Pepperpot 04 17 2016

Jump Start girl â–ş CENTRE

Nuriyyih Gerrard takes on pageantry

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

BEFORE THE ROAD TO BRAZIL ...

THE TRAIL TO RUPUNUNI ––– NOW THE PHILIP MOORE ARTISTS’ RETREAT AT YUKURIBA HEIGHTS

WHO said you can’t go home again – if like me, you think of Yukuriba Falls as home you can. If your thoughts of home were kept alive for decades with your cherished memories suffused in an incense as heady as hiawa light burning through a rainforest night before The Road To Brazil or even The Trail To Rupununi – then to now – you will, you must, you do go home again.

Hiawa is a perfumed sap oozing from the trunk of the hiawa tree; in its dried form , forest dwellers use hiawa for light at night; also sometimes used as incense in the Roman Catholic Cathedral.

I went home again to Yukuriba Heights last week, to vision (in situ)

exactly what the design of the Yukuriba Creative Farming Community’s Organic Farm and Philip Moore Artists’ Retreat would look like....couldn’t help reflecting all along the way of my bumpy ride, on that verity – “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”

Save for a few settlements along the Mabura Road, and the well-appointed Peter & Ruth travellers’ rest stop at #58, nothing’s changed much on the way to Yukuriba; although the road’s a lot less treacherous than it was three decades ago when Terry Fletcher and ► Continued on page III

Home again on Yukuriba Falls, in low water season ...and thus, the genesis of another pontoon crossing at Kurupukari

...sitting, reflecting beside a table rock where I worked on my novel ‘Clarise Cumber-Batch Want To Go Home’; Ticknor & Fields U.S.A., Women’s Press, U.K.

The pontoon on the hill looking down on the Essequibo before launching

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

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THE TRAIL TO ... ► From page II

his team of Trail to Rupununi pioneers forged Southward after meeting endless challenges associated with repairing all the bridges and opening the trail between Mabura and Kurupukari.

After that, according to Terry Fletcher’s account, their next major challenge was how to cross the Essequibo River at that location. The shortest distance across the river was 600 meters or about three eighths of a mile, with a small island in between.

On the other side, the Southern Bank of the Essequibo, an old abandoned pontoon (no doubt left over from the days of the Kurupukari Cattle Trail), sat on a low slope above the river, the pioneers decided to repair it, mobilize it, and set up a primitive pontoon ferry across the river.... genesis of the current pontoon crossing at Kurupukari.

They planned methodically; GUYSUCO loaned a tractor with a winch and an operator. They bought eight hundred meters of steel cable to mobilize the pontoon. When the tractor arrived at Kurupukari, the team attached the steel cable to the winch, and, using a korial, paddled across the river with the other end of the steel cable which was connected to the repaired pontoon.

Thus with the help of the 800 meters (half a mile) of cable, and the tractor’s power, they were able to winch the repaired pontoon down the incline into the River. They now had a working pontoon that could ferry men, vehicles and equipment across the six hundred meter wide Essequibo River.

“A beauty too, of twisted trees...”

This vast expense of rocks creating the Yukuriba Falls rapids in highwater season, is open for exploration in the dry season; it’s all part of the Yukuriba Artists Community and Organic Farm, a proposed sanctuary for creative minds with an artists’ retreat named in memory of the late, great, Guyanese artist: The Philip Moore Artists’ Retreat

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Women Artists remember Edna Cadogan

By Dominique Hunter

EDNA Gwendoline Cadogan was born November 26, 1925. Her early years of education were spent at the St. Angela’s Ursuline Convent. Following the completion of her education there, she went on to further her studies at the Government Training College of British Guiana where she came under the training of art veteran Edward Rupert Burrowes; the Institute of Education of the University of London (1957) where she pursued a one-year Associate Degree programme in Education with an emphasis on Art; and finally the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico (1968) where she received her Masters in Education.

During her years of service in Guyana, Cadogan worked as both educator and administrator. While employed at the Government Training College, she held several offices, gradually as-

was renamed the Cyril Potter College of Education. She also held the post of Assistant Registrar at the University of Guyana.

EDNA CADOGAN

CHARCOAL SKETCH cending to the upper most level of the institution. She was lecturer; senior lecturer in charge of the Art department; Deputy Principal and finally Principal, after the institution moved from their Battery Road, Kingston location and

In 2003, Cadogan was presented an award for her 75 years of active service in the field of Education. In 2010, the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA) recognized her stellar contributions to the group with a Long Service Award, in the form of a wooden sculpture carved by local artist Winslow Craig.

While she was perhaps most recognized for her years of dedication to teaching, Cadogan shared the same passion for her art practice. In fact, she has contributed to a number of exhibitions hosted by the Guiana Art Group, the Guyana Women Artists’ Association and has held exhibitions at the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico between the years 1964 and 1965.

In an exhibition form signed and dated July 12, 1987 under the section “Any additional information” a few hand written sentences from the artist herself read: “Have subjugated my art for the teaching of art to young teachers. ► Continued on page V

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

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Women Artists remember Edna ... ► From page IV

Have not done any work since University because of administrative duties.

Usually do quite a lot of pencil sketches but nothing to exhibition standards.

Have done quite a lot of craft work but more recently only in crochet, needlework and knitting.”

The note sheds some light on the inner conflict she might have felt by having two equally demanding yet satisfying passions. In spite of those challenges, she continued to make and exhibit her work whenever the opportunity presented itself. In addition to her pencil sketches and needlework pieces, she has also produced several oil and watercolour paintings, graphic works, printmaking pieces and a few textile designs during the course of her artistic career.

Those who knew her all described her devotion to teaching art to students who were in the process of training to become teachers. So devoted, that she

often referred to those she taught as her children.

Close friend and colleague of hers, Lucille Cadogan (also a founding GWAA member), described several instances of mistaken identity over the years, although there was no relation between the two women. Reminiscing on the times they would have spent together in years past she remarked, “Nevertheless, our time together will never be forgotten. We shared fond moments in the annals of history. As her colleague in education, she dedicated her service at all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary) to maintain a standard that was favorably recognized, both nationally and internationally. We will truly miss her and our condolences are extended to her relatives locally and overseas.”

Recently elected president of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association, Aiesha Scotland, also had the following to say about the passing of Ms. Edna Cadogan, “The saying goes, if you give someone a fish they eat for a day, but if you teach

STILL LIFE, 1964

them how to fish they eat for a lifetime. As an educator these words describes the impact Ms. Edna had on whomever she came into contact with. She was a remarkable teacher in every sense of the word. She has changed many lives by giving of herself: her time, talent and treasure. Words cannot explain how much she meant to the women of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association. Her mere presence was a source of strength and encouragement for each member. It was so remarkable to see how much she persevered as an artist and educator, knowing how difficult it can be to balancing both. She shared her life experiences and knowledge of the arts with

us. Society will forever be indebted to her.

She was a woman of purpose and lived to fulfill that purpose. Ms. Edna will forever live on in the lives of many, we will miss her dearly.”

Edna Gwendoline Cadogan passed away on Monday March 28. She was interred on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the St. James the Less Church ground after a brief service at the St. George's Catheral, Georgetown, Guyana.

Dominique Hunter is an independent visual artist who recently graduated from the Barbados Community College with a Bachelor of Fine Art (First Class Honours).

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Random acts of kindness HELLO Everyone, I hope this week has been kind to you all. Today, I would like to speak about the importance of random acts of kindness. A friend/ co worker of mine told me a story where she helped a strange woman who was visibly stressed on the street. Apparently she had misplaced all her money while in town and didn’t know what to do. My friend stayed,

helped her retrace her steps and when the money could not be found, put her in a cab home. Not many people take the time to help others that way. So this week, I dedicate this article to my friend Leslyn Holder.

I wondered if I would have done the same, and truthfully the answer is no.

I’m usually very focused on what I’m currently doing so I’m not even sure I

would have noticed someone in distress on a busy street in town. Secondly, a lot of us have the tendency to ignore others as it’s “none of our business” or we are afraid the person would lash out and end up embarrassing us. I myself am guilty of this and this is the wrong way to be. It is so important to do these little random acts of kindness. It is important for both our and other’s good mental health.

What is a random act of kindness? It is a selfless act, no matter how small, by a person or group with an intent to do a good deed or cheer a person up.

Can’t figure out what to do? Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness.

1. Compliment people- even strangers. If you notice someone has a nice smile or eyes etc., be sure to tell them. If it’s someone you know like a co-worker and you like something as simple as their shoes- tell them. This takes no time and costs nothing.

2. Listen to people when they seem to have a problem they would like to share- don’t interrupt!

3. Donate to a charity. Now this does not have to be a monetary donation – give old clothes, make cookies- anything.

4. Not in a position to donate any goods? Donate services- donate your time. Read to children or elderly, play games with them or educate them.

5. Recycle or clean up trash when you see it, especially if it’s in front of people’s home or business.

6. We live in a social media age. If you come across something uplifting or funny online, share it so others can enjoy it as well.

7. It is important to also share a good book you have read.

8. If you receive good customer service somewhere (which, let’s be honest, is rare in Guyana), tell a manager or the owner so that person is rewarded and it can continue.

9. Learn the names of everyone you come into contact with every day- no matter their position to yours. Everyone is important, so always say hello.

10. If you can, buy food for the next homeless person you see.

11. If you are around people that are gossiping or saying something bad about someone, be the person to add in something positive. After all, everyone has some good qualities- even if we don’t like them.

12. Lastly and just as important, be kind to yourself. Write a list of three things that you like about yourself every day. This will make you feel happier,

confident and grateful.

What can being kind to others do for you?

I’ve done some research on this and found that people who are kind hearted produce on average 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) than those who are not.

Therefore, being kind - Lowers stress - Lowers blood pressure - Allows for slower aging - Increases energy - Boasts happiness - Inspires more kindness as kindness is contagious Being kind has these effects on both you and the person receiving the kindness.

Overall, kindness makes us happier.

When we do something kind for someone, we feel good. This is especially if it’s openly appreciated. That warm feeling we get is the hormone oxytocin being produced. I spoke of this “love hormone” on Valentine’s Day. Kindness makes for better relationships – this is obvious. We are all attracted to people who show us kindness- this is human nature. It reduces emotional distance between individuals where new relationships are forged or old ones are strengthened.

Kindness makes people smile, and have we ever thought about the importance of a smile? If we are lucky, we do it hundreds of times a day but have we really thought what it does for us? Smiling and laughing has positive effects on our wellbeing.

When we smile or laugh, there are also a number of physiological changes that occur in our body. Endorphins are released based on the way our muscles move and position during smiling. There is a theory known as the “Facial Feedback Hypothesis” which suggests that even if we fake smile, the brain interrupts the muscles as sincere and makes us more happy regardless. Try it now to feel happier and less stressed!

Research also shows that people who smile and are more relaxed in job/school interviews come off as more approachable, appealing, confident and capable which results in a higher probability of being hired or accepted.

Please keep writing in at caitlinvieira@gmail.com to tell me what you would like to talk about or drop into see me at Woodlands hospital on Wednesday’s from 4:30- 5:30 at the Outpatient Department.

Enjoy your day everyone!

Say yes to life and no to drugs!

Always!

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Medications that affect oral health MOST people do not quite appreciate the importance of the close relationship between oral health and general health.

Classically, the natural aging process puts older adults at greater risk for oral health problems because they experience declining physical and/or mental status, exposure to medications for age-related systemic conditions, and reluctance to seek routine dental care. In fact, because of this reality, in some developed countries there are dental clinics that only attend to persons who are sixty-five years and older.

Studies have shown that people over 65 years of age account for at least one-third of all prescription drug use. Elderly patients seeking dental treatment are presenting medical histories that are increasingly more complex.

Medications are a concern for the elderly because they can not only alter the body’s defense mechanisms, but also the body’s physiologic, immunologic, and biochemical status.

When elderly patients present themselves for dental treatment they are likely to be on multiple drug regimens, so the health professional will need to avoid complex drug regimens because they are costly, patient compliance decreased at this age, and the chance for adverse drug reactions and interactions is greatly increased in this population.

It is mandatory for dentists to have a comprehensive medical history before treatment or medications are prescribed. Elderly patients should furnish a list of all medications they are taking and their dosage to dentists before treatment is started. Many dentists will want to contact the patient’s primary physician and any other involved professionals before treatment is started, so bring this information with you on your first visit to the dentist’s office.

Medications taken by patients are responsible for dry mouth and other salivary gland problems; abnormal bleeding when brushing or flossing; gingival overgrowth; inflamed or ulcerated tissues; micro flora imbalance; mouth burning, numbness, or tingling; movement disorders; soft tissue alteration, and taste alteration.

Many of the medications commonly prescribed to elderly patients have both systemic effects and product adverse reactions in the oral cavity. If an antibiotic is necessary, by all means take it as directed. However, if diarrhea, especially bloody stools, occurs, call your dentist immediately. Elderly patients do not absorb antibiotics are readily as younger

patients. Colon problems are not limited to elderly patients, but they are more frequent in that population. Many anti-inflammatory drugs cause gastric irritation, and may product ulcers.

The drug most commonly prescribed to the elderly are for treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this group, diuretics used to manage hypertension and drugs from the nitrate group used to treat anginal symptoms can cause dry mouth. Many antihistamines also contribute to dry mouth and eyes. Coumadin, a drug used to treat stroke victims, is an anticoagulant that can cause bleeding problems when dental treatment is performed. Invasive treatment should not be done without close monitoring of bleeding times. Spontaneous bleeding in the mouth indicates over dosage.

Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline, can be inactivated when taken with antacids.

Since many elderly patients take multiple medications and over-the-counter (OTC) items, they need to list on their health history all items (prescribed or OTC) before they see the dentist for treatment.

Aspirin is commonly taken for arthritic conditions. Some doses are near toxic levels.

A reaction could be precipitated if the dentist were to prescribe one of the many common aspirin-containing medications to a patient who was already taking large doses of aspirin. It is generally recommended that aspirin intake be stopped one week prior to invasive dental treatment.

Codeine-containing analgesics are commonly prescribed for oral pain. A major side-effect is constipation. Patients should discuss this problem with their dentist and/ or pharmacist before having any prescription filled.

Your dentist should know about heart disease, heart valve damage, joint replacements, and bypass operations before he starts your treatment. Some of these conditions might require antibiotic coverage as suggested by the American Heart Association, before treatment is started.

In general, the half-life of most drugs is increased in the elderly population. The diminished microsomal enzyme activity in the liver makes the metabolism of drugs slower, and excretion is prolonged because of renal clearance. This results in an increased duration of drug action in the elderly, making the chances of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions higher in this population in comparison with younger people.

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Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

By Subraj Singh

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights B

ECAUSE I consider this column to be more about recommending books to the Guyanese reading (and non-reading) populace than actually analyzing literature, it is often very important for me to highlight books that are both entertaining and important but, for one reason or the other, is not really known by the average Guyanese reader.

As an example, in recent times there seems to have been a re-emergence of those cheap and badly-written romance novels – the ones with a buxom white girl swooning in the arms of some gallant, muscular man on the cover. Lately, I’m always coming across girls and women who are reading these books and the first thing that comes into my head when I see this is the thought that they should be reading Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights instead.

Wuthering Heights is the only novel by Emily Bronte and was published in 1847.

It is, first and foremost, a love story, a romance, filled with all the ingredients that can only make a love story worth reading: a wealthy girl and a poor boy, forbidden love, revenge, death, etc. While that may sound like the recipe for a clichéd love story, Bronte ensures that this doesn’t happen and the resulting novel is one of the most powerful, most beautiful, most haunting love stories ever published in the history of writing.

Catherine Earnshaw is a wealthy girl living in the moors of Southern England.

Her father adopts a dark “gypsy” boy named Heathcliff and brings him to live in their household. As Catherine and Heathcliff grow up together, they grow closer and eventually fall in love. However, due to his status as an outsider and the fact that he belongs to a lower class, Catherine eventually marries another man. This is the fuel for the inferno of emotions – rage, hate, love, sorrow – that sweep across the rest of the novel. Bronte’s prose is rich in imagery and she has the remarkable ability to convey much in a single phrase or sentence. For example, when Catherine says, “If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger”

the reader is immediately made aware, from that small group of words, of the total sum of Catherine’s love for Heathcliff.

However, if that quote makes you think that the novel is some sappy love story, then you are entirely mistaken. Bronte’s version of love does not have the typical kind of happy ending, with Catherine and

(Simon and Schuster, 2014) Heathcliff riding off into the sunset. Her presentation of love is more realistic than idealistic. It is raw and unflinching – the kind of love that borders on madness, the kind of love that upends the upright image of Victorian characters and turns them into savages. Bronte’s idea of love is as wild and untamed as the characters in the book. In this way, it differs from and becomes more important than the flat, empty romance novels young people read these days.

Furthermore, Wuthering Heights, while remaining a love story at its core, is also a novel rich with commentary on Victorian society, social class, and gender. It is indeed a thousand times better, and more valuable, than any contemporary romance.

It is definitely a must read for anyone who claims to love love-stories.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

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Choosing the right concealers and foundations for your skin tone FOUNDATIONS are the basis for your makeup look. I've often been asked if I only do eye makeup, and my thought always is: "Can't you see the foundations?"

Of course, I realise later that why they asked!

People actually believe my clients come to me with perfectly contoured blemish free skin - it's usually the same people who believe that celebrities are born Cover Photo

"Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic" --Rosalind Russell. ready.

First things first - skin has to be properly prepped for the foundation. It's best to keep a good skincare routine daily. I can't stop repeating how important it is to consistently clean and moisturise. Skincare neglect causes more damage than product overuse.

When purchasing a foundation, make sure you read the label thoroughly. There may be foundations that are anti-aging with added skincare benefits. Foundations or base, as some call it, are actually a part of your skincare routine. It's more of a dermatological product like your anti-wrinkle creams than a cosmetic and beauty product like your Eye Shadows and Lipsticks.

If you have the privilege of meeting with a professional consultant, ask them about the best type of foundation for your skin. Finding the perfect color depends on your lifestyle, ethnic background, and geographical environment.

Avoid just picking up a product looking at it and assuming it's your shade. Test the foundations on your face or wherever you'd like to apply it.

Before concluding that you're allergic to a product or the entire brand, consider this - only rashes, severe redness, swelling, irritations, itching, and burning are signs of an allergic reaction. Breakouts such as pimples, heats, oiliness, discoloration and coughs are NOT signs of allergies. They might actually result from a lack of skincare, genetics and hormones, or misuse of products.

The foundation colour that tends to disappear and blend with the skin's surface is the correct colour.

Even though undertones play a key role in choosing the right shade, testing the product on the neck or jawline of the face is the best way to secure your shade.

The same methods apply to choosing concealer, except, concealers should be brighter in appearance but never lighter in shade.

When choosing a concealer, make sure to always look for one that counters your undertone and corrects it. Look for concealers with colour correcting properties for they will not only cover blemishes and

dark marks but also blend into skin and disguise all problem areas.

The skin should appear baby soft and smooth, without any redness, purplish dark spots, or paleness - just the way it

was when you were a child, before the woes of the world and the struggles of puberty and adulthood consume you. Take back your face...rejuvenate life back into your face.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Federal Supreme Court disagrees with jury’s rape verdict '61' Alleged rapist freed ALLEGED rapist Adams who was convicted in 1961 successfully appealed to the Federal Supreme Court, in its Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction.

This happened after the convicted man, who had originally been charged with larceny from the person on a report from a girl, had that charge substituted for rape when attempting to convince the police that he was not a robber but a discarded lover.

At the Ruimveldt Police Station, he submitted to the cops his story, which was to the effect that he and the girl were chums.

Adams said they had gone to a dark spot at the back of Alexander Village, where they had a rollicking time, in a sex escapade based on promises that he made to her.

But he claimed that after he reneged on his promises, the girl became unfriendly and reported the matter to a cop whom they had met on the road, claiming that she was robbed.

The girl denied that the two engaged in any sexual activity But when the accused attempted to prove his case by disclosing that he could name the colour of the underwear she was wearing at the time, the girl then claimed that the accused had sex with her without her consent.

quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence.

The Federal Supreme Court was substituted by Justices Rennie, C.V.H. Archer & C. Wylie.

According to the Appellate Court, the appellant was convicted of rape. The defence’s case was consent .

The woman first accused the appellant before a constable of having snatched a ring and money from her.

She repeated that accusation at the police station and made the accusation of rape only after the appellant had said that he had intercourse with her with her consent.

The only other evidence relevant to the issue of consent was that of the medical witnesses who were in conflict with each other.

The Court held that the conviction could not safely be allowed to stand and the provisions of s. 16 (1) of the Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance, 1958 [B.G.] should be applied.

Section 16 (1) of the Federal Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance , 1958 [B.G.] , provides as follows: “The Federal Supreme Court on any such appeal against conviction

Adams was subsequently charged with rape and appeared before the judge and jury where he was convicted by the jury.

He appealed the decision.

Mr. Carlton Weithers appeared for the appellant.

Mr. E. A. Ramao appeared for the Crown.

Following the hearing of the appeal the Federal Supreme Court allowed the appeal,

shall allow the appeal if they think that the verdict of the jury should be set aside on the ground that it is unreasonable or cannot be supported having regard to the evidence….”

In delivering the facts, Justice Rennie on June 4, 1960 Special Reserve Constable Newton Albert was cycling along Sussex Street and came upon Vinton Jarvis and the appellant; Jarvis was holding the appellant’s

bicycle. She called out to S.R.C. Albert and reported to him that the appellant had snatched a ring and 25 cents from her.

Albert took them to the Ruimveldt Police Station and reported to Corporal Dundas what Jarvis had told him on Sussex Street.

Corporal Dundas then asked the appellant if he had heard what the Special Reserve Constable had said, whereupon the appellant said he had known Jarvis for six months; they had an appointment on that night and he took her to the back of Alexander Village and had an affair with her and it is because he did not fulfil certain promises he made to her that she made the allegations against him.

Jarvis denied knowing the appellant before that night. She said she never went to the back of Alexander Village with him.

The appellant met this denial by telling Cpl Dundas that he could tell him the kind of underwear she was wearing.

Confronted with such a challenge, Jarvis, for the first time told of having been raped.

It is in that setting that the jury had to decide whether or not Jarvis consented to the intercourse with the appellant. It does not appear anywhere in that setting that Jarvis made a complaint to S. R. C. Albert or to Corporal Dundas or to anyone else that she was raped.

Her answer to the appellant’s challenge was clearly not a complaint, the court found.

Justice Rennie ruled that if she had complained that fact could be taken into account to show that she was consistent in her conduct and it could also be taken into account to

By George Barclay

negative consent.

“But as we have already pointed out she did not complain. What she did was by way of face saving and could not, in any way, be negative consent,” the Judge stated.

The only other evidence that deals with the question of consent is that of a medical witness who examined Jarvis and found slight generalized tenderness of her vagina and expressed the opinion that such tenderness is never caused by intercourse by consent.

On the other hand, another medical witness called by the prosecution disagreed with the opinion expressed by the other doctor.

“The question now arises what this court should do in a case of that kind.

“Except in exceptional circumstances, a Court of Appeal will not upset the verdict of a jury for the simple reason that the jury had the opportunity of hearing and seeing the witnesses when giving their testimony.

“We consider this an exceptional case coming within the provisions of s. 16 (1) of the Federal Supreme Court (Appeals) Ordinance , 1958, which provides: “The Federal Supreme Court on any such appeal against conviction shall allow the appeal if they think that the verdict of the jury should be set aside on the ground that it is unreasonable or cannot be supported having regard to the evidence.”

Justice of Appeal Rennie concluded his judgment by saying: “This is a conviction that we think cannot safely be allowed to stand. The appeal is accordingly allowed, the conviction quashed and the sentence set aside.”

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

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Try Zumba!

THE Zumba dance craze isn’t going to die down anytime soon. As a matter of fact, Zumba studios are popping up like daisies everywhere and now people are wondering whether this kind of workout is right for them. So what exactly can Zumba do to you and your health?

REASONS WHY ZUMBA IS AN AMAZING WORKOUT For those who are still wondering whether Zumba is right for them, here are 8 reasons why you should give it a shot.

BURN HUGE AMOUNTS OF CALORIES A study conducted on Zumba dancers showed that just an hour’s worth of dancing helped participants burn more than 800 calories - and you know what that means. Zumba is a great way for you to speed up your weight loss!

TONING YOUR BODY You may not know this but since Zumba is a dance exercise, you are required to move your arms and legs even your booty to the tune of the music. You’ll be raising your arms, doing squats, even shaking your butt when doing Zumba,which means that all of the muscles of your body will be engaged throughout the session which is absolutely great especially as it helps tone your muscles.

PERFECT FOR ALL AGES Another reason why many opt for Zumba is because it’s great for all ages. Kids, teens, adults, and even the elders will get to enjoy some pretty good dance moves when doing Zumba and for sure, everyone’s going to love their workout session.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS Attending a Zumba class also means meeting new people and making new friends. Your world will expand some more as you work in getting rid of those excess pounds - which is a great when it comes to developing your ability to interact as well.

RELIEVE STRESS Stress can really put a damper to your spirits and make you feel out of sorts. Zumba, on the other hand, can help you release your stress through dancing. As you work up a sweat and feel your muscles getting exercised, your mind will no longer focus on the problems on hand but instead make you more aware of the dance you are doing and just letting you enjoy the moment.

IT’S FUN! Zumba is full of fun, which is one of the reasons why many keep on coming back for more. The first few classes may be tough since, you don’t know the steps but once you become familiar with them you’ll probably let yourself loose and just have fun shaking that booty along with fellow dancers.

ADAPTABLE What’s great about Zumba is that it works for both beginners and professionals. You can incorporate Zumba into your current workout routine to add more challenge to your muscles to help tone and strengthen them as you dance.

BETTER COORDINATION Coordination tends to wane as you grow older and although you’re not fully aware on how important coordination is at the moment, you’ll feel it once you get on in years. By doing Zumba, you are honing your coordination as you execute each of the dance moves in your class smoothly. You’ll get to reap the benefits of your Zumba classes soon enough.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

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SMOOTHLY EVOLVING THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF SURVIVAL W E do not have the tens of millions of souls that enable modern first world nations to quietly step ahead, leaving entire stubborn populations to be forgotten in the mould of obsolete traditions, to be referred to as archaeological case studies, living reflections of past times.

The seasons of functional time spaces are changing faster than ever before. What was en vogue twenty years ago has to evolve to exist today, or it will definitely dis-

appear. If you are reading this article and are a current teacher or retired, then you are crucial to this process.

I’m suggesting an “Adult Education-Restore Project” to confront the simple fact that we have too many illiterate citizens of a productive age. Recently I had eye-opening discussions with a village chairman [he also indicated that this was affecting other village chairs] concerning this matter and he ► Continued on page XIV

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

SMOOTHLY EVOLVING THE CULTURAL ... ► From page XIII

lamented his predicament at how easily rumours became fact, and his inability to dispatch the same.

Traditional means of doing business relied on scruples. This virtue has long eroded, more so over the last twenty years. The predominant traditional cultural methods of sustenance referred to, entails the following workers: “bush bottom” porknockers, timber grant employees, fishermen, cutlass weeder, shovel men, cane cutters, cash crop farmers and livestock producers.

They are all faced with inevitable challenges in the near future, for the on the horizon lies the cloud of GMO influences, which are sure to creep into our safe haven.

Sources have already indicated that this uncertain technology is already here. Who deciphers for our farmers whether GMO crops are beneficial to them and the nation, whether it’s good or dangerous? We already don’t trust much of what appears in our markets, what is sprayed to encourage forced ripening. I can recall discussing with a school mate, Veronica Boyce, mid-90s, about why fishermen at Mahaica were being forced to go further out to sea for fish. The fact is that they were fishing through breeding periods, wiping out young fish crops that were dumped on the foreshore, unsuitable by species for the market. She lamented that 90% of the fishermen could not read and would interpret any oral information implying change with suspicion and disbelief.

It is not impossible to conceive that procedures to test produce will necessarily come on stream locally, and large farms with certified organic produce replacing defaulters. Rather, it should be better that the current farmers evolve to be the organic producers. I had developed a comic book in the late 90s featuring two farmers BAINS& BOODOO for the Pesticides and Toxic Control Board, headed by Basudeo Dwarka.

That was initiated after I had written a letter concerning a citizen who had died after eating a papaya.

That book instructed farmers on how to use pesticides etc. I’m not sure of the continued success. Dwarka even wanted to develop animation skits, but that never came through. A sewing course would not produce a seamstress or tailor without that person being able to read catalogues and trade books on preferable cloth types, and to understand techniques for requested styles.

This also applies to all traditional industries, especially those areas that were guided by passed down oral practices not documented, that were developed by trial and error as with the traditional village midwives whose wealth of knowledge, I pray, was recorded some place.

The ability to read and record has to be resuscitated; experience learnt need not be ignored, but rather incorporated in the current methodology.

It was not the primitive shovel men with their traditional knowledge of yesteryear that breeched the conservancy in 2005 plunging us into death and misery. Nor are they the tra

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Local film Protection Game to be released next month

THE internet is abuzz with the trailer of the soon to be released local film Protection Game.

The trailer, which is now on YouTube, has received positive comments and excitement is in the air.

The Mahadeo Shivraj production is expected to hit theaters in Guyana towards the end of May. The movie is dedicated to Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary and is quite an achievement in the performing arts.

Filmed entirely in Georgetown, the movie, which features a multi ethnic cast,

was the first to be filmed in the Georgetown Magistrate's Court and the Supreme Court.

In the Somnauth Narine film, the father, played by Shivraj, must decide whether to operate within the confines of the law by using the services of a high-priced lawyer, or operate outside the law. It all comes down to: How far

will a father go to protect his son?

In this murder mystery heightened with suspense and risqué West Indian humour, love, devotion, and adherence to law, the storyline has garnered a high-profile cast.

Apart from Shivraj, the other actors include: Ron Robinson, who plays the De-

fense Lawyer; Michael Ignatius as Ravi; Chronicle’s Akash Persaud, who acts as prosecutor Baldeo; businessman Roshan Khan, who plays the Judge Gadwah; renowned actress Margaret Lawrence; well-known playwright Godfrey Naughton; Max Massiah; and Nirmala Narine.

Earth Day 2016

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As the world moves move steadily towards greener and more sustainable economies, Earth Day is another opportunity to take stock of what has been accomplished and to resolve to make even greater strides towards these goals. Earth

Day is a movement which started in the United States of America in the 1970s and has since gain global recognition. It is celebrated on April 22, and this year, will be celebrated under the theme “Trees for the Earth”.

The aim of Earth Day is to promote awareness and appreciation of Earth’s ecology and environment.

This will help society to

deal with the environmental problem of land, air and water pollution.Earth Day is a time to think about humanity's values; the threats

► Continued on page XVII

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Earth Day ...

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► From page XVI

that the planet faces and ways to help protect the environment.

On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement is scheduled to be signed by a 122 countries across the globe. This signing satisfies a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day’ which will be in 2020, five (5) major goals are set out with the first being planting more trees. This day will also celebrate 50 years since the publication of Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’. This publication is credited for sparking the environmental movement – an anniversary worth celebrating on Earth Day, April 22.

The time is now to plant a tree! This initiative will serve as a base f or a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Trees are considered as the lungs of the Earth, they provide many important services to us and the Earth, let’s say thank you and plant more trees.

Why are trees so important?

They help fight climate change;

They help in providing clean, fresh air for breathing;

They provide food and medicine ;

They provide energy;

They provide money;

Serve as habitats for biodiversity.

Our country and planet at large is losing trees every year due to deforestation, forest fires and land degradation. It is time for us to plant a tree today to make a difference for tomorrow.

Source:http://www.earthday.org/ “Make every day Earth Day” You can 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.

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UK airport sniffer dogs good at finding sausages, but not drugs (REUTERS) A team of sniffer dogs set up at a British airport at a cost of 1.25 million pounds ($1.7 million) have proved adept at discovering small amounts of cheese and sausages but not so good at finding smuggled drugs, a report said on Thursday.

An inspection of border security at Manchester Airport in northern England found that during a seven-month period, the six

dogs had failed to find any illegal class A drugs, those considered the most dangerous such as heroin or cocaine.

"The deterrent effect of the detection dogs was difficult to measure, but seizures alone represented a low return on investment, given 1.25 million spent on new kennels and the costs of operating the unit," said the report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.

Each dog has its own speciality in detecting goods such as drugs, tobacco, cash and meat being illegally brought into the airport by the 22 million passengers who use it annually.

However the report found that although the sniffers had helped customs seize 46 kg of cigarettes and 181 kg of meat, they had uncovered no class A drugs between November 2014 and June 2015 even though

this was a "very high" priority.

It said one dog trained to find smuggled animal products had made "multiple accurate detections, but most were of small amounts of cheese or sausages, wrongly brought back by returning British holidaymakers and posing minimal risk to UK public health".

Managers are now examining how better to deploy the dogs, the report said.

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The Rupununi Rodeo THE Rupununi Rodeo takes place on the Easter weekend every year at the Guyana/Brazil border town of Lethem.

Visitors travel to the area to witness the spectacle of vaqueros (cowboys) and cowgirls competing to ride wild cows and horses, with the simple rule that whoever can stay on the longest without being violently flung to the ground, wins.

Of course, there are other side attractions such as children competition to catch a greasy pig.

This year, international photographer Andrea De Silva was among the visitors to the Runununi Rodeo, and has shared these photos with Pepperpot.

Andrea prides herself with being a respected international award-winning visual story-teller and integrated photojournalist, with 30 years of experience, which all started when she took up an internship at the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

In December 2006, she resigned from The Guardian to showcase her own brand, Silva Image, an all purpose photography company (www. silvaimage.net) which has been embraced by a number of individual and corporate clients in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean.

In 2007, she agreed to a contract to work as a photojournalist with the well-respected Thomson Reuters News Agency. Andrea also continues to freelance for a number of international publications and media houses.

“My goal is to bring the viewer to a place where they should feel as if they’re there, watching the moment live,” she says. ► Contiuned on page XXIV

Jump S

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Nuriyyih takes on p

YOU’D been forgiven if you’re still having trouble pronouncing her name. We are too! So, try slowly with us – Noo-ree-yae.

Another confession: We know calling her the Jump Start girl might be too cliché, but seriously, that’s how we all know Nuriyyih Gerrard.

She is the swashbuckling radio jockey that wakes people out of bed on 94.1 Boom FM and keeps them entertained for a full three hours alongside Gordon Moseley, Potaro-Siparun the former Capitol News anof Beauti chorman who decided to adjectivise the show’s time slot (Each of the Miss W with a sexual position. represents a different ge Of course, long before Nuriyyih represents Regio Hits and Jams asked her to following description, fro join Moseley on the morning Region 8, ¬ Potaro-¬S show, Nurriyyih had had her metres of sheer beauty. Loc time on the radio. In fact, she of Guyana, the region got tells us that she used to do Siparuni rivers, tributarie programmes on all three staits natural boundaries. Ac the region has a populatio tions of NCN, but, am, before nantly the indigenous Pata Hits and Jams (and, well, the commerce is centred on Hindi filmi music on NTN mining operations in the a and RGI) ain’t nobody had dia, other economic activi time with radio! cattle rearing and tourism the iconic Kaieteur and p While trying to carve out and one of the four remai a space for herself as a young the world, Iwokrama. Wit broadcaster, she was also waterfalls, high altitude c busily engaged in her true and countless species of a love – acting. It started when is a gold mine of eco¬tour she interned at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, and as part of the communications strategy there, she helped developed Shattered Hopes and Dreams, which was eventually made into a movie. She won best actress then from the National Schools Drama Festival. Then, in 2011, she was adjudged Best Actress for Ensnared by the National Drama Festival, and she collected the same prize from the Festival last year for the production Crack Jokes.

Nuriyyih puts her entire being into acting, conscious

Start girl

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

h Gerrard pageantry

of the fact that she can’t appear to be seen as “acting.”

“When you’re acting, you have to embody the character that you’re playing, so none of it is you on stage.”

That fierceness with which she approaches acting is the same attitude that she brings to radio.

Take her off the radio and stage though, and what you find is a calm, almost diminutive character. That stems from her ongoing battle to be confident in herself.

Ever since she had a fall as a little girl that left a scar ni,tThe Heartbeat on one of her feet, she had iful Guyana been secretly harbouring the desire of entering a beauty World Guyana contestants pageant. Her father had said eographic region in Guyana. to her in typical Guyanese on Eight and, we extracted the Creole refrain: “Look how om an essay she wrote) you gone and damage yoSiparuni is 20,051 square kiloself; now you can’t even do cated in the forested highlands a pageant.” t its name from the Potaro and Though she fantasised es of the Essequibo river and about the idea, she didn’t ccording to the 2012 census, on of 10,190 people, predomithink she was beautiful amunas and Macushis. While enough or had the body the area's gold and diamond type fit for a beauty pageant administrative centre of Mahstage. ities include forestry, farming, Her move into broadm. Potaro¬Siparuni is home to popular Orinduik waterfalls; casting saw her interviewining unspoiled rainforests in ing beauty pageant contesth its mountain ranges, natural tants and the like, and she communities, pristine forests still all the while felt she animals and plants this region could not be one of them. rism potential.

But, no more of that now. Nuriyyih has entered the Miss World Guyana pageant, and, while she eyes the crown, she already sees the experience as one that has helped her fight inward tendency to second guess her true worth, and she doesn’t care if the cynicism of others say that that’s what every pageant girl says.

The Miss World Guyana pageant is set for May 27 at the National Cultural Centre. The winner will represent Guyana at the Miss World Pageant. Will it be Nuriyyih?

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The Rupununi Rodeo â–ş From page XXI

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XXV

Former TV ‘Apprentices’ say Trump unfit for White House (REUTERS) A group of former contestants on Donald Trump’s reality television show “The Apprentice” put their old boss in the hot seat on Friday, saying the U.S. Republican front-runner had widened racial divisions and should not be president.

Trump’s one-time admirers, most from racial minorities, urged the New York billionaire to tamp down his divisive rhetoric as he campaigns to succeed Democratic President Barack Obama in a Nov. 8 election.

“We are all disappointed and in some ways shocked to see what is being spewed from Donald regarding his views on women, immigrants, and the list goes on,” said Randal Pinkett,

winner of the 2005 fourth season of the reality television show.

“We strongly condemn Donald’s campaign of sexism, xenophobia, racism, violence, and hate,” he said at a news conference in Manhattan. Pinkett said Trump “is not worthy of the highest office of the land.” He said there were glimpses of those attitudes in private conversations and time spent offscreen with Trump during the making of the TV show.

Running for 14 seasons, “The Apprentice” gave Trump a national platform. His often blunt and unfiltered style helped make the show a major hit. The show featured groups of business-minded contestants vying for a titular apprenticeship in Trump’s organization. At its peak, nearly 21 million people

watched the show.

Trump’s proposals to ban Muslims and build a wall at the Mexican border have drawn criticism even within his party. His campaign has been accused of tacitly encouraging violence at large and rowdy rallies where Trump supporters have at times clashed with protesters.

Pinkett told Reuters he had contacted former “apprentices” and said their effort was independent and timed to precede a crucial nominating contest on Tuesday in ►Continued on page XXVI

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Former TV ‘Apprentices’ say Trump unfit for White ... ► From page XXV

New York. At the news conference, Pinkett was joined by former “Apprentice” contestants Tara Dowdell and Kwame Jackson; Marshawn Evans Daniels participated via video link.

‘FAILING WANNABES’ It seemed unlikely their effort would dent Trump’s comfortable advantage in New York opinion polls against rivals Ohio Governor John Kasich and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

In response, Trump dismissed his former aspiring protégés on Friday as “failing wannabes out of hundreds of contestants.”

“How quickly they forget. Nobody would know who they are if it weren’t for me,” he said in a statement. “They just want to get back into the limelight like they had when they were with Trump. Total dishonesty and disloyalty.”

Trump pulled ahead of Cruz and Kasich this week in the national Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Among Republicans, 45 percent support Trump, compared with 29

Former contestant on ‘The Apprentice,’ Dr. Randal Pinkett, speaks as fellow contestants Tara Dowdell (C) and Kwame Jackson (L) look on during a news conference against Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York City, April 15, 2016. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) percent for Cruz and 21 percent for Kasich. Meanwhile, Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are tied at 47 percent. The poll had a credibility interval of 4.6 percentage points.

NEW YORK POST ENDORSEMENT In an apparent bid to establish a more presidential footing, Trump turned from his usual platform of Twitter to the opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal to denounce the Republican National Committee over a nomination process he said was rigged.

Friday’s piece, along with an endorsement by the tabloid New York Post, signaled a possible detente with media magnate Rupert Murdoch, whose company News Corp owns both newspapers. A News Corp spokesman declined to comment on the relationship between the two billionaires.

Murdoch took to Twitter last year to denounce Trump’s comments that many illegal immigrants from Mexico were bringing crime to the United States, tweeting: “Trump wrong.” The Journal in July called Trump a “catastrophe” in a withering editorial.

Trump on Wednesday met privately with Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly after a feud that had lasted months.

Murdoch’s company 21st Century Fox owns the channel.

NBC, the network for “The Apprentice,” cut ties with Trump last year as he rose to the top of opinion polls with his descriptions of some Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists. Trump’s other well-known NBC venture, the Miss USA pageant and Miss Universe pageants, was also dropped from the line-up around that time.

Other “Apprentice” contestants have backed Trump, including actors Stephen Baldwin, Gary Busey and Lou Ferrigno, former basketball star Dennis Rodman and reality television star Jesse James.

But in remarks directed at Trump, Pinkett said, “I am calling, we are calling, for you to do better.”

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Puberty timing influenced by both parents (REUTERS HEALTH) - BOYS and girls may go through puberty sooner if their mothers and fathers were early bloomers, a recent Danish study suggests.

Researchers studied the timing of puberty for 672 girls and 846 boys relative to their parents and found kids who developed pubic hair and other hallmarks of adulthood at an unusually young age tended to have mothers and fathers who also matured early.

“Both genetic and environmental factors undoubtedly influence puberty timing,” said lead study author Dr. Christine Wohlfahrt-Veje, a growth and development researcher at the University of Copenhagen.

“Our study shows that both boys and girls inherit from both mothers and fathers, but indicates that the early pubertal markers – onset of breasts and pubic hair – in girls are less dependent on genetic and hence more on environmental factors such as childhood growth patterns and possibly other environmental exposures,” Wohlfahrt-Veje added by email.

Children who go through early puberty may be shorter than average adults because after their early growth spurt their bones may stop growing at a younger age, and they are also at increased risk of obesity as adults. During adolescence, they may face an increased risk of social and emotional problems and earlier sexual experiences.

Some recent research points to earlier puberty onset in general, especially in girls in developed countries.

Environmental factors like diet, obesity and chemicals that mimic human hormones have all been suspected of playing a role.

To look at the contribution of genetics to puberty timing, Wohlfahrt-Veje and colleagues examined medical records from annual checkups kids received between 2006 and 2013 as well as data on parental puberty timing from questionnaires completed by their parents.

When fathers matured early, boys tended to develop pubic hair almost one year ahead of boys with fathers who went through puberty late. Sons of men who developed early also grew enlarged testes about 9.5 months sooner than sons of fathers who went through puberty late.

Girls with fathers that matured early started menstruating about 10.5 months sooner than girls with late-bloomers for fathers, and the girls of fathers who went through early puberty also developed pubic hair around 7 months before girls whose fathers developed late. Early breast development in girls, however, didn’t appear to be tied to early puberty in their fathers.

When mothers went through puberty early, their sons and daughters tended to follow suit.

Daughters of women who matured early typically started menstruating about 10 months sooner than girls with late-blooming mothers.

Sons of women who went through puberty early typically went through genital maturation about 6.5 months before boys with mothers who developed late.

One shortcoming of the study is that researchers relied on parents to accurately recall and report on when they went through puberty many years earlier. They also got more data from mothers than fathers, which may have affected the relative influence of each parent in the results.

Because the study didn’t find as strong an association with parental puberty timing and breast development in girls, this suggests that other factors beyond genetics may influence puberty in girls, the authors conclude in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

“A broad normal variation exists within timing of puberty,” Wohlfahrt-Veje noted.

Still, when kids develop early, they quite likely came from a long line of early bloomers.

“A large proportion of this variation seems to be explained by genetics,” Wohlfahrt-Veje added. “If either the mother or father had early or late pubertal development it is likely to influence the timing of pubertal onset in both their sons and daughters.”

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Visually-impaired teen eyes broadcasting career

By Alva Solomon “I DON’T allow anything to trample me; I trample things all the time,” says Ceion Rollox.

He can be seen on his phone, utiising the Whatsapp messaging platform like any other person. He walks along the catwalk at the University of Guyana (UG), hurried and looking for his class like most. For Rollox, being visually impaired is the least of his concern; however, a career as a radio broadcaster is.

At 19, Rollox, is actively pursuing a Diploma in Communication Studies at UG, the country’s leading tertiary institution and for him, almost at the end his

“I am strong; I won’t allow my visual impairment to pull me down in life.” first year, the tertiary environment is a challenge he finds manageable.

Rollox was born with congenital cataracts, which occurs in newborn babies for many reasons that can include inherited tendencies, infection, metabolic problems, diabetes, trauma, inflammation or drug reactions.

He was seeing well until he was about nine (9) years old when his sight began to affect him. In 2006, he went to Cuba for eye surgery. It entailed a pair of lens being placed in his eyes. However, in 2011, at age 14, he said his world started to become dark.

He admits that he was “a bit careless.” He would sometimes go swimming in the trenches or fetch heavy equipment, among other tasks he was advised not to engage in.

“I was trying to be like any other teenager.”

He signed up for the diploma programme last year, the same year he obtained 5 (five) passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

“When I wrote CSEC in 2015, I felt very optimistic about my future and I’m pursuing this programme because I really love the field of journalism,” Rollox told the Guyana Chronicle during a recent interview at the Turkeyen Campus.

A scholarship student, Rollox said that he enjoys writing, noting that the field of journalism is wide and it gives him an opportunity to be an all-rounder.

“Honestly I really want to get into the radio field,” he said, with a stern look. He said if he is lucky to land a radio spot at the moment, “by the time I graduate I will be well qualified and able to ► Contiuned on page XXIX

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Visually-impaired teen eyes ... ► From page XXVIII

handle radio by myself.”

Being on the radio is a passion he hopes to fulfill one day.

While at UG, Rollox has obtained an array of knowledgeable facts and principles about the communication field, including information on human rights, the society and the “rules that apply to communications and journalism as a whole.”

“As a communication student, it helps you to speak better, teaches one what should be broadcast and what shouldn’t,” he noted.

“Before publishing information you most ensure that it is factual and accurate,” he added.

Coping with university life is a challenge but it is one Rollox knows how to overcome.

“I am a very independent young man.

“Coming to UG, sometimes I take a car, sometimes I walk.”

He lives across from the campus at Sophia, hence walking to class is an option he sometimes prefers.

As regards the classroom environment, Rollox noted that the technology of today is playing a key role in his academic pursuits.

Ceion and his friend Asif Khan sit outside the Centre for Communication Studies at the Turkeyen Campus recently. Khan is also pursuing studies in the social sciences field at UG. “We are living in a technological world and most of our information or documents are sent out electronically so it is very easy for us to get our notes,” he said.

During the lectures, he is able to understand what is being taught given the skills employed by the lecturers, whom he noted are good at teaching.

“Sometimes Ms Braam would use a slide (PowerPoint presentations) and she would read and explain and I would type as she teaches on my laptop,” he explained. ► Contiuned on page XXX

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Visually-impaired teen eyes ...

► From page XXX

He said that his laptop, which he described as a regular computer, is equipped with a programme from the Freedom Scientific technology group. The company created the programme to assist persons who are visually impaired. The software, JAWS ( Job Access With Speech) was developed by the company and it is utilized globally. It is said to be the world's most popular screen reader, developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications on your PC. As regards the courses, Rollox said that he thinks English and Sociology have been his strong points as well as the written communication courses. The others, such as the communication theories and journalism writing, can cause a headache or two for him.

Final examinations are on the horizon at UG and Rollox is preparing to handle the pressures of those exams. “I don’t allow anything to come over me because I try to always keep a calm head,” he said, noting that he is one of many who have practice and master the art of last-minute studies.

Rollox lives his life as normal as the person sitting next to him. He said that he perseveres with the blessings of the Almighty.

“I grow very rough not as a baby; nobody ever pet me and when I lost my sight it never bothered me,” he said.

“I am strong; I won’t allow my visual impairment to pull me down in life.”

His advice to anyone who is suffering from impairments is that one should not allow challenges to stymie their upward mobility.

“I pray to God, because you know God promises to hold our hands and I think young people should encourage themselves”, Rollox pointed out.

He then told a story of a man who had no food for his donkey and his last option was to bury the animal in a hole. “The man decided to bury the donkey and each day he throws dirt and the more he throws the dirt, the donkey rose until he reached above the hole and come out “, Rollox explained while maintaining a stern look throughout the interview.

He said his family plays a significant role is his academic pursuits and he noted that his mother, aunts and his grandmother are the pillars behind his ambition of furthering his studies.

“You know giving- up is never an option”, he said.

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Kobe's retirement a dark day for his fans in China (Reuters) WHILE Kobe Bryant will be sorely missed

by Los Angeles Lakers fans after he ended his stellar 20-year career in the NBA, his departure will leave a gaping hole for his legions of supporters in China.

According to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), 300 million people play the sport in China and for a majority of them, five-time NBA champion Bryant has become something of a cult figure.

For Zhang Weiping, a former basketball player and coach in China who now works as a television analyst, Bryant's extraordinary popularity in his homeland comes as no surprise.

"Lots of people around the world love Kobe and some people hate him but in China most of the people, the fans, love him," Weiping, 65, told Reuters after watching the 37-year-old Bryant play his final NBA

Kobe Bryant (front R) of NBA's Los Angeles Lakers interacts with Chinese students during a promotional event in Shanghai, July 31, 2014. (REUTERS/ ALY SONG) game, against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles.

"They love him because of his character, his personality, his basketball skill and also because no matter how difficult things were, he always met the challenge.

"Michael Jordan is top in China for the older generation but for the younger generation Kobe is number one. They love Kobe much more than LeBron (James) in China."

Asked where he would rank in popularity compared with China's best-known player, eight-time NBA AllStar Yao Ming, the ever-smiling Weiping replied: "Kobe first, then Yao Ming second."

Weiping, who was the second-highest scorer at the â–ş Contiuned on page XXXIV

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The diaspora and the motherland in the Jubilee Year The offerings by this packed Catholic Church at the annual Guyana Mass in New York was sent to Guyana to finance specific projects which were previously identified

By Francis Quamina Farrier IT was a dark and cold December night in 2010, as Brigadier David Granger walked into a building on Georgia Avenue in Washington, DC, the Capital of the United States of America. He was at the time, on the campaign trail for the leadership on the People's National Congress/Reform, back in his homeland, Guyana.

Many Washington, DC/ Maryland-based Guyanese were on hand to welcome him. The Guest of Honour was dressed in suit and tie and looked more Corporate than Military. The majority of those who were at that Town Hall meeting were also well-dressed.

Seated at the beautifully decorated head table, and flanked by members of the Washington, DC Chapter of the PNC/R, David Granger looked relaxed, friendly, and ready to state his case, and to respond to queries by members of the audience.

The questions were many and varied. The concerns for the state of affairs in Guyana, at that time, were expressed by quite a number of those in attendance; especially the crime situation and the alleged rampant corruption in high places. One middle-age lady, with trembling voice, related a harrowing experience she had, at the hands of ban-

dits, when she last visited the country of her birth.

David Granger answered every question that was put to him, with details of how he will solve whatever the challenges will be, should he become Leader of the PNC/R and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

What was very interesting, was Granger telling the audience that he plans to establish a Department for the Diaspora, should he become the Head of State of Guyana. That proposed Department, will be established in order to help those in the Diaspora, expedite their business with much more ease.

Five years later, David Arthur Granger did become President of Guyana. At his swearing-in-ceremony on Saturday May 16, 2015, which was held on the balcony of the Public Buildings on Brickdam in Georgetown, he again spoke of the importance of The Diaspora. More recently, I asked the President about his plans for the Diaspora, and he responded that it was very much in his current and future plans.

"We have embraced and engaged the Diaspora", the President told me.

The President has promoted the idea of, as he puts it, "The two Guyana's; the one in North America and the one in South America", and proposes that there will be established an "Of-

â–ş Contiuned on page XXXIII

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XXXIII

The diaspora and the motherland ... â–ş From page XXXII ficial Bridge", between Guyanese at home and Guyanese abroad. The Guyana Diaspora has played and continues to play a very important role in the development of Guyana, over the decades. The present David Granger administration seems ready to recognize and put things in place to make it even more vibrant. However, what is very necessary is respect and understanding between the two groups of Guyanese. There is a measure by some, on both sides of the Atlantic, of mistrust, and in some cases, even disrespect.

Speaking at a seminar some years ago, at the York College in Queens, New York, Guyanese-born, Bronx-based professor and social activist, Chuck Mohan, emphasized the need for respect by both Guyanese at home and those in the Diaspora.

For while there are many who do show respect and accountability, in both locations, there are just too many who do not. "There are some in the Diaspora who go down to Guyana and try to tell the people down there what to do, and there are those in Guyana who refuse to accept any suggestions from the Diaspora, no matter how valid", according to Chuck Mohan.

Over the decades, many groups and individuals in the Diaspora, have been dispatching a range of assistance to Guyana; individuals have been sending financial assistance to relatives, friends and organizations.

Village and educational associations and alumni have been sending lots of assistance, over the decades. Medical groups have also been coming down to Guyana and giving free medical attention to those in need, and who are unable to pay for it, or get to public hospitals and clinics.

The selfless services of these individuals and groups should never be

taken for granted. There is the Catholic Community in New York, which, for the past 26 years, has been holding an Annual Guyana Mass, at which the offerings taken, are dispatched to Guyana for specific projects. The Soup Kitchen at the Brickdam Presbytery, which supplies warm meals on a daily basis, to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, is one Charity, which has benefited over the years.

Guyana is swiftly approaching the period when the country will be swarmed with hundreds of members from the Diaspora. Some of them have not set foot on the motherland for decades. They would be expecting only the best, as they join us in celebrating Guyana's fiftieth Independence anniversary. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, is tiny in comparison to all of the airports from where those Guyanese would have flown; and it would be the very first reality of returning to a small country; albeit, the country of their birth. Some will be coming with young children and relatives, as well as friends, and I am sure that they will receive a real Guyanese welcome at the CJ International Airport.

Over the years, the exterior of the CJ Airport has been well maintained. Unfortunately, the interior, especially the washrooms, leaves a lot to be desired. That and other interior sections need attention as soon as possible.

In more recent months, the service by the Immigration and Customs, has been improving. That will have to continue for the mass arrivals of those from the diaspora, in May, for the Jubilee Year celebrations.

In my regular departures and arrivals at the CJ International Airport, I have experienced improved service at these two important government agencies.

The hope, too, is that

there will be a wide variety of activities for the visitors, especially organized tours to hinterland areas, such as Mabaruma, Moruca, Kamarang, Mahdia, Kaieteur Falls, Annai, Orinduk Falls, Lethem, and even as far south as Aishalton in the deep South Rupununi, as well as to the historic Fort Nassau on the upper Berbice river.

The restaurants and

the “watering holes� no doubt, are already well prepared for the influx of visitors. The tourist industry, especially the tourist resorts, will be going the extra mile, to make their guests enjoy a most pleasant and memorable visit.

My understanding is that the entertainment industry will also be well prepared.

So the ultimate hope is that the up-coming Jubilee Year celebrations will be another

opportunity for the diaspora, and those of us at home, to continue to build stronger bridges of friendship and cooperation, as Guyana continues its journey to its centenary.

President David Arthur Granger will also get the opportunity to showcase what he has achieved, so far, in building that firm bridge of understanding and cooperation between the Guyanese at home,

and those in the Diaspora.

While on the balcony of the Public Buildings just after his inauguration, President Granger invited the massive crowd to join hands and sing that popular Billy Pilgrim composition, "Let Us Cooperate for Guyana" and that is what we need to experience as we celebrate our 50th Jubilee year together.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

Kobe's retirement a dark...

â–ş From page

XXXI

1978 FIBA World Championship as a slashing-dunking forward on the Chinese national team, also pointed to Bryant's excellent marketing skills.

"He has learned a few words in Mandarin but it's much more than that, he uses social media networking very well,"

said Weiping, who has worked as a basketball commentator for China Central Television for more then two decades.

"And even before social media, he was very popular in China because of TV. We broadcast a lot of Lakers games and also Nike promoted him so that helped

make him the most popular NBA player in China."

Bryant, an 18-time All-Star who scored a season-high 60 points in his final NBA game against the Jazz on Tuesday, has held several training camps in China and also embarked on 'fan engagement' tours.

He signed a deal with online shopping giant Alibaba to sell his merchandise in China and when he announced last November his decision to retire from the NBA, he shared that post with his 4

million followers on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Bryant's final NBA game was streamed live in China by Tencent, the Asian nation's largest digital platform, with Weiping calling the play-by-play.

Tencent says it was the company's most-viewed game of all time with 38.9 million video streams and 11 million live viewers. On Chinese social media, the #ThankYouKobe and #Kobe hashtags generated 370 million impressions.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

English

THOUGHT FOR TODAY Get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

PRAYER BOOK - Proverbs 4:7

ANOTHER PASSAGE

Because the colonies had an unfavourable balance of trade with Britain, they had a constant need for specie to pay for imported British goods. To obtain specie, colonial merchants developed trade through various triangular

STUDY SUCCESS

routes, many of which violated the Navigation Acts since they involved direct

Dear student,

Africa where it was exchanged for slaves as well as gold. The slaves were

Question spotting is risky business. Given that an examiner could ask many

taken to the West Indies and sold for sugar, molasses, and gold. The molas-

different questions about a particular topic, guessing a particular question is

ses and sugar were shipped to the colonies and distilled into rum. Another

obviously difficult. In many subjects a core of topics is going to appear, with

profitable route took colonial fish, grain, and lumber to the West Indies. Here

some variation from year to year; and in some papers there is bound to be

they were exchanged for sugar and molasses, which then went to Britain to

a reasonably sure ‘banker’ question. Knowing of such, an effective way of

be exchanged for manufactured goods needed in the colonies.

trade with foreign nations. One popular route took colonial-made rum to West

preparing is to devise and practise work on assorted questions around topics.

(From R. Curry, J. Sproat, K. Cramer: “The Shaping of America”)

Be wise.

What to Do

Love you.

Now answer the following question broken into four parts: a) Give the meaning of the following terms which are found in the passage.

THE PASSAGE

unfavourable balance of trade, specie,

Are you dog conscious?

distilled into rum, manufactured goods.

Some breeds of dogs, like the Newfoundland and the Labrador, are named

b) Cite a violation of the Navigation Acts.

triangular routes, popular route,

after parts of Canada. Of these two dogs, the Newfoundland is bigger – so

c) Find on a map of the Americas where the colonies were located.

big that a boy can ride on its back! It is also big enough to rescue people from

d) Find a world map and trace routes mentioned in the passage.

drowning, especially as its webbed feet help it to swim well. Its shaggy coat

GRAMMAR

is almost always black.

We will look at three uses of the colon (:).

The Labrador is also a good dog, although not as big as the huge Newfound-

1. The colon (:) is used after a complete sentence followed by a list:

land. It can also be black, but some Labradors are a beautiful brown colour.

Agricultural engineers carry many things: manuals, notebooks, and pens.

Whatever the colour, the coat is smooth. It has a tail like an otter, thick at

2. The colon is used after a statement followed by a clause that further

the base and covered with long hair. Because it is an intelligent dog, it is still used for hunting, especially to find and retrieve game. It is particularly good for fetching waterfowl, as it is an excellent swimmer, even when the water temperature is below zero. In fact, fishermen have used it to carry messages between ships!

There are other breeds of dogs which take their names from places where

explains the statement.

Today’s teachers often find themselves with double jeopardy: They have low-paying jobs and disciplinary problems with their students.

3. The colon is used to separate parts of a named source, or parts of a book title.

Psalms 106:10 &11

they have originated. Still in North America, but at the opposite extreme both

Teen Health: Decisions for Healthy Living

location and size, we find the Chihuahua. Chihuahua is in Mexico, in the far

Writing Essay-type Answers in Examinations

south-west corner of North America. The dogs, which originally came from

It is not often possible to exactly reproduce in the examination room an

Chihuahua, are so tiny that one can fit into a large pocket! They have bright

essay you wrote on the same question as part of your course assignments.

eyes and smooth short coats, which make them look even thinner. They have

Time constraints are different and a more direct and precise style is now more

a high-pitched bark, but many people like to have them as pets because they

appropriate.

are intelligent, quick to learn, and fearless for their size.

What to Do This passage about dogs is written in simple language. This is what you need to do about it today.

1. Read the passage carefully and note its many details about the various dogs. Sketch the dogs if you can.

2. As you work, deliberately make an effort to note clarity of expression.

Jot down some likeable expressions. Tell a partner what brings clarity in them.

3. Note how topics are linked. Write down the linked topics.

4. Determine what expertise you can implement to improve your personal writing. Take care now.

Here are some important guidelines you can choose to follow: 1. Lay out your answers so that they look attractive, particularly your comprehension and short story responses.

2. Write in continuous prose, not in note form (some students carry over their note writing into the examination room.)

3. Read the question carefully, and then decide upon its type. Is it a descriptive or an analytical essay? Key words are a guide.

4. Avoid vagueness, generalizations, point-less words, and repetition of details.

5. Use short paragraphs and simple, shorter sentences. Examination essays have a beginning, middle, and end.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 17, 2016

XLIII

Prateik Babbar: I want to love my life ––So no drugs, no cheating, no trouble

(TIMES OF INDIA) WE often become prisoners of our past. And masters of our own mistakes. But it takes gallons of grit and gumption to say, "Yes, I got it all wrong." And then get down to clean the mess pool, with bare hands and a bruised but brave heart. Prateik Babbar is doing just that.

Yes, his was not a fairy tale in filmi land with a prologue penned by a godfather, a glorious debut and eventually the envious life of a movie star. It was far from glossy.

After his last release 'Issaq,' he disappeared for nearly three years, letting the fortress around him rise high and mighty — until he lost sight of the big picture. After years of wallowing in doubt, dilemma and drugs, Prateik ended

Tha' onwards my career just slumped. In the excitement of being an actor I got a little overconfident. I am glad that I have realised all the rights and wrongs of my life. It's like a healing process. I know that if I want to be respected, I have to show respect. Personally, too, I was going through a hard time."

Last year, Prateik lost his grandmom, the woman who raised him like a mother and was his strongest anchor. "The whole process of losing her was terribly painful. She has given me immense love and all I wanted to do was make her proud, and make her part of my success. I couldn't live up to it and that made me very angry. I was full of self-pity and was dodged with questions about my life.

PRATEIK BABBAR

the battle, one that he was fighting with his own self. In this story, no pretty princess kissed him out of a deep slumber. It was his own will to undo the wrong. And gallop back into the good side of life.

Sitting on the couch across me, the actor spills it all, because sometimes, the best choice we have is truth, and nothing but that. "I let failure get to me, and I was confused whether I should be an actor.

In eight years whatever I had done had not worked, while other actors were doing well. I stopped listening to scripts as I was very depressed. I loved the people around me and I loved going on the sets, but I isolated myself from everything. My fears took over me.

However, now I am not scared anymore," he tells me with a glint in his eye. I am not hungry for love anymore, I'm only hungry to be a good actor Did he have a plan B? Well, did he ever have a plan for his career? He quickly adds, "No, I never planned my life. At 19, I got signed up for commercials, it was easy money. I partied and enjoyed myself. 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' also happened with ease, it wasn't a lead role but people noticed me. Even 'Dhobhi Ghat' was an interesting film and 'Dum Maaro Dum' fared decently. From 'Ekk Deewana

I wondered why people liked me. Was it because my mother had died? Did they feel bad for me? Maybe, they liked me for all these reasons and not because I was a good actor.

All those thoughts tore me apart. After my grandmom passed away, I realised how everything in the past was pretty much my fault, and I had got it all wrong. But over time, I have made peace with myself and all those thoughts are behind me now. I only have gratitude for my parents and others around me."

So, he feels like a brand new person. Ready to reboot?

"Yes, I missed acting so much that now I am obsessed with it. I went and studied method acting and it really renewed my confidence and brought back my focus. It made me realise how much this means to me. Now the outcome doesn't matter, I just want to work. I have this new zest for life and I know that acting is my calling; I don't have any doubts about it," he says with a boyish grin. He adds, "I will reach out to people, I will apologise if I have to and do whatever it takes."

Prateik wears his heart on his sleeve, and is a self-professed emotional fool. His love life and break-up with actress Amy Jackson was the talk of town. He confesses, "I

didn't know what to do with myself after I broke up with Amy. It left a void in my life. I am not so good with heartbreak." He pauses and goes on to say, "It is not like I wanted a partner, it is more like I needed one. I thought I won't be able to survive without a partner. People around me told me that I was trying to fill a void of a female fig-

ure in my life, as I didn't have a mother, and was raised by my grandmom who was so much older. I was scared of not being in a relationship."

After much turmoil, he has moved on. But is he ready to fall in love again? Pat comes his reply, "I am not ready for a relationship yet.

I have been a complete mess in them, so I need to do some soul-searching before getting romantically involved again.

I was always very possessive and that's not the way to be.

And I have understood that you can't pluck a flower and want it to bloom, too. I am not hungry for love anymore, now I'm only hungry to be a good actor."

Everything is good in right measures, love included.

An overdose of anything can kill you, right? We have heard stories of his drug abuse and him being in rehab. He admits, "Yes, I should be honest with you. I turned to drugs at a very young age and at 19,

I came out of rehab. All that I was going through emotionally led me to that. I was stupid and rebellious. In the last three years I wasn't in rehab, but yes, I did do drugs.

My depression, my failed relationship and losing the person that mattered to me the most (grandmom) — it all broke me. I was at a stage where I did not love myself.

Depression and anger is such a bad combo, it leads to bad decisions and obnoxious behaviour."

Styled by Africa OVER the years we have seen African fashion evolved locally and on the internationally scene. The perception has changed. The clothing is no longer seen only as traditional or cultural but as a fashion choice, a form of personal

expression. Some may say there is also some form of cultural appropriation taking place with this generation and African clothing.

However, one can say it gives us pride in our roots. I

believe that if one has a stronger sense of who they are, they're less likely to be affected by the pressures of life.

Whatever you choose to wear be proud of your heritage, and they will be proud of you. (Pieces by KKC Fashion)

Get a taste of luxury with this brocade tunic, caftan pants, and head piece. Very loose-fitting, pullover tunic or caftan has dropped shoulders. Comfortable pull-on pants have elastic waist and side pockets.

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