is the workout buddy you never have to nag to exercise. It sticks with you throughout your workout by gradually releasing sugar into your bloodstream. Adding fruit to your bowl will help increase the fluid content of your pre-workout snack, keeping you hydrated.

After: Whole Wheat Tuna Fish, Hummus and Spinach Sandwich If you're a lunchtime exerciser, this is the sandwich for you. Tuna is low in calories, but high in protein and carbs. Hummus is a better-for-you spread over mayo or mustard, while also being high in fiber. And last but certainly not least, spinach is a produce powerhouse, handling everything from curbing your appetite to boosting your complexion and lowering blood pressure and inflammation.

Fuel Up and Recover Right These delicious foods will fuel your workout and help you recover faster.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Camaldo Smith ► From page III who sat nearby with a slight smile on her face. “This one is the baby and my baby because me take care of her,” she said as she hugged the young lady.

Genevieve said she moved to Koberimo since she was 13 years old. She said she was born on the Aruka River, several miles away from her current home. Her parents moved to the area to pursue their farming activities.

“Really when I moved here it only had seven houses and few people,” she said. “I had nothing; I didn’t even have the thinking that we would have a school ballfield and so”, she said with a broad smile.

At the moment there are 32 houses in the community, she noted. She said her mother knew a few persons who the family met when they relocated to Koberimo and at the time they settled initially at the back of the hilly community.

The community was given its name from the Koberimo Creek which runs inroad from the nearby Kumaka Stretch. According to Genevieve, the name came from the Warrau language; “Kobo” means “Carrion crow” but she was unsure what the other aspect of the name signifies.

The community was lacking a few basic needs but as time progressed, persons made representations to the authorities to change this scenario and a school building was placed in the community as the nearby Hosororo Hill Primary school was annexed to Koberimo Hill. The community currently receives water from a pipe located near the community center ground.

Walking around the community, the name Smith continued to appear, even the shopkeeper’s name, her neighbor and a man on the other side of the village south of Genevieve’s home carry the name. “For me, he left a mark and that will go on forever because people recognize how he contributed to the village”, Genevieve remarked.

As she spoke to this publication, Petal, her granddaughter sat beside her. “Take a picture with me,” Genevieve requested. And as she prepared to pose for the camera with Petal beside her, a voice was heard in commanding tones. “Bring a cigarette and some water.” It was Camaldo.

Residents gathered around the only well in the community which was producing water at the time of our visit

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Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

A Conversation on energy in Guyana

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By Gavin Bovell he consciousness about energy in mainstream society appears understated with scarce conversations, perhaps the most neglected area of implementation lies in the promotion of public awareness on energy matters involving our livelihood. Discussions must be forged, facilitated, organized and deliberately structured for “top down” as well as “bottom up” exchanges. Language and literature must be sensitive to the targets to avoid exclusion and disinterest. Even as the country forges ahead with plans for a Green Economy, its success would substantially be improved by the rapid advancement in clean energy development and energy efficiency practices.

IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY Energy is important. It’s a commodity we cannot afford to go without since we all rely on it daily to enrich our lives, increase productivity, make us safer and improve our health. According to Peter Voser (Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell, Netherlands) “energy is the oxygen of the economy and the life-blood of growth”. In the context of Guyana and our daily life and existence, I find that energy is equivalent to the blood that runs through our veins.

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS According to Guyana Energy Agency Strategic Plan Document 2014 – 2018, Guyana, in 2012, imported 4.9 million barrels at a cost of one hundred and twenty billion Guyana dollars (USD $600 million), a 13.42% increase when compared to 2011. This represents an average of twenty four percent (24%) of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The gravity of these numbers are self-explanatory and must be recognized in terms of its scale and significance.

All things being equal, we can expect this upward trend to continue as in the case of most developing countries.

Combustion of fossil based energy fuels are widely linked to environmental degradation – global warming and pollution. It is certain that we are experiencing unusual weather patterns, floods, droughts, temperature changes, rising sea levels, all of which are consistent with the explanation of the “greenhouse gas” effect.

Accepting the scientific consensus that climate change is occurring, it is imperative that the pace of our mitigation and adaptation measures be hasten in order to curb the mounting environmental cost.

ENERGY SECURITY AND SUPPLY With the passing of time our thirst for energy has become evident. Guaranteeing our energy security should no longer be treated as merely an option but must be at the forefront of our national priorities. Historically, the protection of energy resources and supply has always been contentious, vicious and costly, lest we forget the “Linden

Martyrs” or even the aggressive objection by our neighbors, Suriname and Venezuela to the presence of exploratory hardware in Guyana’s waters. These events, all have the aroma of energy at its core.

Ironically, it was from Venezuela that we once depended on for our energy supply through the Petro Caribe energy deal. Being careful not to criticize this initiative, it must however force us to expedite our transition from fossil fuel based energy dependence to indigenous sources of energy

as a guarantee of energy security.

BASELINE AND OPPORTUNITY To get a better perspective of our national energy habits (reported), we examine the major energy use statistics against total imports for the same period 2012; ► Contiuned on page XXII

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A Conversation on energy ... ► From page XXI

electricity generation - 33%; transportation – 38% and all other – 29%.

It is without prejudice that reference must be made to the recent media reports which suggest that at least 50% of Guyana’s total fuel imports goes unaccounted.

By any stretch of the imagination this is a significant amount and by the least of any concerns may misrepresent the stated energy use position. Because of the little energy efficiency practices and low renewable energy uptake, the baseline figures are inherently representative of significant opportunities for energy savings and wider economic, environmental and social benefits nationwide.

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES AND BARRIERS Guyana possesses abundant supplies of renewable energy resources. The availability of wind, hydro, solar and biomass (inclusive of wood waste) provide excellent sources of indigenous energy that can be harnessed for domestic use. However, we must appreciate that the process of harnessing these renewable resources can be extremely challenging, coupled with a wide range of barriers that hinders a progressive uptake.

These barriers are broad based and include issues such as financing, technology transfer, technical skillsets, data management, policy and legal frameworks. Removing or reducing these barriers can be complex and will require a deliberate and strategic institutional structure championed by laser focused management.

TOWARDS A RESOLVE The resolution of these issues will require a common approach, a singular platform to coordinate activities and facilitate “buy in” from all stakeholders. The state agency must take the lead role, facilitating the compilation of extensive baseline reports and assessments; establish meaningful targets and determine and execute strategies to transform intentions into actions.

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is theoretically and practically placed to be transformational in this regard. It must urgently reposition to adopt the lead role in promoting and stimulating greater utilization of renewable energy sources and the uptake of energy efficient applications at all levels by targeting electricity generation and transmission and transportation sectors. The next article will examine some relationships between energy and a green economy.

Gavin Bovell is a consultant in the areas of Energy, Environment, Green Development, Urban Transport and Land Use Planning. Gavin interned at the Energy Department of the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) and worked as an Energy Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank. Bovell has written several papers on energy in Guyana and has consulted on several energy and environmental projects, including waste to energy, analyzed utility scale energy proposals and contributed to writings for policy considerations. His strengths include policy development, strategic planning, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, project management, and business management and development. Comments can be sent to: towardsagoodlife@gmail.com

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‘Helping someone is the most beautiful thing you can do’ - Says CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine SHE comes across as a no-nonsense individual who is unyielding, and at first glance, to many, she is intimidating.

You may think to be on your Ps and Qs if you want to get into a conversation with her. In fact, she doesn’t ramble on if asked a question but chooses to get to the point on every subject.

But Ms. Helen Ann Browman, interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown, can be quite different when she is off the job.

“Some would say I am extremely serious; some would say I can be intimidating because of my height and serious face,” she said in a recent interview with Sunday Pepperpot.

“For those who know

Harcourt Edward Browman and Bernice Angela Browman.

She spent her nursery and primary school years at the New Comenius school in Queenstown.

The school no longer exists, having been destroyed by fire. She spent a brief period at the North Georgetown and Richard Ishmael Schools before pressing on to St. Joseph High School.

After school, she first gained employment at Hand in Hand Insurance Company, but eventually leave to pursue studies at the University of Guyana (UG).

“My father sat me down and said you either study or work. But if you are going to study, I will support you, which he did, and I went to UG for four years. I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Management.

“My parents always encouraged me to do my best

“Be positive no matter what.

There are challenges, [but] you can overcome them. I do believe that life is short and you have to make the most of it. Working at the hospital really brings this home.” me really well, [they] know that I can be a little crazy, in a good way, enjoying life and always very positive about life.

“But when it comes to work, I am very serious about work. When it comes to play, I enjoy it.

I believe in a mixture of both. But work is work.”

Ms. Browman, 44, was born at the Davis Memorial Hospital and raised in Georgetown by caring and supportive parents

and to always be professional; to always do what is right. Integrity and honour are the two things they left with us (children).”

Henceforth, she worked for some ten years at Courts Guyana Inc. and in 2008, moved over to St. Joseph Hospital as the CEO. “I joined the Company as CEO in 2008; but I later stepped down in fairness to my studies. And after the CEO left last year, I

Helen Ann Browman

was asked to come back as CEO,” she informed. She recently completed her Masters in Management at the University of the West Indies.

At the hospital, a typical day for Ms. Browman is unpredictable. “There are always calls; always something happening at the hospital. I can get a call that something is happening with the ► Contiuned

on page XXIV

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‘Helping someone is the most ... ► From page XXII elevator, something has happened with the water, something with a patient or with a staff.

“When I come in, [there is] always something happening. To get most of my work done, I would stay back sometimes in the afternoons when it’s quiet.

“So it’s either I come in extra early when it’s quiet, or afterwards, to get done the work I planned. I also make sure there is competent staff to take care of people.”

Ms. Browman definitely believes that she is at that point in her career where she would have liked to be.

“I mean, how many persons can say they are CEO of a company? I never dreamed that I would be here as the CEO. I think I have reached all the things I can reach in terms of career wise for now. But I am open to another career somewhere. They say you must have three careers. So I’ve heard. So I guess I still have one more to go.”

A JOB THAT HELPS Ms. Browman can list the number of occupations she dreamed of as a child. These include becoming a police officer, an airhostess, and a doctor.

“Those were the key things.

“I remember my father saying to me one night when we were sitting down and I said I wanted to be either a police officer or a soldier.

“My father was in the Army; he was an aeronautical engineer attached to the Guyana Defence Force and then Guyana Airways Corporation, GuySuCo and then Roraima Airways.

“He said ‘no, that’s not for you; something else.’

“I wanted to be a doctor but somehow I am working at the hospital, so I came to it in another direction I would say.”

Ms. Browman deeply believes in helping people.

Asked where she sees herself in about five years from now, she responded: “If not in this job, in a job that helps people. And I think that’s the big attraction here, that of helping somebody. I’m not sure whether I will be here or abroad, but definitely in a job that helps people. Helping people is the most beautiful thing you can do.”

She observed that there is always someone who is in need of help and so believes in doing anything she can to make their life easier, even if it is in a small way.

“Even in the simple way of giving someone a cup of water or food, or being a listening ear; it really makes a difference in someone else’s life. And I have found that out,” she expressed.

Ms. Browman, who described herself as a simple person, said she is always trying to do her best, to do good, and to make the right decisions for herself and other people. She often thinks about her Mom, whom she lost in death two years ago, but who continues to provide inspiration to her.

“Be positive no matter what. There are challenges, [but] you can overcome them. I do believe that life is short and you have to make the most of it. Working at the hospital really brings this home.”

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No fancy equipment

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By Ariana Gordon HE women of the Region 9 village of Nappi and its satellite communities of Parishara and Hiowa are more than determined to make the best of the natural resources available to them.

“Determination is the key to success,” Erlene McDonald told the Guyana Chronicle as she looked proudly at her produce, and demonstrated how the final results are achieved.

McDonald is the chairman of the Parishara Organic Food Processors Association (POFPA), and is responsible for the managing of the peanut processing facility in that community.

“You must be excited to see fancy equipment here, but this is what we have,” she said, as she displayed the manual grinder used to crush the peanuts after being parched and shelled by women of the village.

“It is a lot of hard work,” McDonald added while noting that the end result is significant to the communities. “We are proud of our accomplishments; this means a lot to us,” she said.

The woman explained that the peanut processing facility

was only rehabilitated in January through a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST).

She said prior to the rehabilitation of the premises it was difficult to process the peanuts. “But now we have a better building and we have well working equipment,” Mc Donald said smiling.

Currently, the group of women not only process peanuts and makes peanut butter but also make cassava bread and cassava biscuits. Addition-

ally, the women make salted and sweetened peanuts. All of the products produced are mostly made upon order, she explained.

When Guyana Chronicle visited Parishara, Mc Donald and team had just completed an order for someone in Lethem.

Cassava bread is sold for $300 per bag which contains four pieces while the salted and sweetened nuts are sold at $100 per packet. An eight ounce jar of peanut butter is sold at $400 while the sixteen ounce jar is sold at $600.

The prices the proud Chairman said are “quite affordable.”

She explained that in the case of the peanut butter, it is her desire to be able to produce a better label for the product.

She said while the label in and

of itself isn’t bad, “there is need for improvement.”

“It is what we have so we have to work with it for now. We are doing well you know…this is a product of our hard work and determination.”

McDonald told the Guy-

ana Chronicle of the process to prepare the peanuts. She said there is a roaster located in a separate building not far away ► Contiuned

on page XXV

Roaster: Erlene Mc Donald, Chairman of the Parishara Organic Food Processors Association showcases the equipment used to roast peanuts

Turner: Erlene Mc Donald, demonstrates how the “turner” is used after the peanuts have been roasted

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Team Hosoror

- the little football club wit

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By Alva Solomon hey train three times a week after school hours. The team is made up of a group of teenage

boys, with one of them being as young as 11-yearsold. Their aim: to unite and develop football in this part of the country which has produced some of the better national footballers to represent Guyana. Meet

team Hosororo United.

The names Christopher Valenzuela, Jonathan Peters, Elton Brown, Ronel Hernandez and Errol Solomon have been written in the history books of football in Guyana for a number of years.

Those footballers all have something in common - they started their game at the Hosororo Hill community centre ground, commonly known as the “ballfield.”

It is this rich history of

football which has influenced the lives of many young men from this part of the country. Team coach Delano Valenzuela and manager Gilbert Solomon mobilized the young team of talented players to train and compete among themselves and with the seniors as they prepare to take on the more established clubs in the region and in the capital city. The coach and manager both grew up playing football in Mabaruma and have also featured in matches around the region and in the city.

The team is made up of players not only from Hosororo Hill but communities nearby including Barabina Hill, Mabaruma Settlement, Bumbury Hill and the Kumaka Stretch. The youngest member of the team is 11-years old while the eldest is 16- years old.

The days of training are Mondays, Wednesday and Friday, the coach noted during a recent interview as the team’s training session progressed one afternoon.

He said the young men play football for their schools; some have represented their school in the Digicel school championships.

But competition is sharp at the regional level, and Hosororo United is unbeaten in local competitions across the Mabaruma sub-Region. Currently, the team is preparing for their first tour out of Mabaruma. They are headed to the Moruca sub-region where they are expected to engage in a few games against teams from that part of Region One. Later, they plan to travel to the capital to engage in competitions with teams there.

Valenzuela said that the team began under the guidance of manager Gilbert Solomon, a businessman in the area, two years ago after it was noticed that there was an absence in players being

groomed to represent the region.

“The long term goal is see these guys representing top clubs as the seniors and also play for Guyana in future.”

Solomon played for the Thomas United team while Christopher Valenzuela represented the Camptown football club in Campbellville in Georgetown. Peters also played for Camptown while Brown, who started at Camptown , enjoyed a fruitful career at Alpha United , Guyana’s number one football club. He scored many a goal for that club and was considered one of the more prolific players in the game.

“Now we have these guys, some who come from outside the community; we are the best thing now in terms of youths in the game and being organized”, the Coach asserted. He said the resources for the team such as gears, are purchased by the players, while the club would receive donations from past players including Solomon and former national player Christopher Barnwell and Hernandez. The manager also set-up an account and their needs are budgeted with the small sum.

Some of the players toured the region and the country in the Digicel competition but the team’s first trip as a united club is expected to commence in the weeks ahead with the tour of Moruca.

The cost for such trips is as expensive as $240,000 and this includes hiring of a vessel to transport the team to and from the destination, as well a food and beverages.

Valenzuela said the Digicel competition has made a positive impact on the game in the communities’ there.” It is a good experience because I was one of the coaches along with a few others and they

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ro United

th big dreams did well,” he said. He said last year during that competition, a team from Port Kaituma stood out and the Hosororo team is working to take over that position.

“We are grooming them to do well, and to engage well after here because last year we had two persons who left for training in the United States,” he said. The two lads, Romario Welcome and Ralph Parris, who were invited by Hernandez and other former national players to train in the

US, received good reviews from the clubs in the US. Both players, having returned after their stint are doing well in the city. Romario dons the colours of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and Parris plays for a top school team.

The coach said that there is much talent in the region which has not been exploited.

To this end, he said the government should focus on assisting the teams through the

schools and organize competitions for them to compete and be motivated. He said former national players are displaying an interest in assisting the team and while the technical team can do its best, he noted that there is need for coaching clinics and workshops and refereeing.

As regards the football umbrella body, Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the coach noted that he cannot recall anyone from

the GFF travelling to that area to discuss or engage anyone in the game. He said scouting for talent and presenting ideas to the teams in the region can boost the game in the region. The manager, Gilbert, noted too that there were plans through the regional sports officer to engage the GFF but such plans never materialized.

But the team is being assisted by an unlikely body.

According to Valenzuela, the

Team members going through their paces under the watchful eyes of manager Gilbert Solomon (left) and Delano Valenzuela (right)

Members of the Hosororo United Football club

Team Coach Delano Valenzuela and Manager Gilbert Solomon strike a pose Guyana Police Force, through the Mabaruma Police station, has adopted the club and according to the management, the police plans to invest in developing the talent of the youths in the team. He said the Police have signaled its intention to assist with basic expenses such as transportation. In addition, the lawmen also pledged to provide institutional support, and to assist in developing the skills of the team members through scholarships.

Valenzuela noted that there is also another factor which is influencing the development of the game with immediate impact. “Up here in the region almost everybody has cable so these guys would see the who –is -who of football daily, be it Chelsea, Barcelona , Arsenal and the teams in La Liga,” he noted. In fact the players already adopted their own call names. “We have a Ballotelli , a Cafu ,

there is a Ronaldo and one calls himself Neymar,” the coach noted.

When this publication caught-up with the team recently, the players were going through their paces under the watchful eyes of the Coach and Manager. Both superiors noted that discipline plays a critical role in the team’s development with much emphasis being placed on the player’s attending school regularly and being focused on their examinations.

The team is planning to tour the capital city in August this year but according to the management, they are in need of a few basic essentials. These include football shoes, uniforms and vests. The team plans to develop a Facebook page and according to the Coach, persons or organisations who are desirous of assisting the club can correspond via the social media platform.

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from where the packaging of the products is done. “We do the roasting of nuts in here in the roaster.

“We usually have to turn the roaster for one hour…after the one hour we take it out and throw it into a sheller. We keep shelling and with the breeze it is blown out, then you pick the nuts. When we are finished we go inside to the grinder; it is manual.”

She explained that with the restart of the processing facility in January, the group of women has been focused on peanut processing and cassava bread. However, she explained that “most of the women are interested in sewing.”

As a result of the interest shown in that area, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally and a team of representatives of IAST visited and renovated the facility to

also accommodate those who have a desire to be seamstresses.

She explained that Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence has committed to assisting the group with sewing machines, materials and additional items needed for them to carry out their tasks.

“So we are actually divided into two, sewing and peanut processing.”

During a five-day visit to the North Rupununi, repre-

Peanut Butter: the All Natural peanut butter produced by the women of the Parishara Organic Food Processors Association

sentatives of IAST conducted product development training, technical assistance and rehabilitation works to the peanut butter factory as part of a collaborative effort with

the government to enable indigenous communities to develop and market their products thereby ensuring they have a sustainable income.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 The partnership formed between the government and IAST is aimed at developing the appropriate technology to be used by indigenous communities to develop natural resources that can benefit the entire country.

The Parishara Organic Food Processor’s peanut processing facility was

used in the past to produce peanut butter for the North Rupununi’s school feeding programme. However, the Association currently provides peanut butter to the Arapaima, Yupukari and Parishari Nursery schools.

Parishara is an Indigenous Makushi village located in the Rupununi, Region 9.

The Parishara Organic Food Processors building located at Parishara, Rupununi, Region 9

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

WHO suspends TB drugs from big India supplier on quality fears The World Health Organization has suspended the approval of tuberculosis drugs made by India's Svizera Labs, a major supplier to developing countries, following an investigation into standards.

The United Nations agency, which acts as a drug watchdog in markets lacking robust local regulation, said on Friday it had suspended all TB products made at Svizera's Mumbai site because manufacturing standards and quality management were unreliable.

It also said independent experts should retest batches of medicine already on the market and it might be necessary to recall supplies, depending on the outcome of those tests.

The move is a fresh blow for India's pharmaceuticals industry, which supplies cheap generic medicines to countries worldwide but has been tarnished by a series of quality problems in recent years, denting confidence in its products.

The WHO had previously issued a warning letter to Mumbai-based Svizera Labs, part of Maneesh Pharmaceuticals,

A patient suffering from Tuberculosis rests inside a hospital in Agartala, March 24, 2009. (Reuters photo) in September 2015, after finding dirty surfaces, black mould in a cleaning area, low hygiene standards and inadequate record-keeping.

The latest "notice of suspension" letter was posted on the WHO's website 15 days after being sent to the company. It highlighted several complaints about the quality of certain drug batches.

Boudewijn Ploos van Amstel, managing director of Svizera Europe, said the company disagreed with the assessment, adding that the WHO had ignored information from the company showing that Svizera's operations were up to standard.

"The letter of suspension is very misleading," he told Reuters by telephone from the Netherlands.

The WHO plays a critical role in monitoring drug quality in poorer countries through its Prequalification of Medicines Program, which ensures that treatments supplied by U.N. agencies such as UNICEF are of acceptable quality.

The program is also used by governments to guide the bulk purchase of medicines.

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Exiled Tibetans to elect leader to sustain Dalai Lama legacy (Reuters) Tens of thousands of exiled Tibetans across India and overseas will vote on Sunday to elect a political leader, hoping the democratic exercise will help sustain their struggle to secure complete autonomy for Chinese-ruled Tibet.

The second election of its kind follows a decision by the Dalai Lama, the 80-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate, to relinquish his political authority and vest it in a democratic system that could outlive him.

Concern about the globetrotting spiritual leader's health, after his admission to a U.S. hospital this year for treatment, has reinforced the importance of the vote to keeping the issue of Tibet alive.

The "Sikyong", or elected leader, will be solely responsible for political and diplomatic decisions, as the charismatic monk steps back from the limelight amid uncertainty over how his successor will be chosen.

Tibetan Buddhism holds that the soul of a senior lama is reincarnated in the body of a child after he dies. China says it must sign off on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising.

"Even if China tries to select the next Dalai Lama, the Tibetans will continue to have an elected leader who is outside the Communist Party's grip," said P.D. Mukherji, professor of Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

The elected leader will have to rally global support

A young Tibetan monk holds a portrait of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during celebrations marking his 80th birthday anniversary in the hill town of Dharamsala, India, in this July 6, 2015 file photo for Tibet's campaign for freedom, strengthen ties with India and discourage self-immolation by refugees when protesting against Beijing's ironclad control of the Himalayan region.

This month, a Tibetan schoolboy died in India after setting himself on fire to protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Sangay and his opponent, Penpa Tsering, both favor the "middle way" propagated by the Dalai Lama for more than 50 years that advocates non-violence while seeking autonomy for Tibet.

Asked to comment on the leadership election, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing did not recognize the "so-called government in exile".

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Fried cow's brains?

- Italy's historic cities push local cuisine, produce (Reuters) Fried cow's brains might not be to everyone's taste, but more people may sample the Florentine specialty now that Italy's art capital has ordered food outlets in the city center to sell mostly local produce.

Florence is the latest Italian tourist destination to adopt the mantra "you are what you eat", and is requiring shops and restaurants to make sure that 70 percent of their food comes from the surrounding region.

Italian chef Cristina Palanti poses with a meat cleaver and cooking fork hovering over a plastic pig figurine at the "L'e'Maiala" restaurant in Florence in this October 6, 2012 file photo. (REUTERS/ Alessandro Bianchi/files) "We are seeing an unstoppable distortion in our cultural heritage, of which food is a part," Mayor Dario Nardella wrote on his Facebook page.

"A restaurant opens every week in Florence, not to mention minimarkets and Asiamarkets," he said, apparently referring to food and drink shops often run by immigrants and open all hours.

Promoting a short supply chain and seasonal eating has been fashionable in Italy for years, promoted by the Slow Food movement and upmarket food hall chain Eataly. But now local governments are turning up the heat.

Last month for example, Verona Mayor Flavio Tosi said he would not allow new kebab shops to open in the historic center of the city where William Shakespeare set "Romeo and Juliet".

These measures have prompted a mixed reaction among Italy's legion of gastronomic pundits and business people, some noting that local products could also be of low quality while others said the move would help defend local biodiversity.

Nardella's drive in Florence appeared even simpler, though: to offer good local food and less junk to the city's crowds of visitors.

"Where once there were artisans' workshops, historic cafes, cinemas and old taverns, now fast food, pizzerias and low-grade restaurants have opened, ready to snare the first unsuspecting tourist," he said.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

Former child star Shirley Temple's rare blue diamond ring to be auctioned (Reuters) A rare blue diamond ring belonging to the late Shirley Temple, one of Hollywood's most famous child actors, is going up for auction starting at $25 million, auctioneer Sotheby's said Thursday.

The 9.54-carat Fancy Deep Blue diamond ring was purchased by Temple's father for $7,210 in 1940 around the time of the actress' 12th birthday, Sotheby's said.

The ring will be auctioned on April 19 as part of Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels sale, and is estimated to be valued between $25 million and $35 million.

Temple won legions of fans as a bouncy, curly-haired young star in 1930s movies such as "Bright Eyes", "Heidi" and "Curly Top." The child actress went on to forge a second career as ambassador Shirley Temple Black and died at the age of 85 in 2014.

Her family previously auctioned off a selection of Temple's costumes, scripts and a dress she wore at the 1935 Oscars.

A model displays Fancy Deep Blue diamond ring, once owned by child star Shirley Temple, at Sotheby's in New York March 18, 2016. (REUTERS/ Brendan McDermid)

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Calls for Skull Point to be preserved Story and photos by Alva Solomon “There is definitely a need for preservation here,” says secondary school teacher Andrew Campbell, speaking of Skull Point, an archaeological site on the outskirts of Barabina Hill in the North West District.

Located outside the administrative capital of Mabaruma , Barabina Hill, like most communities in this part of Guyana is accessible mainly by road. Hence, Skull Point, which is located about a mile outside the centre of the community, is only accessible by foot. It consists of several shell mounds, lined with what appeared to be human bones. Also, several pieces of broken pottery, presumably used by the Warrau tribe, who were affiliated with the site, lay nearby.

Campbell, who majored in archeology during his studies at the University of Guyana, is familiar with many such sites across the country, and he favours Skull Point as uniquely positioned among some of the oldest on the continent. In fact, he supports the works of famous Guyanese archaeologist, the late Denis Williams, who undertook work at Skull Point.

“It needs to be fenced and labeled”, Campbell said of the location. He took this publication on an afternoon walk to the site from the public road passing near Mabaruma which led to Barabina Hill. The journey took close to an hour and a half of downhill and uphill features, and according to Campbell, it is ideal to walk and capture the scenery than to be driven into the area.

The journey continued for an hour into Barabina Hill and while descending out of the community, a small narrow path emerged in the bushy outskirts of the community. Campbell said that he first visited Skull Point some five years ago when he moved to Region One to teach at the North West Secondary School. He said that a farmer led him to the site, and to date, he has made dozens of visits to the area. He said he recently cleared the vegetative growth around the site.

“Here you have one of the oldest archaeological sites in Guyana, which was known since the 1980s and I haven't seen any plan to make it a heritage site since then,” he said recently on a social media platform. Many others , including persons who migrated from the area , supported his view. He said Williams was influenced heavily by the likes of Betty Meggers, an American archaeologist best known for her work conducted in association with her husband, Cliff Evans, in South America . “Evans’ theory states that the Amazon could not sustain large settlements due to the infertility of the soil.

Based on recent findings, that theory has been disproved”, Campbell noted.

Soon, the walk stretched along the hilly community, the path grew narrow, and several cassava farms, with crops prepared and some maturing, can be seen. In the distance, several neighbouring communities were in sight, including the business community of Kumaka and the farming community of Koberimo Hill.

The narrow path led to a steep slope, measuring some 40 to 50 feet in depth and at this point care was taken in ► Continued on page XXXV

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Secondary school teacher , Andrew Campbell stands in a cassava patch near Skull Point recently. He said the soils in the area are considered rich by farmers there A steep slope at the edge of Skull Point leads to a savannah feature which stretches out to the Mabaruma Creek. Further north takes one to the Waini Coastline off the Atlantic Ocean

Calls for Skull ... ► From page XXXIV

walking along the trail which led to Skull Point.

Skull Point lay at the side of the hill, at its very edge, and large excavated holes, called “trenches” could be seen. These included a 2- 5 feet narrow ledges which separated the trenches. Bushes stood tall over the trenches and care was taken in walking around the trenches to avoid falling in.

The climax of the afternoon walk lay around. Dozens of shells could be seen, and the elder folks in the region noted that their Warrau ancestors were known to have collected the shells and later ate the contents for lunch or dinner and even breakfast. The shells bore unique designs, some were small and a few large shells were nearby. Interest grew as small rocks, neatly carved into different shapes, were picked up by Campbell. He said the carved stones represented tools used by the tribe to carry out their daily activities.

Campbell pointed to a few objects which he said were human bones, as well as skull features. ”That’s how some persons said the place got its name from the many skull features”, he added.

A few steps further around the site , which measures approximately 30 feet by 30 feet , produced evidence of pottery , presumably used by the tribe for cooking or fetching purposes. There were at least three trenches where Williams carried out his work. Campbell walked ► Continued on page XXXVIII

Pieces of bones and skull fragments which were gathered at the location during the visit recently

Water and Jobs

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hen we think of water, we often think of its main uses. What often comes to mind, are its use to quench thirst, maintain hygiene, provide food, use in industries, support recreation etc. We seldom think of the huge role that water plays in terms of economics. Yet, without water, certain jobs would not be possible. While water impacts directly on some jobs e.g., fishermen, farmers, plumbers, cooks, etc., it is a fact that persons

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016

in any line of work require a safe water supply.

A washroom in the workplace is often taken for granted, yet without water, it cannot not function, and without this facility, workers would be uncomfortable and not be productive at their jobs.

To emphasise the important role that water plays in jobs, the United Nations will celebrate, World Water Day, 2016, under the theme ‘Water and Jobs’. World Water Day is an annual celebration, on March 22, to raise awareness about a challenge facing global water resources. This

year’s theme leads us to appreciate not only the fact that water is integral in supporting jobs, but also highlights the importance of the workers who ensure that the water keeps flowing.

Earth’s 7.4 billion people need clean water to support their lives. However, only 1% of Earth’s

freshwater is available for the entire world to use. Further, the world’s water resources are not evenly distributed. In some parts of the world, people (mainly females) have to walk miles just to get a bucket of water, which is usually not 100% clean. Recognising the struggle for many of the world’s population in getting access to clean, potable water, a lot of effort has been put into improving water and sanitation around the globe. Much of this effort is spearheaded by the United Nations, but over the years, individuals have realised that the onus is on them as well. As such, people around the world are increasingly taking matters into their own hands to ensure a safe water supply in their area. As we celebrate World Water Day 2016, the EPA encourages you to think of putting in place innovative measures that will aid in safeguarding water in whatever job you do. You never know how far-reaching your impact can be in helping to achieve access ► Continued on page XXXVII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 20, 2016 ► From page XXXVI

to water and sanitation.

Here are some activities you can think about: •

Make your voice heard on social media;

• Think about what water means to you and make an artwork; • Organise a debate in your school, university, community, office or organisation; •

Organise a concert or a play.

• Lobby your organisation to put in place a system that conserves water use.

•

Practice water-saving habits.

• Report instances where you observe that the quality of water is compromised by leaks and breaks in the pipelines.

For stories and experiences on ‘Water and Jobs’ visit http://www.unwater.org/ worldwaterday/ideas/en/.

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9.

Also check out our Facebook page, Environmental Protection Agency-Guyana.

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Calls for Skull ... ► From page XXXV further north to the end of the hill where a long trail led to its lowest depth. He said the site maybe as old as 7000 years, as referenced in the published works of Williams.

He said the question some may ask is how the shells arrived at that location, with suggestions that they were washed up by the waters from the Waini. This may suggest that the savannah area at the bottom of the hill was once covered with water. The Waini Coast near the Atlantic Ocean is located north-east of Skull Point.

Persons in the area posited that the Warraus ferried the shells to the hill top and after conserving their containments, discarded same at Skull Point. On resident said the area may be a burial site since Williams was said to have removed skeletal parts from the location when he worked there in the 1980s.

“There's a need for continuous data collection since the method applied by most archaeologists in the early period was rudimentary”, Campbell proposed.

The afternoon trek away from Skull Point presented many questions about the location, its historical significance and whether it will be preserved. “Whatever the case maybe, I hope it is preserved,” Campbell said.

Excavated holes called “trenches” which were made by the late Guyanese archeologist Denis Williams at Skull Point

Shells , which were presumably left behind by the Warrau ancestors, at Skull Point

Pieces of implements , including tools used by the tribe and pottery parts discovered at Skull Point during a recent visit

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Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut want closure on feud?

After their spat made headlines, both Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut today said there is a need for a closure to the matter which has turned ugly.

(Indian Express) After their spat made headlines, both Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan Friday said there is a need for a closure to the matter which has turned “ugly”.

“It has all gone ugly.

Their (from Hrithik’s side) statement is subdued… he (Hrithik) is deviating from the matter. We are waiting for their next move. But

we want the matter to end soon,” Kangana’s lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee told Press Trust of India.

Hrithik and his lawyer Dipesh Mehta seemed to have extended an olive branch.

“We would just request the police to speed up the matter (with regard to fake email account in Hrithik’s name). We hope

it will end soon,” Mehta told PTI. Both Hrithik and Kangana are out of Mumbai and are busy with their work commitments.

The “Queen” actress is busy shooting in Arunachal Pradesh for “Rangoon” that stars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in the lead.

The “Krrish 3” star is also busy shooting for an ad film

abroad.

“Kangana has not done anything wrong. She is a strong girl. She is cut off from all this as she is busy with work. She is getting stressed out and wants to move on,” a source said.

Wednesday evening, the 42-year-old actor finally decided to break his silence on the matter. He insists that email address (hroshan@ email.com) said to be his did not belong to him. Without naming Kangana, he

said he has no connection with her.

While Kangana Ranaut’s lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee retaliated, terming Hrithik’s statement “an effort to get public sympathy”.

Wrestler Hulk Hogan wins $115 million in sex tape suit (Reuters) A Florida jury awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million on Friday after finding the Gawker website violated his privacy by publishing a sex tape of the celebrity wrestler.

Hogan sought $100 million in damages over the edited video that Gawker posted online in 2012. The case weighed a celebrity's right to privacy in the Internet age against freedom of the press as protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Lawyers for Hulk Hogan had the jury to hit the website Gawker with tens of millions of dollars in damages for posting a sex tape featuring the former professional wrestler.

Attorney Kenneth Turkel told a six-member jury that Gawker's editors did not have the "common decency" to call Hogan for comment before uploading the video.

"What's disturbing about Gawker isn't what they do in a vacuum," Turkel said at the close of a two-week civil trial in state court in St. Petersburg. "It's how proud they are of it."

But Michael Sullivan, a lawyer for the gossip and news website, said the First Amendment protects the media's ability to publish legitimate news stories, even when the content is objectionable.

"If they can make a claim like this, the Internet as we know it will cease to exist," Sullivan said.

The case essentially hinges on whether jurors believe the sex tape was newsworthy, and requires them to weigh a celebrity's right to privacy in the digital age against the freedom of the press.

Hogan, 62, testified during the trial that the video's release in 2012 caused him lasting humiliation. The longtime star of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc and reality television veteran sued for $100 million in damages.

The video showed Hogan having sex with the wife of his then-best friend, radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, said he did not know the encounter was caught on camera about a decade ago inside Bubba's home.

Gawker obtained the tape and created an edited version less than two minutes long that

Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, sits in court during his trial against Gawker Media, in St Petersburg, Florida March 17, 2016. (REUTERS/Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/Pool via Reuters) contained only nine seconds of explicit sexual activity. The editor involved said the post was intended as a commentary on celebrity sex tapes.

Sullivan argued that Hogan made his sex life newsworthy by repeatedly discussing it in public, often in graphic detail. He said other sites had already written about the tape, though none posted any video.

But Hogan sought to distinguish his real-life persona from the bombastic wrestling character he said he portrayed with "artistic liberty." His public behavior, he said, should not rob him of the privacy he expected while in the bedroom of a friend's house.

Gawker said it did not make money directly off the post, which ran without advertisements. Experts for Hogan said the company netted substantial gains from the traffic it generated.

'Maze Runner' star Dylan O'Brien injured on set, production shut down (Reuters) "Maze Runner" star Dylan O'Brien was injured on the set of the latest movie in the young adult franchise, and production on the film has been shut down while he recovers, movie studio 20th Century Fox said on Friday.

O'Brien, 24, was taken to a hospital in Vancouver, Canada for observation and treatment, Fox said in a statement.

Hollywood trade publication Variety and celebrity website TMZ said O'Brien was hit by a car and suffered multiple injuries on the Vancouver set of the upcoming "Maze Runner: The Death Cure."

Fox declined to comment on the severity of O'Brien's injuries or how they occurred.

"Production on the film will be shut down while he recovers. Our thoughts go out to Dylan for a full and speedy recovery," Fox said in its statement.

TMZ said O'Brien, who plays Thomas in the franchise, suffered multiple broken bones in the accident.

"Maze Runner: The Death Cure" is scheduled for release in February 2017 and is the third film in the successful movie franchise set in a dystopian world based on James Dashner's young adult novels.

The first two movies, released in 2014 and 2015, made about $660 million at the global box office and established O'Brien as one of the hottest young movie stars.

O'Brien first found fame on YouTube some 10 years ago through posting his original videos. He later starred in the MTV series "Teen Wolf."

The original "Maze Runner" book was inspired by William Golding's influential 1954 novel "Lord of the Flies" about a group of young boys left to fend for themselves on an uninhabited island.

Cast member Dylan O'Brien poses at a press line for ''The Maze Runner'' during the 2014 Comic-Con International Convention in San Diego, California July 25, 2014. (Reuters photo)