Pepperpot 06 19 2016

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

We need some affirmative action to design the African Guyanese profile in our national identity

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et’s face it – of all Guyana’s peoples, African Guyanese are the least ready for the challenge of shaping a genuine national identity. We are not spiritually prepared....am not offering up what I have to say with any genuflection at the altar of bigotry; to the contrary...am primarily proposing that the African community must acknowledge a degree of responsibility for our complicity in the recurring historic crime against our generations. Through a complicity of silence, we’ve failed to manifest a “militant consciousness”, an essential element of self-definition with the power to inspire our children with the spirit to reject all notions of inferiority.

African Guyanese children are unlike any others in this nation; their ancestors endured the dehumanization of our past history of enslavement when we were considered no better than chattel; then, following hard on that, our battered psyche was afflicted with...affected by, the further mental assault fueling the psychology of colonial oppression.

Take for example, a child like myself...marched every ‘Empire Day’ to the Rialto Cinema on Garnett Street and Vlissengen Road, to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday; to lustily sing – Rule, Britannia! Britania, rule the wave! Britons never, never, never, shall be slaves. And – ► Continued on page III

Image of the African Maroon...forever escaping...

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016 ► From page II

Here’s a health unto His Majesty, With a fa la la la la la la, Confusion to his enemies, With a fa la la la la la la.

And he who would not drink his health, We wish him neither wit nor wealth, Nor yet a rope to hang himself.

With a fal lal la la la la la la la la, With a fal lal la la la la la.

Imagine that – “We wish him neither wit nor wealth, Nor yet a rope to hang himself” ...am talking about that pre-Independence period when our Politicians; Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, were stuffing down the throats of the British, their Magna Carta, the foundation document of the English system of common law; claiming to be a symbol of freedom from oppression....was a time when our poet Martin Carter was screaming – “I will not still my voice, I have too much to claim” and – “I come from the nigger yard of yesterday leaping from the oppressors’ hate and the scorn of myself; from the agony of the dark hut in the shadow and the hurt of things; from the long days of cruelty and the long nights of pain down to the wide streets of tomorrow, of the next day leaping I come, who cannot see will hear.

Colonial British Guianese children, celebrating the royal birthday, singing those ‘patriotic’ songs...shouting our hurrah’s, urged on by a presiding education official – “...louder, louder, louder children; you want him {or her} to hear you all the way over there in England – so give it all you’ve got – hiphip Hip-HIP” – ...we screamed our undeveloped throats hoarse – “Hooooooooooooraaaaaaaaay!!!

Then going home at midday, with the sun kicking dust, we encountered ‘Walker D Nigga’ a hunchback Santantone who sold English sweepstakes.

Intoning – “British man two shilling!”...clutching his sweepstake tickets in one hand...a large stone in the other, he would threaten with that stone (but he never hurt us), the throngs of children stalking him through the noonday streets chanting – “Walka d Nigga Walka d nigga”...he always asserted firmly – “BRITAIN YUH FOOLS I AM A BRITISH MAN...IS BETTER THE WHITEMAN RULE WE!...

Believe me – that eccentric old hunchback Walker D Nigga was communicating in his unique way, the philosophy of a surprising number of people who in the (to borrow from the poet Gwendolyn Brooks) ”seduced self-honeying” spaces of British Guianese middle class ‘society’ at that time, felt exactly the way he did.

Thus throughout the era of British colonization, at least in the fifties when I was a child, African Guyanese children were made to mouth in song, such self-deprecatory contempt for the enslaved state of their ancestors (which they, our enslavers themselves, had initiated) while we celebrated in the same breath, our “masters’” pride in their assumed superiority –

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“...Britons never, never, never, shall be slaves.

Unless she/he was being taught to think with a militant consciousness, the kind that springs naturally from the genes of a Coramantee warrior such as our National Hero Cuffy (Kofi), who was Coromantin, it is unrealistic to assume that an African Guyanese child’s mind could have survived this assault and matured into today’s adult with an informed sense of self.

Especially since, proceeding from all those slurs we were served by our history, not long after achieving Independence from the British in 1966, we ended up in the clutches of the travesty of the past 23 years of the racist PPP Government. In this “dark time”, another “Season of Oppression” the PPP cabal assumed the role of new masters on a contemporary plantation... thus creating a culture of acceptance which too many African Guyanese seem to have settled into “at the bottom of the ladder”.

The harrowing experience of the African Guyanese past is an accumulation of mental wounds inflicted by the new plantation, heaped on the physical scars of the old. When all this is combined with widespread ignorance of our glorious history before the Middle Passage and the proven fact that all life began in Africa, it is small wonder that Guyana’s people of African Descent have very little sense of their right to claim their uniqueness with pride...ensure that it is fully integrated into the design of our national identity.

Think about it – why is it that you never hear members of any other group in this country denying their origins as African Guyanese do, by declaring, “I ain no Indian” or “I’m not Chinese” or....?

I submit that a lot of work needs to be done within the African Guyanese Community if the APNU/AFC Coalition Administration would really give serious thought to achieving their goal of “cultural cohesion”. For starters, there must be a degree of Affirmative Action for the benefit of African Guyanese youth, stressing the point that AFRICAN HISTORY DOES NOT BEGIN WITH SLAVERY. Also there should be options to arrest the continuing trend of young African youths being paid to perpetrate criminal acts such as the Kaieteur News grenade incident. Such youths are rudderless, with no sense of community or direction; they are victims of history, trapped in the repetitive dilemma of marronage.

Perhaps this process of Affirmative Action can begin by disseminating the introductory African History booklets, 1- 4, compiled by Eric Phillips and Jonathan Adams, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee entitled: In The Beginning, Africa Before Slavery, The African Guyanese Holocaust, and The African Guyanese Reparations Claim; and a 5th booklet entitled: Crisis in the African Guyanese Community.

Affirmative action by definition is: “A policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination through active measures to ensure equal opportunity, as in education and employment”. Also known as positive discrimination, it is the policy of favoring members of a disadvantaged group who currently suffer or historically have suffered from discrimination within a culture. Often, these people are disadvantaged for historical reasons, such as oppression or slavery. In 1989, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination stipulated (in Article 2.2) that affirmative action programs may be required of countries that ratified the convention, in order to rectify systematic discrimination. It also states that such programs “shall in no case entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate rights for different racial groups after the objectives for which they were taken have been achieved”

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

The importance of artist-led initiatives

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hile there seems to be a significant increase in the number of artist-led initiatives (at least everywhere else except here in Guyana), it is hardly a new trend. In fact, Guyana has a strong history of these types of initiatives dating back to the 1930s and 40s.

So how have we managed to fall so far off the map that there has been no serious or critical

engagement since? A number of contributing factors come to mind, but perhaps the most important of them all (at least in my opinion) is the incredibly flawed education system we’ve suffered through.

An education that is inclusive and free from archaic teaching models that have anchored us in a sea of mediocrity is the only thing the will force us out of this stasis we’ve found ourselves in. This is something that I’ve said time and

again. If we were to examine every failed model, in any imaginable discipline, it would always lead us back to the way we are teaching students and future professionals. It really does start at the earliest level of education, which means the syllabus needs to be overhauled.

In 2016 we are training artists, performers and musicians without an arts management ► Continued on page V

Then member of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA) Professor Doris Rogers addressed the audience at the 1994 opening of their exhibition at the Scarborough Civic Center in Canada. GWAA remains one of the few surviving artist-led initiatives in Guyana that is still actively hosting events each year since its establishment in 1987

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016 ► From page IV course of any kind that would hopefully eliminate the need for those practitioners to be chief, cook and bottle washer. In the 53 years since the University of Guyana has been established, there is no course that offers professional business practices to artists preparing for their big debut in the real world.

I’ve had countless graduates look at me with furrowed brows at the mention of an “artist residency” and it’s completely baffling. In this age of technological advancement, most of them are unaware of the relevant and critical theories being discussed outside of this local bubble and how they are inextricably linked to their own practices.

Stanley Greaves, in conversation with me some time back, said, “You don’t go to the art school to learn how to be an artist.” I couldn’t agree more. You go there to learn how to survive as an artist. If you’re shelling out millions of dollars for a university degree then you deserve to be taught the practical methods of applying said degree to sustain a thriving art practice in an ever-changing market. You deserve to be taught the importance of forming collectives and how they can shoulder some of the burden you will inevitably face as a creative practitioner.

There is an enormous administrative elephant that most of our art tutors casually overlook when delivering lessons on the correct way to paint. Art students aren’t being taught what they really need to know to be taken seriously in the creative discourse happening regionally. This is why so many talented individuals have slipped through the cracks after graduating from the art school. There is no system in place that prepares them for the rigors of the professional creative field after they would’ve completed their studies.

In fact, most times they have no idea what the requirements are to begin with. But they’re really talented painters so that should be enough right?

Who needs to know how to write proposals, apply for grants, draft contracts, press releases or artist statements?

The absence of programs that are geared towards sustaining creative endeavours says a lot about our position (or lack thereof) in the grand scheme of things in this our beloved country. If you don’t believe this to be true then I challenge you to find a single advertisement, seeking applicants for an arts scholarship in any of our local newspapers. I’ll wait. The truth is you will see calls for every other area except the creative arts. There is no existing framework that continuously supports the work of creative practitioners in Guyana and no one has had the foresight to change that

in the fifty years since we’ve stopped getting support from the British government. Or maybe these issues have been raised in the past but that pesky red tape…

Regardless, this is where I think artist-led initiatives can step in as a type of supplementary model while the decision makers figure out which way is up. Although there are at least three different types of artist-led initiatives (artist cooperatives, artist collectives and artist-run spaces), they all have the potential to make invaluable contributions to their members and society at large. In addition to providing space for artists to work, exhibit and engage in critical discussions about their individual production, these initiatives also have the potential to activate communities by breaking down barriers to create an environment that fosters creative exchange among participants.

These groups can be used to facilitate high school students preparing for the art school, graduates that have already left the art school as well as established artists interested in

V sharing their experiences as professional practitioners. In fact, we can think further ahead to eventually hosting regional and international artist residencies in an attempt to strengthen creative ties with our neighbours as we re-enter the conversation of serious art production within the region. So many opportunities for travel and networking with other members of creative disciplines would be created as a result.

In theory this is a wonderful idea but the reality is that the elephant hasn’t left the room. The administrative work involved in establishing one such initiative is daunting to say the least. Trying to keep the ship afloat by handling the never-ending paperwork while actively seeking funding and still trying to find time to produce art is sure to wear down even the best of us. But there is strength in numbers and if you are surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who are willing and able to go the extra mile, then the rewards far outweigh any challenge that might present itself.

“Theatre” VI

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

By Subraj Singh

Francis Quamina Farrier’s

Journey to Freedom

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he Jubilee Theatre Festival came to a close on the night of Sunday, 12th June, at the National Cultural Centre when Francis Quamina Farrier’s comedic play, Journey to Freedom, was staged. It was directed by Godfrey Naughton and ran for over two hours. The manner in which the play was so overlong is just one of the factors that made it a bit of a lackluster event for what really should have been the final trump card in the hand being dealt by the Jubilee Festival.

Journey to Freedom does contain the kind of patriotic sentiments that are ideal for a Festival which aims to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The plot concerns a variety of tenants who live in buildings rented to them by the colonial-minded Mr. Jones during the time when Guyana shifts from being a colony of Great Britain to being an independent nation. Although it does meander and wander away from its main themes often, the play eventually comes back to its focus which appears to be the reactions to, and the repercussions of, independence. It’s a nice concept, but it never really reaches up to its full potential in this production.

The production started off with a nice musical number, but the opening was also marred by an uncalled for voiceover that proceeded to inform the audience on what they would see in the play, which was unnecessary and went against the old theatre adage of “show us, don’t tell us.” Another notable thing about the production was the conspicuous lack of believable period costume, which is important since the play, being set in the sixties onwards, qualifies as a period piece.

There were several live musical numbers throughout the play and some of the songs, such as Gavin Mendonca’s version of “Not a Blade of Grass” and Kimberly Samuel’s rendition of “Oh Beautiful Guyana” were quite good, although I do feel that the live steel pan orchestra was heavily underutilized. While the singing itself was fine, the way the music was integrated into the play (basically having all the action and dialogue stop and allowing the characters to simply stand and stare at the singers) was awkward and really did nothing to give the play extra points for creativity and purpose in the inclusion of musical numbers. More thought could have been put into how the songs and singers would be integrated into the play alongside the characters. Characters standing around and doing nothing while the song is sung is not even allowable in the most basic of Bollywood films.

Some of the more capable performances in the play include Nicholas Singh as the soldier, Rohan. Singh uses his body to communicate emotions well, and one of the better scenes in the production is where, saying nothing, he simply stands and savours the “independence air.” However, he needs to bring the same level of emotion that is in his body to his voice. Johann David was able to express the seductive slyness of his character and, along with Nirmala Narine, gave the audience one of the funniest moments in the play.

Nelan Benjamin as the “choke-and-rob” bandit was very good and was one of the few characters whose lines constantly made the audience laugh. The students of the National School of Theatre Arts and Dramas as extras were suitably expressive and brought the “village-vibe” that was necessary for the setting. Other members of the cast included Sonia Yarde, Akbar Singh, Taneka Caldeira, Alicia Charles, Kijana Lewis, Abigail Brower, Shevon Henry, Brian Goodman and Frederick Minty.

(Journey to Freedom – Official Poster)

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

VII

Father’s Day Hello Everyone,

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hope this week has treated you well.

Since today is Father’s Day, I would like to write about the importance of a father in relation to mental

health.

Firstly, I would like to dedicate this piece to my own father, Denis Vieira, who has always gone above and beyond for his family. Not only father, but we also consider him provider of the year as he spoils us with not only material things but with love, kindness and consideration. He has recently been the epitome of strength and forgiveness, something I hope to teach my own children one day.

In general, a father’s relationship with his child is very special and essential to their emotional well-being. While mothers are notoriously known as the caregivers, a father’s love is just as important to a child’s healthy development.

It is impossible to over-estimate the importance of father. Studies show that children who have good relationships with their father show higher academic performance, higher confidence and self-esteem, higher coping skills, fewer behavioural problems and are less likely to have mental health issues.

They are less likely to be addicted to alcohol and other drugs, less likely to live in poverty, go to prison and be overweight.

They are however, more likely to be independent. We all know how over protective most mothers can be, always focusing on our safety and well- being. It is our fathers that allow us to spread our wings and take healthy risks.

A father’s love is true and clear by the sacrifices they make. More fathers fail to take responsibility than mothers so the ones that do need to be understood and appreciated. More fathers today are sensitive and affectionate rather than just providers.

For the most part, fathers are the disciplinarians. They are protectors, teachers, financial supporters and huge role models.

More fathers have been taking on caregiver

roles as women today are more powerful and successful in the business world than ever. Therefore, men have a deeper role in raising children than they did even up to a decade ago.

Fathers typically show their daughters what real men should be like. Studies show that daughters tend to choose men who have similar characteristics to their father. If their father is loving and kind, they will choose loving and kind men.

If they are from an abusive household, they will tend to choose the same dysfunction in a life partner. Boys on the other hand, mostly model themselves after their father.

They seek their father’s approval and tend to develop characteristics that will reflect that.

Again, more often than not, loving fatherloving son; abusive father, abusive son.

It is important to note that your father does not need to be married to your mother or even live with you to be an active and important role model in your life. The relationship between a man and woman is separate from the relationship with the child. This is a fact that I believe is forgotten in Guyana.

If you’re a single mother reading this, don’t be hurt or discouraged about your child’s future. Remember that male mentors such as brothers, uncles or teachers can also be beneficial in their lives.

I know that it’s more difficult to express your feelings to your father than to your mother, especially young men so I have included two (I couldn’t choose!) short poems for you to share with your father. These poems remind me of my own father.

Please continue write in to caitlinvieira@ gmail.com to let me know what you would like to talk about OR stop in and see me at Woodlands Hospital Outpatient Department.

For issues with drugs/ alcohol – Monday’s at 4:30. General mental health issues- Wednesday’s at 4:30.

However, please note I will be out of the country from June 24th - July 10th so email me in that space to see if I can help!

Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

A Real Father

By Joanna Fuchs It's not so common anymore to have a dad who's really there, who is the provider for his family, who comes home every night, whose predictability creates a sense of stability and security in his household.

Your routine may not seem valuable to you, but it's worth a lot to me.

I'm thankful that I can depend on you to always be you-a real father, responsible, trustworthy, and a great role model.

I've learned a lot of good things from watching you.

Thanks, Dad.

Dad He never looks for praises He’s never one to boast He just goes on quietly working For those he loves the most His dreams are seldom spoken His wants are very few And most of the time his worries Will go unspoken too He’s there.... a firm foundation Through all our storms of life A sturdy hand to hold to When times are good or bad One of our greatest blessings The man that we call dad.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

Guyana and Orlando

(Some of the victims of the Orlando Massacre – Image via CNN)

The truth is that such events have already happened in this country on more than one occasion. They continue to happen. LGBT people have been the subjects of verbal and physical assaults in Guyana from time immemorial.

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By Subraj Singh

he mass murder of 50 members of the American LGBT community and their allies at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida last weekend was caused by gunshots that have now reverberated around the entire world. The conversation, like a many headed hydra, has grown and expanded to include many different facets of thought and conversation that are far removed from the crime and what it really signifies.

Of course, there are similarities in the conversations that people are having.

Supporters and advocates of LGBT rights are united in their outpouring of grief and their justifiable fury at the fact that they have lost loved ones, while those who oppose the LGBT cause come together to spew hate and condemn the innocent people who have lost their lives.

The conversation is as prevalent in Guyana, because the conversation is significant to Guyana, as evidenced by the expressions of sympathy that have been flooding social media since the incident occurred. Social media, it should be noted, is as relevant a forum of discussion as the group of men talking on the streets or public servants who conduct the same discussion in their offices.

Social media reflects the voices of many people, including the crucial youth demographic of our country, and their voices shout out words, philosophies, ideas and opinions that are more than worthy of analysis. The conversation

on the Orlando shootings on popular social media platform, Facebook, for example, has raised several poignant questions that force many Guyanese to see their reactions to homophobia in America, while not being cognizant of the homophobia that is still very much prevalent in Guyana. Among these questions, includes the vital one, highlighted by Navina Paul, a young University of Guyana School of Medicine student on social media, which serves as a summation of all the other points and questions that we, as a nation, need to ask ourselves: how would we, the Guyanese people, react if an event similar to the one that took place in Orlando happened here in Guyana?

The truth is that such events have already happened in this country on more than one occasion. They continue to happen. LGBT people have been the subjects of verbal and physical assaults in Guyana from time immemorial.

In the not so recent past, there have been spates of murders, particularly of people who identify as being transgender. About two years ago, a jilted man brutally murdered two members of the Guyanese LGBT community, Tyra Banks and Jada, in the middle of the street. Last year, another member of the community, Noel Luther, 20, was gunned down.

Tiffany Holder and Nandkumar Purnwassie are other examples of people within the LGBT community who have been murdered in Guyana. â–ş Continued on page IX

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

(Jada, killed in 2014)

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(Tyra, killed in 2014 – Image via iNews) ► From page VIII

Yet, while the shootings in Orlando is a tragic event, one has to ponder on why many so Guyanese have failed to express in the ways they are currently doing for all the LGBT people of Guyanese nationality who have been killed over the years.

Perhaps the answer is obvious and the loss of 50 lives in one night is a somber enough representation of homophobic hate that has jolted the Guyanese society into recognizing and realizing the horrors that can be meted out to LGBT persons.

However, there is also a second, more morbid and controversial school of thought; one which caters to the notion of Guyanese refusing to acknowledge the death of their own because of a sort of devaluing of everything Guyanese in favour of what is foreign and “trending.”

One hopes that the years of silence that now seem to have been broken are not merely because of a superficial expectation to grieve, but rather is expressive of genuine rage and sorrow at the loss of many innocent lives. Our original question of how Guyanese would [now] react to the deaths of LGBT persons in their country is one, therefore, that cannot be answered right away.

The answer, meant to unearth whether the Orlando shootings has really made people in our country more sympathetic to the LGBT cause, will be found in the moments after now, after the attack, in the ways in which people treat the LGBT community.

Would the physical and verbal attacks against gay people in the streets stop? Would homophobic Christians recognize their error in dictating how other people should lead their lives? Would more people attend SASOD’s Film Festival in an attempt to learn more about LGBT persons?

Would the discriminatory laws be permanently removed from our legal system? Would a gay person be allowed to walk freely around Georgetown without having to fear condemnation? If these things are allowed, if the Guyanese people allow them to happen, then we would know that Orlando has definitely triggered some sort of change in our own country. Until then, we continue to hope.

The situation in Orlando also brought to the fore other areas of concern for Guyana. Mental health, for example, is something that features very prominently in the whole situation. With one of the highest suicide rates in the world, an archaic manner of approaching mental health and a lack of overall resources, it is obvious that Guyana is already in very dire straits. At the time of writing, there is speculation that the gunman in the Orlando shooting may have been gay himself and that his murder spree may have been a symptom of his struggle with his sexuality, perhaps one where he projected his own sexual identity on to the people he murdered. Speculation aside, however,

there is no doubt that struggles with sexuality fall into the category of mental health issues, and one has to ask whether that struggle like depression, anxiety and so many others fall into the category of illnesses that are not recognized for what they are by many Guyanese and is therefore not given the serious attention it requires. As a nation, we must ask ourselves what this means for the wellbeing of our country’s people. The link between mental health and massacres of all kinds is one that has become clearer and clearer over the years and this should make the necessity of treating mental illnesses a priority in order to benefit society and the country as a whole, while also being beneficial on an individualistic level for the people who suffer from such mental health disorders. Indeed, for this country to move forward with a healthy, stable populace, mental health needs to be a key focus point for the current administration.

Two other relevant conversations that are being fiercely debated in the wake of Orlando’s tragedy are those related to gun laws and religion, with the ease of the gunman’s ability to procure the gun he used in the massacre and his religion, as a Muslim with affiliations to ISIS, being points of contention. These are both relevant to Guyana. With the first, the connection is obvious. Guyana is known for its high rate of gun-related crimes; something which, in fact, has, in recent years, become a bit of a norm. Does Guyana have a gun problem? The answer is yes. One would look to the government for answers and solutions, but if the crime rate remains the same, if over a hundred improvised weapons, scores of cell phones, razor blades and lighters can manage to go undiscovered in the Camp Street prison, the country’s main prison, for so long then it is not likely people to expect illegal guns and ammunition across all of Guyana to be found and confiscated, with the owners being charged and tried.

In Guyana, Islam has always had a rocky relationship with homosexuals. The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), as an example, earlier this year denounced LGBT-themed postage stamps produced by the United Nations, claiming that such an act served to promote a way life of life that is detrimental to their beliefs. However, in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, Muslims have been coming forward with sympathies and prayers for the LGBT community. If significant only because of the CIOG’s recent attacks on the community and because of the Orlando shootings, people like Kashir and Scheherazade Khan must be taken note of. As Muslims, they have partnered with the Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination and invited the public to partake in Iftar (the evening meal used to end days of fasting in the month of Ramadan) in remembrance of those who died in the Orlando shooting. The importance of such a move may be lost to some, but to others it is a reminder that they are not alone in the fight for the LGBT cause and that even here in Guyana, there are people who will stand for what is right.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

19676 Court of Appeal decision

In cases of alibi, a judge ought to give special direction

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N 1967, the Guyana Court of Appeal affirmed the convictions and sentences of Appellants Carlton Adams & James Lawrence, accused of robbery, despite allegations that the trial judge erred by not putting the alibi defence to the jury.

Dismissing the Appeal and affirming the conviction and sentence, the Guyana Court of Appeal, constituted

by Chancellor of the Judiciary Mr. Kenneth Stoby and Justices of Appeal Mr. Percival Cummings and Mr. Victor Crane held that : “It is not necessary for the trial judge to give a special direction as he must in respect to certain other defenses such as provocation, self-defence and drunkenness, etc.”

The facts of the case disclosed that one man was robbed by one of the appellants as he was about to enter a shop.

Two constables who were on duty in plain clothes at a nearby corner were attracted by shouts of “thief” and saw when one of the appellants joined the other one, who had a bicycle, and the two of them rode away.

The two constables gave chase and subsequently apprehended the appellants who, at their trial, gave sworn evidence testifying that they were somewhere else. One said he was shopping, whilst the other said he was making enquiries about work.

In his summing up, the trial judge directed the jury on the burden of proof and on the standard of proof but at no time did he specifically explain that the defence was an alibi or give any specific direction regarding the alibis.

On appeal against conviction and sentence, the Appellate Court held (i) an alibi, as such , is not a defence , and accordingly, there is no evidential burden cast upon the accused ; (2) where an alibi has been set up, as here, then it is not necessary for the trial judge to give a special direction as he must where certain defences such as provocation, self-defence , drunkenness, etc. raised, once he makes it quite clear that the jury must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence charged. If this is not done, then the accused is entitled to the benefit of any reasonable doubt.

Mr. Desmond Christian represented the appellants, while Senior Crown Counsel, Mr. W. G. Persaud appeared for the respondent.

Delivering the judgment of the Guyana Court of Appeal, Chancellor Stoby said, “This appeal, which was admirably argued by Mr. Christian for the appellants, raises once again the question of what is the proper direction to be given to a jury when the accused’s answer to the charge is an alibi.

“The appellants were charged with robbery with violence. A witness gave evidence that as he was about to enter a shop in Regent Street one of the accused attacked and robbed him.. This witness chased

that accused and saw him joined the other accused who was waiting on a bicycle at Regent and Alexander Streets.

The two accused rode away and were pursued for a considerable distance by this witness. Unknown to the participants of this incident, two police constables on duty in plain clothes were standing at the corner of Alexander and Regent Streets. Attracted by shouts of “thief” they saw one of the accused join the other accused and saw them both ride away. They followed on a motor cycle and caught up with them some distance from the starting point. As the policemen approached the two accused, they abandoned their cycle and ran into a nearby yard. The Police followed.

After a chase which involved entering into various yards and out on to various streets, one accused was apprehended by one policeman at the corner of

Light and North Streets and the other at Light and Robb Streets. The policemen and the two accused were always within their vision and the effect of their evidence was that the men arrested , were. the men who were chased from Alexander and Regent Streets..

Both accused gave sworn evidence. One said that he had shopped that morning at the material time with his mother in the market. After concluding his purchase, he walked to Light and North Streets, where he was arrested .

The other accused said he was sent to Robb Street to do some work about 1;15 p.m. He went there and made enquiries at the first house between Light & Cummings Streets and was sent further down Robb Street. While walking in Robb Street he was arrested.

One accused called two witnesses to support his alibi.

According to the Chancellor, in his summing-up, the judge directed the jury on the burden of proof and the standard of proof, but at no time did he specifically explain that the defence was an alibi or give a specific direction regarding a alibi. He did, however, deal very fully with the defence in language which will be referred to hereafter.

He also said that counsel for the appellants in submitting that the convictions should be quashed for

By George Barclay non-direction, amounting to misdirection , referred to R. v. Maraj (i), where it was contended that the trial judge erred in not giving to the jury the direction that ought to be given where a defence of alibi is setup.

In delivering the Judgment of the court, GOMES C.J. said (1961-1962), 4, W.I.R. 277, at p. 278): “Where the defence of alibi is set up, the requirement for an adequate direction to be given by the judge to the jury is of such an elementary nature that it should not require constant repetition. The fundamental principle is that before a jury can return a verdict of guilty, they must feel sure that the prosecution has discharged the onus of establishing the guilt of the accused.

“Where an alibi is set up as a defence, not only does that onus remain on the prosecution, but the trial judge is required to go a step further and direct the jury that, even if they reject or do not believe the defence of alibi, they must nevertheless, still consider whether the prosecution has proved all the ingredients of the charge that must be established before they can convict.

“The main reason why that further direction or reminder is required to be given is that where an accused person gives evidence on calls witnesses, or does both of those things, in support of his alibi, the jury is confronted with two diametrically opposed versions which are created by the presentation of evidence, the truth or falsity of which can be tested and be determined by them .

In such event, a jury, in the absence of the further direction, might think that if they reject the alibi, they must or can only accept the version put forward by the prosecution.

“That situation, however does not arise where no evidence in support of an alibi is given by the defence or otherwise appears, as is the case here, and the trial judge was therefore not required to give to the jury the further direction mentioned above.”

According to the Chancellor, counsel for the appellant had argued that the appellant had not only given sworn evidence of their alibis but had called witnesses and consequently the case came equally within the rule laid down by GOMES, C .J. After dismissing the appeal and affirming the convictions and sentence Chancellor Stoby said that while accepting that in certain circumstances a judge should follow the pattern laid down by GOMES C. J., he noted that the reason why in some cases a judge ought to give a special direction in respect of an alibi is solely to make sure that the jury approaches the consideration of a verdict in the correct way.

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Accomplished visually-impaired Guyanese looks to give back Mark Ramnauth

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By Telesha Ramnarine ARK Vickram Ramnauth, now 54, was born with a visual impairment that worsened over time, resulting in him dropping out midway of secondary school. He migrated to the United States, however, and completed his education as he was ever determined to do.

Ramnauth grew up in Ruimveldt Scheme and Alexander Village, and left Guyana in 1985, having attended St. Pius Primary and Charlestown Secondary. His goal is to eventually be able to do philanthropic work in Guyana.

After obtaining his Masters from the New York University in the area of Rehabilitation Science, Ramnauth is now a vocational consultant, disability advocate and hotel owner. He worked for many years in the area of rehabilitation, assisting people with disabilities, and he presently has a consultant company that provides services to various state boards and other companies as it relates to disabilities.

Ramnauth’s impairment is genetic as he has two other siblings with the gene. It is sometimes called Juvenile Macular Degeneration or Stargardt's Disease.

“Since the retina is severely damaged, glasses cannot correct the visual loss and the result is 20/3000 vision or worse. Fortunately, the progression is slow and I have decent mobility. I cannot read normal print, recognize faces in a room and there is difficulty with contrast as well as some forms of light. But I am able to dance and enjoy a lot of ballroom and tango dancing.”

Even so, Ramauth’s life is not without its challenges.

“Even with technology, technical reading is tedious. I can’t drive. I would love to be able to read musical scores, but that is a challenge. The most limiting is social. I enjoy being public and social events, but I usually don’t recognize faces. It is common to meet the same person twice but not make the connection visually.”

The challenges seemed easier to cope with when Ramnauth migrated to the US. “Moving to the U.S exponentially improved my functional capacity. The people there were opened minded, I was provided with lots of accommodation such as increased time for exams, assistive technologies, readers, and endless books on tapes.”

The key technology was a machine known as a Close Circuit TV and screen magnification and screen reader software called Zoomtext. Currently, he uses an iphone for all kinds of computing that has a built in accessibility reader called VoiceOver.

Ramnauth’s advice to those who are visually impaired or blind is simple: “Belief in the possibilities is key. You have to leave your comfort zone to grow. Learn typing and keyboard. Network with others and encourage the society to overcome their limits on you. There are lots of free resources on the Internet.”

Ramnauth has a 14 year old son, Paul.

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PAINTING (Conclusion) AND TROPICAL CULTURE

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By Terence Roberts

ith abstract painting, reality became much more than what one saw, and free from any specific “real” representation of the artist's race, nation, or society. It was more about what one felt and thought about what one saw.

“Real” representations of societies and nations largely became the subject matter of photography and cinema. The international appeal and adoption of abstract painting is therefore linked to thinking, feeling, experiencing sensations, dreams, even logic, unrestricted by specific racial, geographical, or cultural information.

In one of the essential books on art: “The Eternal Present: The beginning of Art”, art historian S. Giedion wrote: "Like the symbol, abstraction comes into being with the beginning of art. It existed: nameless. It was simply there.”

Natural light anywhere linked painters to the

realm of the tropical. Take Sam Francis, probably the moved loved and successful North American painter outside the USA, who made Paris and Tokyo his main bases of living and painting, while keeping a temporary studio in the USA. A close friend of Riopelle in Paris, they share a similarity of INTENSE painting, but not painting method. Whereas Riopelle mastered the palette knife, Francis mastered brushes related to diverse cultures, particularly Japanese. He immersed his senses in the tropical environments of countries like Mexico, India, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, China.

Working endlessly on canvas and paper, his paintings became miracles of vision influenced by an alchemy of mobile shapes and colours shot through with atmospheric tropical shadow and light, placing the viewer on the borderline of “now you see it, now you don't” psychological perception. ► Continued on page XIII

There is the story of a bright abstract Sam Francis painting which made a lady recover from persistent depression upon seeing it

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► From page XII The paintings of Sam Francis convey enormous happiness by their sheer sincerity. Like many of the great abstract painters, he absorbed and conveyed philosophical strength by reading philosophy; in his case it was mostly the psychological writings of the famous philosopher Carl Jung.

There is the story of a bright abstract Sam Francis painting which made a lady recover from persistent depression upon seeing it. The work acted like the psychic medicine of a primitive shaman. His abstract paintings find appreciation among the Japanese, citizens of Hong Kong, Manila, Mexico, etc, where they are exhibited to people who recognize their tropical values. And where exactly is Sam Francis from? Sunny and cosmopolitan California.

Apart from their overall spirit of light, the works of Riopelle, Francis, or Hunderwasser are filled with details which demand viewer contemplation They are not mere wall décor. Who would have thought that Hunderwasser from Austria's capital, Vienna, would revive contemporary painting as an intense individual act beyond all styles, all schools, linking his works to an informal use of tropical color and structure?

Art criticism therefore met an impasse before Hunderwasser's paintings. We can say that his famous spirals cripple the intellectual need for academic art criticism.

He once wrote: “The spiral lies at the very point where inanimate matter is transformed into life. Our whole life proceeds in spirals. Progress is regress and regress becomes progress.”

Hundertwasser lived for the sun, sailed around the world in his small schooner, and moved permanently to New Zealand. He painted non-stop everywhere without embarrassment.

Apart from visiting and painting in 32 tropical countries in Africa, Asia, the Far East and South America, he designed three tropical postage stamps for Senegal at the invitation of its then president Leopold Senghor, a profound African poet.

He also brilliantly transformed parts of Vienna into a green tropical city of rooftop vegetation and appropriate calm minimal architectural painting and design; the complete opposite of trendy garish and frenetic urban murals which project social issues on the public, rather than resolve them in painting.

Influences related to “primitive” tropical values of informal, intuitive creativity, were part of the COBRA group of post-war Scandinavian semi-abstract painters: Appel, Corneille, Alechinsky, Rooskens and Jorn and others, from the cities of Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. For these exciting artists modern painting was not the repetition and mastery of academic rules, but an open-minded maintenance of direct, intuitive surprise painting, liberated and guided by their hands and eyes confident in themselves.

Such freedom was more refined in Italy, where Santomaso, Afro Basaldella, and Corpora's abstract paintings led the way in acute sensitivity out of Italy's huge Art History, dispersing southern Italian light with brilliant painterly effects.

In South America, painting obviously became both a product of tropical culture and

Hundertwasser - Close-up of Infinity - Tagore's Sun, 1994 an influence on it. But other styles of painting tended to dominate, and historical issues of politics, historical ambitions, illiteracy, crime, corruption, and indifference over-shadowed the social potential of a tropical form of painting.

Exceptions include Rufino Tamayo of Mexico, a Zapotec Indian internationally celebrated as a giant of 20th century painting. Cuba's Wifredo Lam opened a whole new surreal tropical style of painting with “The Jungle.”

And Venezuela's Armando Reveron with humane foresight asserted the essence of Venezuelan tropical life by rejecting the political topics and social and historical obsessions of his nation.

Reveron began to live and paint in the seacoast village of Macuto in a humble hut like a wise hermit. There his dazzling history-making monochromatic canvasses emerged with their dazzling seacoasts, beaches, trees, huts, waves, and also voluptuous nudes of ordinary women, all of which preserved the joy of planetary tropical values as a celebrated truth in Venezuelan painting.

In Peru, De Syzslo, and in Columbia, Obregon, came to represent the best examples of internationally famous South American painters of tropical values. In Guyana, tropical abstraction

in the exceptional hands of Aubrey Williams, Frank Bowling, and Cletus Henriques grasped the national/cultural identity in its widest organic truth. In a nation where such an achievement is diminished by a barrage of diverse ethnic cultural interests and much needed curatorial focus, Williams' mature organic abstract paintings reflect the nation's terrestrial effect on humble surfaces and sites weathered by the elements; Bowling's monochromatic works on the other hand stun with their deep cosmic understanding of color, surface, and especially the movement of water, culled from a intensely felt Guyanese landscape; Henriques' glowing canvasses repeat rich isolated forms of color projected from deep within his country's mineral wealth; they are done with palette knives, Henriques' unique skill in Guyanese painting, which is linked to this Guyanese artist's Portuguese heritage's traditional mastery of applying plaster and stucco.

One comprehensive exhibition and catalogue of there three artists' mature tropical abstract paintings remains needed to harvest their brilliant examples of how tropical culture defines the Guyanese national identity, and uplifts their culture to its inherited world view.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

Poster shows the photographers for Visions 2016

Art Photography Exhibition opens Monday

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number of Guyanese photographers have come together to stage an exhibition, titled Visions 2016, following the cancellation of the Capture Guyana competition which was advertised by the government.

The exhibition will be held from Monday at Fitz-Gerald House on Hadfield Street.

“To the best of our knowledge this is the first exhibition of its kind, featuring a total of 17 Guyanese artists who are presenting 47 of their works,” said Michael Lam, the organiser of the exhibition.

“Over the course of the past 10 years, photography has developed rapidly in Guyana thanks to the relatively ease of use and availability of digital cameras.

“While in the past, notable artists such as Bobby Fernandes have pursued through

much dedication the art and craft of photography, in difficult circumstances of scarcity; our new generation have found their footing thanks to the easing of many constraints that may have made this artistic endeavor more of a challenge,” Lam stated in a press release.

The exhibition is being curated by Karran Sahadeo.

Fitz-Gerald House was made available for the exhibition by Deane-Hughes Designs and Ms. Elizabeth Deane-Hughes, who will have works on exhibition.

Lam said the directors and management of Bounty Supermarkets have expressed profound admiration for the project and have enlisted as sponsors, recognising the exhibition allows the featured photographers “to display their creativity and talent, and share their art with Guyana and beyond.”.

The exhibition is open to the public during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday from June 20-30.

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Benab Foundation rolls out literacy prog. in July

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tarted under the Cognitive Initiative Programme four years ago, the “Benab Foundation,” has fostered literacy and numeracy amongst dozens of underprivileged, mostly Georgetown-based second form students.

During their first year of tutorship, two schools were targeted and 50 students were tutored. In 2013, they targeted four schools and had close to 80 students; last year they targeted five schools and will be doing the same this year.

From July 18, 2016 to August 12, the Foundation will undertake classes in five high schools and expects to tutor over 120 students. The schools targeted are St. Johns College, St Georges High, Dolphin Secondary, Campbelville Secondary and St. Winifred Secondary.

Co-founder of the Foundation, Saevion David-Longe, said that in the beginning, there were only seven tutors but last year, they had close to 30. Volunteers have to apply. The prerequisite for becoming a tutor is to have a Grade One or Two pass in the two target subjects of Mathematics and English. An interview and training session is done with every volunteer, not only to refresh their memory in certain areas, but to also ensure they adhere to a general code of ethics.

So far, they have never had cause to reject any

One of last year’s classes

volunteer.

“Even if they are qualified and lacking in other areas we put them to work along with stronger volunteers.”

Aside from developmental programmes for the volunteers, there are also developmental programmes for the members as well, said Longe, as they believe in the need to both develop themselves and those who come to them for help.

The initiative was started with the goal of reaching out to students who were not doing too well, particularly those in junior secondary schools.

Explaining the rationale behind the choice of only tutoring form two students, Longe said this choice was made in an attempt to prepare students for their third form examinations while simultaneously reinforcing some of the fundamental principles of Mathematics and English.

“What we want to do,” he said, “is generally improve the lives of Guyanese through educational ‘upliftment’ and we hope to soon divert into areas such as sports and health. We also want them to be trained in certain social skills.”

While the programme is at the moment limited to Georgetown due to several factors, students from around the country are invited to partake. “So we are limited but yet not limited,” said Longe.

Response to the programme has since been “extremely good” from both the participants and authoritative figures in the schools targeted.

Commenting on the future goals of the Foundation, Longe said that they are actively working on making the programme a whole day event rather than a four-hour one. Also, it is hoped that they would soon be able to extend the programme to primary schools so that students preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment would have the help they need.

Additionally, they are looking at ways in which to make the programme a countrywide one and branch out into areas such as community development through sports and health. However, most of these plans are at a standstill as funding has been a major hurdle.

“We were not able to attain as much as we anticipated,” he said, “we thought the idea would have been a little more catchy.”

While they have begun to recently receive funds from various private individuals and entities, there still remains a lot to do.

“I believe however, that the rate of contributions are raising now because we are in the fourth year of the Cognitive initiative and people are realizing that there is some (merit) to it,” said Longe.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

FOOD FOR THE POOR (GUYANA) - 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE POOR

Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. (FFP) celebrated 25 year of dedicated service to the poor and needy in our country on June 3, 2016.

FFP, arguably the largest non-governmental organization in Guyana, commenced operations on 3rd June, 1991 in High Street, Kingston, Georgetown with two staff members, Mr. Leon Davis and his personal assistant. The office was subsequently relocated to 248 Forshaw and Oronoque Streets, Queenstown with one additional staff.

However, because of the great need for essential services for the poor, the organization quickly expanded and acquired the Festival City, North Ruimveldt property of Wray’s Bag Factory in 1995. This building which currently houses all 53 members of staff is complete with a large warehouse.

Extensions to the building were done during 2001 and 2002 to accommodate two new departments and the Boardroom. In 2001 as the need for more space arose the “Call-on-Centre on Lombard Street was utilized. In 2012 as the pace of distribution increased the use of the Centre was discontinued.

HOUSING Over the years being integrally involved in the housing drive FFP Guyana has so far constructed over 3240 housing units, free of cost, for underprivileged families across Guyana.

These homes are two-bedroom wooden structures 20ft x16ft.

Of the 3240 units, more than 500 homes were constructed as part of eleven villages, seven of which were built for Amerindian Communities on the Essequibo Coast in Region 2.

The other four villages are located at Wong- Tobago and White Water Mabaruma in Region 1 and Saint Cuthbert’s

Mission and Swan located in Region 4. Most of the villages are equipped with sanitation blocks, shower enclosures, community centres, schools and water projects.

PROJECTS FFP Projects Department apart from overseeing the Housing Projects are also engaged in a number of self-sustainable projects which include Wells and Water Projects, Animal Husbandry, Tilapia Farming, Livestock Rearing, Skills Training, Shade Houses and Solar Electrification Projects among others.

OUTREACH & DISTRIBUTION One of the major activities of the organization is the Outreach Program. Items such as food, footwear, personal care items and sports equipment are distributed throughout the 10 regions of our country as FFP tries its utmost to reach the poorest of the poor of the nation.

Apart from food items, FFP continues to provide medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, office furniture, students and teachers’ furniture, reading and text books, seeds and agricultural tools on a regular basis to relevant organizations and to those in need.

Several Geriatric Homes are assisted on a monthly basis with needed supplies.

The work of FPP is assisted by local churches, groups, committees and other charitable and relief organizations across the country. They help to ensure that the goods and relief supplies are distributed in a timely manner to those in need and are properly accounted for.

FEEDING PROGRAM FFP’s School Feeding Program commenced in 2004 and offers an excellent opportunity for enhancing nutrition, improving school attendance and educational outcomes.

Presently, more than 460 students of the East La Penitence Primary and Enterprise Primary (Reg. 4), Uele Primary and St. Monica Primary (Pomeroon River), Mashabo (Reg. 2), and West Watooka Primary school (Reg. 10) are daily served a hot nutritious meal, a glass of refreshing juice and a fruit.

The students are also the recipients of monthly care packages, which help significantly in not only sustaining them but also members of their household.

ANGELS OF HOPE Eleven children’s homes caring for 248 children constitute FFP’s Angels of Hope Program. The homes receive of a monthly supply of food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies. The children are sponsored by overseas donors from the USA. The homes are namely:- Alpha Children’s Home, Camal Home International, Joshua House Children’s Centre, St. John’s Bosco Boys’ Orphanage, Save R’ Kids Children’s Home, Bright Horizon, Bless the Children, Ruimveldt Children’s Home, A Sanctuary Children’s Home, Children of Promise and Hauraruni Girls Home. ► Continued on page XVII

Distribution of food and other items at Parfaite Harmonie

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Bright Horizon Children’s Dorm Project: This project resulted in the completion of a 17 x 50 two storey, concrete structure which is now being utilized as a dormitory for the females residing at the Bright Horizon Children’s Home. This Home has 14 children. Prior to this project, there was only one building which housed the males females and the administrators. They were hard pressed for space. The Home is much more comfortable and a happier place for the children.

Food For The Poor(Guy) Inc covered the entire cost of this project which amounted to $7M ► From page XVI SUPPORT While FFP Guyana is supported in part by FFP Inc. Florida, the organization itself greatly depends on fundraisers and the generosity of local donors in order to finance its operations and to fulfil its mission as it continues to reach out to the poorest of the poor in Guyana. FFP thanks God for FFP Inc. Florida and the donors both overseas and local who continue to open their hearts to the poor.

The organization needs increased support from local companies and individuals as it seeks to expand its outreach.

MANAGEMENT One of 17 countries which are associated with Food for the Poor Inc. in Coconut Creek, Florida USA, FFP Guyana is headed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mr. Paul Chan-ASue, while the daily operations are managed by Mr. Kent Vincent, Chief Executive Officer.

The organization was previously managed by former Executive Director Mr. Leon Davis, who retired in 2012 after serving the entity for 21 years with distinction. There are nine other managers overseeing various departments.

AWARD FFP was awarded the Medal of Service (Group) by the Government of Guyana in 2011, for the excellent job it continues to do in assisting the poor and less fortunate in our country.

OUTLOOK The organization has currently outgrown its current premises and is constrained to increase its outreach. However, as it seeks to expand the needed assistance to the poor, four (4) acres of land has been approved for the organization by the Government.

With new premises and more space available, FFP would be able to increase its service to the poor and needy of Guyana.

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Dry mouth

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nsufficient oral secretion is caused by a condition called xerostomia. A reduction in the amount of flow of saliva, which may occur for various reasons, causes the balance of the mouth to be upset, and contributes to dental disease. There are a number of reasons why saliva may be reduced or why its flow varies. These include age, prescription drugs, anxiety and acute illness.

Saliva production and flow diminish with age, certain drugs used for allergies, asthma, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, inflammatory conditions, infertility, nausea and Parkinson’s disease.

Many people will have experienced a dry mouth associated with panic – perhaps before a dental appointment or public speaking.

Diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, resulting in a reduction in saliva production. Infectious diseases such as mumps (inflammation of the parotid gland) have the same effect. Dryness in the oral cavity may also be due to mouth breathing at night, or in people with a malocclusion (bad bite) or chronic sinus problems. Also, there could be calcified stones, which are stored in the salivary ducts.

When one has Sjogren’s syndrome, which is associated with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the lubrication of mucous membranes is dras-

tically reduced. Patients often complain of dry eyes as well as a dry mouth. Radiotherapy (for cancer) to the head and neck usually causes a reduction in salivary flow. This can also happen in menopausal women.

In some patients, their salivary flow never returns to normal and they suffer greatly from the effects from a permanently dry mouth. The conDr. BERTRAND sequences include an R. STUART, DDS. increased risk for tooth decay. In the elderly, root caries can be associated with xerostomia ( which can cause plaque build-up) when gingival recession is present. The root surface does not have enamel protection and is prone to demineralization (softening).

A chronically dry mouth can lead to gingivitis

which sometimes culminates in gum disease because a reduction in salivary flow diminishes the self-cleansing ability of the mouth when the tongue has no lubrication to help remove stagnating food debris. Additionally, fungal and yeast infections may occur due to their proliferation leading to sore tongue (it sticks to the roof of the mouth usually at night). It is not unusual that insufficient saliva causes “mouth burning “sensation, ulceration, (particularly in radiotherapy patients) and speech difficulties.

The way to manage a dry mouth depends on its cause. For patients with chronic illness, who need to continue with their drug treatments, it may not be possible to remove the cause so therapy is usually symptomatic. All patients should be advised to maintain excellent oral hygiene. They should not use a toothpaste which contains the foaming agent sodium lauryl sulphate that tends to dry the mouth. Recommended toothpastes are Sensodyne Promanel or Biotene.

Other measures to combat a chronically dry mouth include: a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables which simulates flow; chewing sugar-free gum ( containing xylitol) ; frequent sips of water or unsweetened drinks (non-alcoholic); sucking small ice chips; lubricating the mouth with non-virgin olive oil and artificial saliva available by prescription.

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PROTECTING AND DEVELOPING CHILDREN CONSUMER

CONCERNS:

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ver the last week, the issue of the Rights of the Child was given some media notice. There was, for instance, the world-wide commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour on Sunday 12th June and a seminar on Wednesday 15th June arranged for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by the United Na-

tions Children's Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC) headed by Ms Aleema Nasir, which dealt with the role of the Police in protecting children.

Ms Nasir, incidentally, comes from a family, who for the last two generations, have been deeply engaged in charitable, religious and humanitarian work includ-

PAT DIAL ing protecting the welfare of children. We felt however, the media could have given more coverage to the Rights of the Child since it was such an important social issue but it always seemed to have been elbowed out by topical political and crime

stories.

Protecting the Rights of the Child is of fundamental importance to the Guyanese Nation and this involves many spheres of activities.

There is the issue of child labour; children in the Law Courts and in the hands of the Police; the health of children; homeless children; children's education; and children in the family.

These issues all relate to each other but they could not all be addressed in a short article.

Child labour prevents the functioning of a well-organized and well-regulated

labour market; its elimination helps to create an economy with long-term stability. In 2015, a sample survey of child labour was done in Georgetown and other population centres along the coast as well as at Ituni and Kwakwani. The age-groups were divided into three categories - 15 years and younger, 15 to 16 years, and 16 to 18 years.

It was found that more than half were engaged in selling and agriculture with smaller numbers suffering from injuries and illnesses caused by lifting heavy loads, operating machinery,

and being exposed to chemicals, pesticides, gases and being involved in prostitution activities.

As a result of these findings, it was announced that a special unit would be established in the Social Protection Ministry to deal with the issues of child labour. The unit still has to be established but as an immediate strategy, the Ministry will be enforcing the child labour laws, removing working children off the streets and ensuring â–ş Continued on page XX

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PROTECTING AND DEVELOPING CHILDREN â–ş From

page XIX

that they go to school and appointing more labour inspectors.

With regards to children the Police and the Courts, the Police are being sensitized that they must never regard or treat children the same way as adults nor must they punish or torture them.

And in the Courts, they should not be compelled to give evidence and should always be provided with legal representation from the time they are apprehended by the Police and on their appearance in Court. In this regard, the Rights of the Child Commission is calling for the establishment of Public Defender's Office for

children. Particular cognizance must be taken of the plight of disabled children.

There is a great deal that could be done for assisting children to improve their education, such as the proper teaching of English and Mathematics and the use of the computer. The Education Authorities as well as many parents are aware that the ubiquity of private lessons after and before school hours is an extremely negative trend in the Education System: It is an encouragement to the teachers not to teach during school hours; it takes away the child's childhood; it is an oppressive financial burden on parents; and it discriminates against poorer parents and children who cannot afford to pay for private lessons.

The main opposition to the abolition of this widespread system of private lessons and the return of normal school hours for children are the comparatively few persons who are making money from private lessons.

But probably the greatest help that could be accorded children to prevent abuse, to allow them to live a normal and happier life and to allow them to develop and manifest their innate talents, the greatest help lies with parents and guardians.

Parents need to be socialized as to their roles and as part of their socialization, they have to learn the basic psychology of children. The media, the various electronic educational programes and parent-teachers associations

could greatly help in this regard.

Parents must realize that children are not identical to adults and that at the various ages before adolescence, they are very different.

They must learn to treat their adolescent children

with patience, tolerance and understanding. They must develop an empathy with their children which would allow them to grasp how sensitive and how deeply hurt they are by any slights, insults and ill-treatment.

Many parents are un-

aware of the deep disappointment and hurt they cause their children by their omission and neglect to give a word of praise and appreciation for any achievement or good or positive thing their children may have done.

Dr Daniel Ram

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

Dr Daniel Ram

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- Young Guyanese scientist researching cure for HIV/AIDS at Harvard

After gracing front pages as the top CXC student for Guyana and the Caribbean in 2003 and then pursuing a PhD in immunology, Daniel Ram is now at Harvard University carrying out research to stop the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He told Alva Solomon how it all happened

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By Alva Solomon

equipment with tubes which costs millions of US dollars and it’s important to know what you are aniel Ram has been in love with the doing” he said. sciences ever since he was seven-yearsDaniel has also applied for professorial posts old and is known in Guyana for stellar at Harvard, a process which carries a waiting academic achievements over the years. period of as long as 10 years. “It’s either 2 or Back in 2003, his face appeared on the 10,” he said, nonchalantly. He is no stranger to front pages when he was named the top student for the Harvard, since he had interned there and was CSEC Exams offered by the Caribbean Examinations tasked with undertaking research in virology and Council in both Guyana and the Caribbean. immunology while he read for his BA in ChemBy 2009, he had already conquered a degree in istry and Biology at Concordia College in the Chemistry and Biology. That year, he left these shores US soon after he wrote the CXC examinations. in search of a PhD in immunology.

He also studied viral mutation and the effect on That feat conquered, today he is pursuing research HIV at the time. at Harvard University with the aim of finding a possible He posited that his love for teaching may cure for HIV/AIDS. bring him home, as he noted that he is willing Like most scientists, when interviewing Daniel, origto transfer his knowledge to those who have an inally from LBI, East Coast Demerara, one has to pay interest in the science field here. keen attention to his use of scientific language since he According to him, Guyana’s secondary may unknowingly cover a topic which is important in the school system provides a concrete foundation for world of science and health. That was the case recently those who are willing to advance their studies in when the Guyana Chronicle caught up with Daniel at the field. He said that this rich form of schooling his parents’ home. ensures that a student can provide a more elabSeated in the study of his father, Dr Chatterpaul Ram, orate answer to a question rather than a simple a dentist, the young doctor said that the past seven years “yes” or “no” option. It is this rich vein of knowlhave been one of the more challenging periods of his acedge which he said can advance the country’s Dr Daniel Ram and his wife Alice Cao ademic life. He was based at Tufts University in Boston, development, given the ideal environment here Massachusetts, the option he selected when he had to for research. “I think the problem in Guyana is make a choice after he was also selected to study at the prominent Johns Hopkins University. funding,” he cautioned. He said that to implement systems for research requires large sums, At Tufts University, the bulk of his studies focused on research, where he zoomed in on but he reiterated that the country provides the ideal hunting ground for research, especially a possible injected cure for surgical infections where blood flow is disrupted in a process in the field of biology. known as sepsis. He explained that the studies focused on the development of a preventative But academics aside, the young scholar has also eclipsed another achievement in his cure wherein persons with injuries who require surgical procedures can be injected with personal life. Several months ago, six to be exact, he married another academic in Alice medicines to prevent the injury from becoming septic.

Cao, who is also pursuing studies in the medical field. The young doctor and his wife were His focus was on mice, and he spent long hours assessing the life of the animals which painting another building which his father is completing near to the family’s home when were injected with proteins and tested for reactions to the various medicinal implants. Al- this publication caught up with the family several days ago. though he could not complete the particular area of study since his graduation happened Her clothes splattered in paint, the young lady smilingly hugged her husband when it this year, he plans to pursue the field. was time to have their pictures taken.

But something else of interest came into the fray for Daniel recently. Some two weeks Daniel and his wife, along with his sister Rebeka and her partner came to Guyana to visit ago, he started working at Harvard University’s Centre for Virology and Vaccine Research his parents, to “relax” as the young doctor noted. Rebeka is also pursuing studies in mediand research on HIV entered his area of focus. HIV has always been on his mind and finding cine; she is currently reading for her masters in the field of medical technology in the US. a possible cure is a definite focal point for him.

Daniel masked a broad smile when it was suggested that this weekend his former He said that barely one week into the job, he was sent to New York to study the use of Queen’s College classmates and friends will read of his academic feats, and of course equipment which he will be seeing very often, given his new area of study. ”It’s basically his marriage.

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Teaching for close to four decades

- Verna Johnson swapped a desire for the Army and grew to love teaching

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fter being in the noble profession of teaching for 38 years, Verna Johnson has no regrets and if she had to, she’d do it all over again.

Johnson was one of 44 teachers from all across Guyana who were awarded for their outstanding service to the teaching profession at National Teacher’s Award ceremony at the National Cultural Centre on May 30, 2016.

Johnson told the Guyana Chronicle that she misses teaching because of the children, thousands of whom passed through the schools she taught.

“Having taught so many and for so long, it became a part of me and it is good seeing some of them having good jobs,” Johnson told the Guyana Chronicle.

Strange enough, she never wanted to be a teacher.

Johnson was born, with her identical twin sister, on the Corentyne Coast in 1960.

Her father, Albert was an employee of the Ministry of Public Works and her mother, Annie King served as a housewife.

The legacy of teaching was left to Johnson by her father who was a teacher for a period in his life.

She hails from a family of teachers; five were graduate teachers, of which four were head teachers. Coincidentally, her twin sister is also a retired head teacher, who last served as head-teacher of Stella Maris Primary She grew up in a village about 20 miles from New Amsterdam and started school at Eversham Church of Scotland School, about half mile from her home.

In 1967, after her father died, the family moved to Corriverton, thus her Primary education continued at St. Margaret’s Primary, now renamed Corriverton Primary.

As a single-parent, her mother was unable to pay for extra lessons, which was a criterion to be placed in the class to write the Secondary School Entrance Examination, so she was unable to do so. However, the opportunity came for her to attend Secondary School when she wrote the Preliminary Certificate of Examination in 1972 and was successful.

Johnson’s Secondary education was obtained at the Skeldon Line Path Government Secondary School where she wrote and was successful at five subjects at the GCE O Level.

Teaching was the last thing on her mind when she completed her Secondary education. She was always interested in the military but was dissuaded, as in those days females seldom chose that field as a career. However, she found satisfaction in the teaching profession.

Her professional career began at the age of sixteen on October 19, 1976 at the Corriverton Primary School as an Acting Teacher. In September 1977, she pursued studies at the Cyril Potter College of Education and graduated two years later as a Trained Class One, Grade One teacher before continuing her teaching career at Crabwood Creek Primary School for one year before returning to Corriverton Primary in 1980.

Attending CPCE afforded her to meet her future life partner and she married Mr. Alvin Johnson on September 5, 1981. This union produced three girls, two of whom are Trained Teachers.

Being transferred to Parika-Salem Primary School effective September 4, 1981, Johnson continued there until she was promoted to Senior Mistress, effective September 1, 1993.

During her tenure at Parika-Salem, some of her years were spent teaching the

Verna Johnson Grade Six and Ms Johnson remembered her time at Primary School, when, because of her family being financially challenged, she was unable to write this examination.

As such, she devoted her time and energies to tutoring her students after regular school hours and on weekends free of charge.

She acted in the position of Deputy Headteacher at Parika-Salem for three years from September 2001 before being confirmed in this position at Philadelphia Primary School (Grade B School) on September1, 2004.

In September 2006, she was promoted to Deputy Head (Grade A) at Leonora Primary. She returned to Philadelphia Primary on January 4, 2008, but this time in the capacity of Headteacher.

Johnson always promised that she would not pursue any other studies until her children had completed their Primary education, so in September 2004, when her last child began her Secondary education, she commenced reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Administration at the University of Guyana.

She completed her Certificate in Education with a distinction while gaining two other awards – the University of Guyana Award for outstanding performance in the academic year 2005/2006 and the Guyana Teachers Union Award for the runner-up best graduating student. She graduated with distinction in 2008. Prior to that, in 2004 she successfully completed an Education Management Programme sponsored by NCERD for school managers.

Verna Johnson attends the Elim Pentecostal Church at Parika and is an active member. Her social life is not very active for as she says, she is most comfortable being at home and concentrating on domestic activities such as knitting and a little sewing.

In 2013, Philadelphia Primary School was downgraded to C, thus Johnson was transferred to Greenwich Park Primary School where she served until she retired with effect from April 1, 2015 as a Graduate headteacher, after serving in the education sector for thirty eight years, five months and twelve days.

Though no longer in the classroom, she is still involved in education, serving at the Ministry of Education Department in Region 3 Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Johnson said she did not regret teaching because of the experience she gained through the years.

She also taught her own children.

Her advice to young teachers is to make it a long term career only if they love it, as “it is the love for teaching that makes it worthwhile.” (Michel Ouridge)

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At 59, career educator eyes PhD

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

- stresses need for ‘practical application’ in teaching

by Telesha Ramnarine ACTING Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDC), University of Guyana (UG), Mrs. Winifred James Kippins, feels strongly that a good teacher will by all means teach students in a way that will help them reflect on their own lives and see the practical application of the concepts being taught.

The 59-year-old, who has always placed a high value on obtaining a sound education for as far back as she can remember, will not settle for less than her PhD, for which she has already signed up.

Born and raised in a humble East Ruimveldt family, Mrs. Kippins always knew that ► Contiuned on page XXVII

Winifred James Kippins

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she wanted to become a teacher, and even when circumstances became rough and almost forced her out of an education, she persevered and fought the odds to remain in school.

She attended Salem/ Lodge Congregational School and East Ruimveldt Secondary where an older sister (now deceased) paid for her

to write six GCE O’ Level subjects. After passing all of them, she immediately realized her dream of becoming a teacher at Campbellville Community High School where she taught Home Economics.

Eventually she would attend the reputable Lilian Dewar College of Education for secondary teachers, which was located in the building that now houses the National

Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) in Kingston.

“Lilian Dewar ranked higher than CPCE (Cyril Potter College of Education).

I don’t know what they did at Cyril Potter but at Lilian Dewar, we were given everything - books, crayons, markers, text books, everything you can think of that you needed to be a teacher,” Mrs. Kippins said in an interview with the Chronicle

at her IDC office in Queen’s College Compound recently.

Having graduated from Lilian Dewar, she went back to teaching at East Ruimveldt Secondary where she was shortly after made the head of department. After five years, she was transferred to the Carnegie School of Home

XXVII Economics as the supernumerary head of department.

Mrs. Kippins later went to the University of Guyana where she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and graduated with credit, after which she did post-graduate studies in international studies.

In a turn of events, however, she would decide to stay at home and sew for a living even after graduating from UG. This is not to say that she was regretful of this decision, for sewing ► Contiuned

on page XXVIII

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At 59, career ... ◄ From

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turned out to be a very lucrative job for Mrs. Kippins and she began sewing for bank managers, high-rank-

ing professionals and the like.

In 1997, when the SIMAP Programme was introduced for out of school youths though, she decided to

go back to Carnegie to teach that programme in garment construction.

From then to now, she has been involved in “extension educa-

tion,” which refers to evening classes for adults. “What I found is that a lot of the nice, fancy women who came to Carnegie could not measure, could not do basic calculations.

“For instance, they would measure their hips but could not find a quarter of it when asked to. So I realised that there was a crisis.

You saw young women who could not do basic measurements. You were wondering what will happen to their lives,” related Mrs. Kippins.

When that programme was coming to an end, she noticed

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016 an advertisement for teachers needed in Botswana. She subsequently went to that country and taught for four years, during which she did her Master’s Degree and specialized in adult education.

TEACHING AND RELEVANCE Mrs. Kippins has been observing for many years that some teachers teach students in a rather abstract manner. “They are not relating what they are teaching to real life. You will have persons who will need to be able to relate what you’re teaching to their normal experiences, which we will call relevance.

“And in understanding the relevance, it will enable them to better understand what you are teaching them so that they can learn from it.”

Aside from managing IDC, Mrs. Kippins also teaches supervisory management for supervisors and managers of various companies.

And she finds that this type of teaching is quite different from that of teaching younger people.

“Adult education is more than what people think. And so sometimes we teach and people cannot relate.

Teaching of adults is different to teaching younger people. Adults ► Contiuned

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come to classes with experiences. Often times we teach people and people only pass an exam and after then they cannot relate to any other thing.”

To address this issue, Mrs. Kippins said while at IDC, she has developed some of her own courses including “train the trainers” and the “psychology of adult learning.”

“In every regard, there is one problem: If you cannot teach them in a way to reflect on their own lives, it is difficult for them to understand the concepts.”

Not that she thinks she knows it all, but Mrs. Kippins has a passion for helping people to grow academically.

“And so this passion just developed and keeps developing. I like seeing people move from point A to point B. I am always helpful and

supportive.”

However, this does not stop her from being the plain-spoken and frank individuals that she is. “I don’t know how to be deceitful, and not everyone can really accept when you are frank and open.

But it is not a sign of disrespect in my view.

I think it’s letting people understand who you are and what are some of the things that will promote a better relationship. I have a

strong personality and a strong determination to get what I want, not to the extent that I have to mash anybody. I

XXIX have a lot of impatience with incompetence and stupid talk. It annoys me. I don’t have that kind of tolerance.”

Mrs. Kippins is married to Mr. Godfrey Kippins and her children are Mandisa and Ian.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016

Shade house cultivation being given prominence in Guyana For a number of years, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been encouraging farmers to incorporate new or modern technologies in their operations- one such technology is the shade house.

Crops grown under shaded conditions are protected from harsh weather conditions and have minimal exposure to pests and diseases. In fact, shade house cultivation could be farmers’ solution to the adverse effects climate change has on the environment.

Locally, some cash crop farmers have begun to invest in shade house cultivation. Recently, Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth and staff visited a farm in Canal No.2 Polder, West Bank Demerara, where shade house cultivation is being done one a large scale. The farm is owned

by Mr. Jagdeo Lakhan.

Setting up the Shade House In December 2015, Lakhan with the assistance of NAREI erected shade houses on his farm. The materials were procured by NAREI but, of course, the farmer footed the bill. NAREI provided the technical support during the con-

Head of cauliflower struction phase.

Constructing a shade house is simple. Important materials needed are mesh, plastic, wood and PVC pipes (for the automated sprinkler system). Generally, the beds are either raised or in the ground. The cost of investment depends on the size of the shade house. Planting crops under shaded conditions have been proven to be lucrative, however, farmers are advised to start small, Dr. Homenauth posited.

Collaboration with NAREI Lakhan’s shade houses are used sometimes by NAREI for demonstration and trial purposes. NAREI is currently utilizing two beds in one of the shade houses to conduct broccoli and cauliflower trials, as part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s crop diversification programme. These exotic crops do not grow in tropical regions and therefore need shaded conditions to strive.

They are being grown alongside beds of cabbages, which are being produced for commercial purposes. The same care and attention (such as daily irrigation and monitoring for pests) that are given to the cabbages are given to the trial crops. NAREI’s staff visit the farm regularly to monitor the trails.

CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES The noticeably high quality of crops in the shade houses vindicates the notion that green leafy vegetables grow well under shaded conditions. While, shade houses do not eliminate the spread of pests and diseases they do reduce the incidences. This is a major advantage over traditional farming, ► Contiuned on page XXXI

Chronicle Pepperpot June 19, 2016 ► From page XXX which is done in open fields. Traditional farming exposes crops to environmental changes such as extended dry periods, water stress, and pest and diseases.

Crops planted in the shade houses were not adversely affected by the effects of the recent El Nino period, said Narine Persaud, the farm manager. In fact, the construction of the shade houses was inspired by the prolonged dry period in 2015 that ended in April 2016.

He related that the crops are flourishing in the shade house. “The crops hardly get pests and so we do not have to use a lot of chemicals and this is a saving for us,” Persaud added.

Another financial benefit of shade house cultivation is low labour cost. Persaud explained that only one person is needed to turn on and off the sprinkler irrigation system. Moreover, little maintenance in terms of the clearing of weed is required.

Food Security Crops could be grown all year-round in shaded houses.

This is the ideal technology local farmers need to employ for Guyana to achieve food security. “…from the standpoint of the Institute the technology we develop must be transferred…And apart from developing the technology we measure our success from the adaption of the technology. Adaption means by adaption by farmers because it’s for their benefit,” Dr. Homenauth said.

The exterior of a shade house

Dr. Oudho Homenauth, CEO of NAREI looks at the crops being grown in the shade house

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Fun ways to make Environmental Connections this School Holiday

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s schools prepare to closetheir doors, if you are a parent, you are probably wonderingwhat you can do to keep your children gainfully occupied during the holidays.On the other hand, if you’re a student, you are probably just looking for something different and most of all fun and exciting to do, during the long awaited August holidays. Have no fear, this week we will share some great ideas to get you eager to go outdoors while at the same time keeping your entire circle busy,

entertained and educated.

Think about the Environment as your playground and take advantage of the good sunny weather that is usual during this time in Guyana. This is the perfect time to probably try, if not all, at least one of these activities.

VISITING AN ECO-RESORT OR ECO-LODGE If you’ve never visited an eco-resort or eco-lodge before, prepare to have an amazing time; if you have visited one, prepare to relive that exciting experience.

Eco-resorts or eco-lodgesare the perfect place to explore and learn about the natural environment in a fun and inspirational way. Here you have the opportunity to go cycling through nature trails, water skiing, kayaking, knee-boarding, and jet-skiing or playing fun games of beach volley ball or badminton. To cool down after, you can take a dip in the fresh water of the many surrounding creeks, lakes or riverscomplementing the nature experience. Many of these tours are guided by well-trained and educated professionals, so you will learn about the culture and rich history as well

of the environment. You will learn about what species are endemic to that particular area and how the environment and locals living there benefit from its protection and conservation.

PLANT A “VEGGIE”/FRUIT/FLOWER GARDEN Here is another fun and exciting way for both parents and children to bond and ► Continued on page XXXIII

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► From page XXXII learn about their environment while getting fit and eating healthier. Planting a “veggie” or fruit garden at home or in the community offers a number of benefits. Firstly, you will probably need to plant short-term crops if you are looking to do gardening just for the holidays. Crops like celery, shallot, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers are some great choices. Planting some of your own food will save your family money at the market or even a trip to the doctor.Gardening gives you a greater sense of appreciation when you reap the bounty of your efforts. You can use garden waste generated to make a compost heap to fertilize your garden, donate or sell to local farmers.

It is a simple but great way to turn unsightly land to attractive land space. You have the option of upcycling waste containers/tyres, as plant pots, trying hydroponics in a selected space in your yard or neighbourhood. The benefits of gardening are endless, try it this holiday.

GO CAMPING IN THE OUTDOORS Children these days just do not spend nearly as much time playing in the great outdoors as they used to a generation ago, especially with all of the exciting electronic devices like computers and video games which occupy their time.Grab a map, pack your tents, food stuff and some safety supplies and venture into the outdoors.A camping getaway can be a great way to unwind and reconnect with your family and the natural environment,especially if you’re a city dweller, regardless of your budget. Many people also find that they get better sleep in the fresh air away from the noise and bustle of the city. A good night’s sleep will lower stress and bene► Continued on page XXXV

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Fun ways to make Environmental Connections this School Holiday

â–ş From page XXXIII fit the immune system.Also, while you are camping you will likely to go swimming, hiking, canoeing and more.

Increasing your physical activity is incredibly beneficial for your health and will help you to lower your blood pressure, lose weight, improve circulation, and strengthen your muscles and much more.The peace and quiet and relaxing atmosphere of camping will also help to reduce your mental stress and enjoying the serenity of the great outdoors will make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated!Parents, if you are unable to make a family camp, enroll your children in one of the camps offered by various groups and organizations.

VOLUNTEER AT A NATURE CENTER If you have little or no knowledge about the environment and are eager to learn, this is a perfect opportunity this holiday. Volunteeringcan help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Volunteering can also help protect your mental and physical health. Here is an opportunity to learn more and interact with nature other than through books, the internet,and television. Guyana is known for its vast flora and fauna population, but how much of those have you ever seen? Nature centers are a safe and exciting way to be at one with nature while at the same time increasing your knowledge on nature and its many processes. This agreat way to get ready for your future â–ş Continued on page XXXVI

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Fun ways to make Environmental Connections this School Holiday ► From page XXXV career as a budding biologist and environmentalist, while at the same time sharing your knowledge with beginners.

These are just some of the many ideas and activities to do this holiday to keep you busy and informed about your environment and its many benefits. It will help you create memories to last a lifetime but most of all enable you to develop a greater appreciation for nature and the environment. We at the EPA will be happy to provide you with some more great tips and ideas to help you get started. Feel free to let us know what your experience was with these activities or call us to observe activities you planned.

Visit our Facebook page at Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana.

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.

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Bollywood Movie Review:

Udta Punjab For all the controversy surrounding this film and its print being leaked two days before release, the main talking point about “Udta Punjab” should be that it is, by far, one of the best-acted Bollywood films in the last few years. That alone is worth the price of your ticket, writes Shilpa Jamkhandikar (Reuters) In the dark of the night, a scooter splutters along a bumpy road. It stops and three men get off. One wears a sports jersey with ‘Pakistan’ printed on it and swivels his arms before flinging a packet across a barbed wire fence.

That packet lands in a field in India’s Punjab and sets into motion events that form the crux of Abhishek Chaubey‘s “Udta Punjab“.

In Chaubey’s film, it would seem such packets are raining down all over the state. This is not the Punjab that Bollywood has portrayed over the years — the land of yellow mustard fields, energetic dances and lively weddings. In this avatar, Punjab is engulfed in a drug-induced stupor. Teenagers slump around abandoned houses, surrounded by syringes and white paper.

Huge consignments of illegal substances make their way around the state with the complicit approval of a corrupt police force, while politicians distribute deadly drug cocktails as election favours.

Chaubey and co-writer Sudip Sharma are inspired by the narrative style in Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic“, and choose to highlight the rather prickly issue through four characters. Alia Bhattplays a Bihari migrant worker who finds the packet (mentioned above) in a field where she works for a pittance. She wants to sell it, hoping the money will help her escape her miserable existence. Tommy Singh (Shahid Kapoor) is a singer with the petulance and brains of a six-year-old. His songs and his life seem to be driven by drugs, before a sobering experience sets him on the path to redemption.

Diljit Dosanjh plays a police officer who thinks nothing of making money from the drug trade, blind to the fact that his younger brother is an addict.

Preet Sahani (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a doctor who runs a rehabilitation clinic, makes him see the light and together they set off on a mission to find those guilty of drug trafficking.

At 148 minutes and four character tracks to follow, the screenplay is overcrowded and resorts to contrivances in an attempt to resolve some issues.

“Udta Punjab” is at its heart a rather simplistic tale that doesn’t really have the time to delve into socio-economic factors that led to this crisis in the northern state.

If this film had lesser actors, it would have been a whole other story.

It is to the credit of the four actors and the ensemble cast that “Udta Punjab” is mostly a triumph. Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt deliver the performances of a lifetime. Bhatt sheds her skin to emerge as a freckled, troubled migrant girl desperate for a way out. Kapoor turns Tommy Singh into a tragi-comic character who is a “fuddu” (loser) masquerading as a macho, adrenaline-fuelled rock star. Dosanj and Khan are equally proficient and share an easy chemistry that makes their scenes a pleasure to watch.

For all the controversy surrounding this film and its print being leaked two days before release, the main talking point about “Udta Punjab” should be that it is, by far, one of the best-acted Bollywood films in the past few years. That alone is worth the price of your ticket.

Dhanak movie review:

Two winsome kids in ‘exotic Rajasthan’ make for a pleasant watch Dhanak movie review: It’s hard not to be moved by the two kids — Krish Chhabria and Hetal Gadda — and their heart-warming story, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor (Indian Express) A little boy, who has lost his eyesight, and his sister Pari set out across Rajasthan on foot. Their mission, spearheaded by Pari’s determination, is to restore Chhotu’s sight.

It’s hard not to be moved by these kids and their heart-warming story. Kukunoor clears the biggest hurdle by lucking into the right performers for his young pair — both the little boy (Krish Chhabria), a die-hard Salman Khan fan (he wears the agate-stone bracelet on a wrist just like his beloved Bhai) and the slightly older girl (Hetal Gadda), who plays the SRK-loving sister, make us believe that they are indeed, siblings.

If Chhotu had been asked to look straight ahead, instead of keeping his head constantly cocked to one side, and had been a little more loosened up while delivering his lines, it may have served the character better. But still, this is a real boy, and the interactions between the children lend the film real charm.

The other problem, and this is the bigger one, is exotic Rajasthan being peddled in the name of naturalism — the ‘leheriya safas’ are too pristine, the clothes are too ‘costumey’, the huts the children live in are too constructed, they look like sets. A female bandit who looks like she’s walked straight off It’s hard not to be moved by the two kids — Krish Chhabria and Hetal Gadda — and their heart-warming the ramp fiddles with a pretty pistol. The Rajasthani accents story, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor

are mixed up too, and really, not everyone has to have a “sa” added to their names. Blame it on those TV serials.

But Kukunoor should know better, because he has been in these parts before (remember Dor?). Fortunately for him, and for us, the children are winsome enough to keep us with the film, and while some of the characters are clunky, a couple do come off as funny as they are meant to — a ‘saadhvi’ (Vibha Chibber) with a painted face, who is obviously a fraud, is a hoot.

Then there’s the solo backpacker who’s walking around the globe for world peace. He’s white, of course, and wearing a splash of ‘baatik’, and working up to quite the stereotype when you hear him say his name out loud. And I am Douglas Adam (remember that name from The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy?) he says, and you laugh out loud.

These two make up, somewhat, for the Wicked Aunt, the Evil Pundit, the Noble-Hearted Merchant, the Wise Old Woman, and the Eccentric Man, all playing to type.

But Chhotu keeps the rhythm going. And the best tune comes from Hetal, who is an amazing little performer, displaying just the right beats, who doesn’t keep a foot wrong. She is the real star of this enterprise.

And, yes, there is a rainbow at the end.

Pixar dives back in the ocean for

'Finding Dory'

(Reuters) The forgetful blue fish who won hearts in Pixar's blockbuster animation "Finding Nemo" is going on another journey, this time to find her own origin story.

"Finding Dory," which opened this weekend picks up a year after the events of 2003's "Finding Nemo," and sees Dory, a chatty blue tang fish with shortterm memory loss, living in the peaceful ocean habitat alongside Nemo the clownfish and his father Marlin.

Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, suddenly begins remembering glimpses of her past and the parents she left behind in California, setting her off on a quest to be reunited with them.

Andrew Stanton, who returned to co-write and direct "Finding Dory," said he was inspired to explore Dory's story after re-watching "Finding Nemo" and realizing that the character "had a hole inside her and didn't know where she was from."

"She was apologizing still for her shortcoming that she thought she had for her short-term memory loss and she could easily forget Marlin and Nemo and not find them again. I felt that she was completely unresolved," Stanton said at a press briefing on the film.

"Finding Nemo" grossed more than $900 million worldwide and won an Oscar for best animated feature.

Pixar's "Finding Dory" is expected to open with around $115 million at the North American box office this weekend according to Variety, and is a strong awards contender for its owner, Walt Disney Co .

Unlike the rescue mission in "Finding Nemo," in which Nemo was captured and taken across the world as his father chased after him with the help of Dory, "Finding Dory" mostly takes place in the confines of a marine institute and introduces a host of new animal

(BBC) A judge has ordered Leonardo DiCaprio to testify in court in the case brought by an ex-stockbroker who alleges The Wolf of Wall Street depicted him as a "depraved" drug-fuelled criminal.

Andrew Greene claims the character Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff is based on him.

Mr Greene worked at Stratton Oakmont, the brokerage house founded by Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio.

The judge granted Mr Greene's motion to compel

a deposition in New York on Thursday, Hollywood Reporter said.

The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese, saw DiCaprio play real-life swindling stockbroker Belfort and was based on his memoirs.

Mr Greene is suing producers including Paramount Pictures, Red Granite Pictures, DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions and Sikelia Productions.

The character of Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff wore a toupee and was the subject of the

movie line "swear to God, I want to choke him to death".

He was played by PJ Byrne.

Mr Green said the film changed his nickname from "Wigwam" to "Rugrat," adding it spread untruths about him and that damages to his reputation were worth $15m (ÂŁ10.5m).

The claims were rejected, but a judge allowed the claimant to assert instead that the filmmakers maliciously libelled him.

Thursday's hearing, chaired by magistrate judge Steven Locke, overruled ar-

characters.

Dory finds friends in a grumpy but stealth Hank, an octopus missing a tentacle, the short-sighted whale Destiny and Fluke and Rudder, two goofy sea lions.

"We knew (Dory) was going to be from the Northern California coast, kind of early on," producer Lindsey Collins said at the event. "Once that was introduced, it was like, 'OK, now you have sea lions, now you have otters.'"

guments that DiCaprio's testimony only serves as harassment and coercion.

The defendants had argued Scorsese and screenwriter Terence Winter had already testified, and that the claimants had not stated why they needed DiCaprio to testify as he did not write the screenplay or play the character.

Mr Greene has said he worked at Stratton Oakmont between 1993 and 1996 as

the head of the firm's corporate finance department and a member of the board of directors.

He has also said he did not consent to his image, likeness and characterisation

being used in The Wolf of Wall Street.

The film was a major box office hit and was nominated for five Oscars, including best picture and best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio in 2014.

Grammys to include streaming-only songs (BBC) Songs released only on streaming services are to be eligible for Grammy nominations for the first time, as part of changes to the music awards' rules.

Recordings released on paid-subscription platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal will now qualify.

Nominees previously had to be available on a CD, or downloadable.

Grammy members will also vote in fewer categories, the Recording Academy announced.

The changes will come into force in time for next February's awards.

Bill Freimuth, the Academy's senior vice president of awards, said: "We noticed that there were a number of higher-profile artists who were choosing - for philosophical reasons as much as anything - to release their music through streaming-only, and we did not want to be exclusionary toward them."

Some musicians, including Prince and Beyonce, have released

debuts exclusively on Tidal, before then releasing them on iTunes and other platforms.

Grammy members will also have the number of categories they can vote in reduced from 20 to 15. However all members will still be able to vote in the top four categories: album of the year, song of the year, record of the year and best new artist.

Other changes include an update for the best new artist category.

Rules now allow a performer who releases at least five singles to qualify. Previously, acts had to release an album to be eligible. Acts can qualify for best new artist until they have released three albums or 30 singles.

This year's awards saw Taylor Swift's 1989 win the coveted album of the year award.

The singer - who is the first woman to win the award twice - also won best pop vocal album and best music video, for her track Bad Blood.

Taylor Swift won three awards at 2016's Grammys, including album of the year