2014 – Page 58 – Guyana Times International

Positive messages in art

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Using art as a catalyst of self-expression, young award-winning artist Courtney Mathium Douglas is well on his way to becoming known as one of Guyana’s most notable artistic minds. Born and raised in Bartica, Courtney obtained a Hinterland Scholarship (after graduating from secondary school as the Best Technical Student) to attend the E.R Burrowes School of Art in 2008. He graduated in 2011 with a diploma in Fine Arts and as Best Student in Painting, Drawing and Graphic Designs. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Courtney said, “Art…

A Trip on the “Baridi”

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

By The Hon. Vincent Roth Part 1 This is the story of my first trip to the bush thirty-seven years ago. It was to the Pomeroon River and I travelled in the government sloop “Baridi” which was used by Mr Michael McTurk, C.M.G., who was commissioner for the Pomeroon and Essequibo rivers. There were no other district commissioners at the time and Mr McTurk was given the post because no one else had so much knowledge about the interior of British Guiana as he, and this knowledge was very…

Berbice Centres Improving Lives

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Empowering youths and providing resources for academic success are the aims of the Smythfield Drop-In Centre and Vryman’s Erven Centre in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The centres from an adolescent-and-youth-friendly space, and offer non-residential vocational training for youths. At Smythfield, groups of youths up to age 20 that come from surrounding areas participate in short programmes done in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and other social organisations. The nature of these programmes requires no entry-level test; they are primarily practical courses done on a part-time basis. There are several organised social and…

Dr Sulan Fung: Empowered to be successful

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

A stellar achiever at a very young age and one of Guyana’s youngest dental surgeons, Dr. Sulan Fung aims to empower young women and spread awareness on her interest – maintaining a healthy mouth. Twenty-four-year-old Sulan began her scholastic career at Stella Maris Nursery at three years old. She later earned a place at Bishops’ High School where she received awards for best debater and best actress, along with elocution prizes. “I got prizes mostly in the line of literature and English – a talent I inherited from my mom.”…

Travel, Explore, Learn at Caiman House

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Rupununi research and conservation part of the highlights at Yupukari At the edge of Yupukari village in the Central Rupununi is Caiman House Field Station, a combination guest-lodge and education centre focused on research and conservation projects along the nearby Rupununi River. The Field Station is the hub of several participatory development projects, including the introduction of classroom libraries in all three village schools and an internet-enabled public library. Visitors have many opportunities to observe- or become involved with- the projects at Caiman House. A popular night time excursion allows…

Rupununi excels at Brazil Cultural Festival

January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Teamwork was a notable feature of the Guyanese team of artistes and artisans from the Rupununi, at a recently concluded cultural festival held in Brazil. During January 3-4, artists, crafts and foods from Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil were on show at the Three-Nation Fronteira Cultural Festival held in the Brazil town of Pacaraima, near the border with Venezuela. The event, which is organised by Social Service of Commerce (SESC), a hugely successful Brazilian social enterprise, is in its third year and growing in popularity due to its unique collaborative nature…

Fashion Forward

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Contemporary fashion designer Tyrone Nelson’s focus is to bring the future fashion world into today’s reality with his unique and creative ideas. Nelson, a business management graduate from UWI at Cave Hill Barbados, is CEO and fashion designer of English Duck International Designs (EDID), which he established and created in Oct. 2006. He has modelled in numerous shows in Barbados, including the Barbados Fashion Week, and copped two titles in two male pageants: Mr Ebony 2006 Barbados and Face of Shabeau 2007. The designer has a diploma in fashion from…

Surveillance cameras to be placed at markets in Guyana

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud said the ministry is moving to install surveillance cameras in municipalities and large markets. The cameras, he said will be under the control of the neighbourhood democratic councils. Persaud pointed out that cameras have already been installed at the Bartica Market, but did not give a timeframe when same will be done at other markets and municipalities. Closed-circuit cameras are universally used in supermarkets, banks and other places where business is frequently conducted. The cameras would not only serve as a deterrent…

Stronger action to be taken against persons squatting on gov’t reserves

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn has put errant persons on notice, declaring that all illegal structures on government’s reserves will be demolished. Speaking with Guyana Times International in a recent interview, Benn said “They either remove the stuff or we will come and move it,” noting that his ministry will be moving “aggressively”. His comments came following the end of a seven-year conflict between the Public Works Ministry and BM Soat over illegal structures on public land at Success, East Coast Demerara. Proprietor of BM Soat Bhashir Mohamed through his…

World-recognized Kayaker leaves Guyana’s shores after exciting visit

January 17, 2014 TIMES INT'L

World recognised kayaker Freya Hoffmeister departed Guyana’s shores last Thursday morning to continue her circumnavigation of South America. Only moments before her departure, the German business owner and athlete expressed excitement at the beginning of this leg of her journey. “This is the last leg of my circumnavigation of South America and I am going to start over after two months break at home over Christmas. I am ready to go and I am heading to Suriname, it will take six days to get to the border and then keep…