Features – Page 98 – Guyana Times International

Aiming to revive the art of drumming

July 29, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Drumming in Guyana has been considered a dying art, but recently, many organisations have been collaborating to resuscitate an art form considered a vital part of Guyana’s cultural heritage. The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) with a grant of G$1M from the Cultural Centre of the IDB in Washington D.C., is collaborating with the donor organisation to revive drumming in Guyana. The drum is one of the central components of African culture, with Africans called the “Children of the Drum”. Africa is considered a “drum continent” because nowhere else…

Miss and Mr Guyana Talented Teen contestants revealed

July 29, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Eighteen young men and women were on last Sunday revealed to the public as contenders in the Miss and Mr Guyana Talented Teen pageants this year slated for September. This is the 12th edition of the Simpli Royal Miss Guyana Talented Teen Pageant and the introduction of the Mr Talented Teen contest is expected to be steamy- hot, based on the line up. The Miss Guyana Talented Teen contestants are Miss Cummingsburg Crystal Fraser, Miss Peter’s Hall Tiffany Bonner, Miss Enmore Chelsea France, Miss Liliendaal Riona Howell, Miss Plaisance Tiffany…

Essequibo girl defies all odds in becoming a medical doctor

July 29, 2013 TIMES INT'L

By Indrawattie Natram – As a small girl growing up in the indigenous environment of Capoey on the Essequibo Coast, Smolana Swan always had the vision to change things in her community and to become someone who serves people. Swan, as she acquired her early education, still was not sure what exactly she wanted to do; however, as she entered secondary school, she set her sights on becoming a medical doctor. After much persuasion, the young woman said it was her single mother, Magdalene Henry, who eventually nurtured her strength…

Political opposition or obstruction? – a perspective by Harry Gill (Part 1)

July 29, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The former British prime minister, the great Sir Winston Churchill once said, “The duty of the opposition is to oppose.” There is no doubt that to oppose is part of keeping the administration accountable for its actions. Ensuring checks and balances is fundamental to democracy. The opposition’s main role is to expose weaknesses in government policies and remain a vigilant watchdog over the action and inaction of the government by playing the oversight role: ensuring that the actions of government are in the best interest of the people. The two…

Guyana Fashion Weekend for August 4 launch

July 19, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The sixth edition of the Guyana Fashion Weekend (GFW) is set to take centre stage when it is launched on August 4 at the Herdmanston Lodge in an evening of jazz, fashion and art. The GFW 2013 designers and models will be introduced to the public in a special choreographed display put together by a very professional team. Food art at its best will be introduced by Kester Robinson, who attended Carnegie and was the first runner-up in ‘Cutting Style’ a few years ago at Duke Lodge. The culinary and…

Guyanese-born doctor receives prestigious Canadian award

July 19, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Overseas-based Guyanese Dr Narendra Singh, a pioneer in paediatrics locally and internationally, has been awarded for his significant contributions in providing outstanding patient care. He has been awarded the Prix d’excellence/Specialist of the Year, which was established to recognise Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in good standing, who have made significant contributions in providing outstanding patient care to their patients and the community in which they practice. The nominee must be a role model for excellence in patient care, and this is what Dr…

Making music Overseas-based Guyanese singer Maiko Watson is inspired by life

July 19, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Award winning singer/songwriter Maiko Watson brings a fresh take on soul music. The Guyanese artiste’s sweet vibes have earned her numerous awards and this has motivated her to continue to up her game in the music industry. Watson left Guyana when she was just a few months old. Growing up, as she continually learnt about her heritage she appreciated it even more. At age 13, she first returned to her homeland. Here she had many fond memories of meeting her cousins, since she and her sister did not have much…

Empowering youths to be leaders

July 19, 2013 TIMES INT'L

The Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), a non-profit, civil society, charitable body, focuses its resources on empowering young people and their communities to develop programmes and or actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. The CYEN programme aims at addressing issues like poverty alleviation and youth employment, health and HIV/AIDS, climatic changes and global warming, impact of natural disasters/hazards, improvement in potable water, conservation and waste management and other natural resource management issues. Viewing youth as an important and critical development resource, CYEN is dedicated to developing strategies to engage…

Star of the week: Alana Benjamin

July 19, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Guyana Times International ran into this stunningly gorgeous, international model at GUYEXPO 2013 (NY) a few days ago. Daughter of a proud Guyanese mother, the Trinidad and Tobago born model was part of the dynamic lineup of Guyanese designers; Sonia Noel and Gem Fraser, who jointly staged a high-octane fashion show in support of GUYEXPO 2013 on Saturday, June 29th, at the Queens College campus. Alana ripped the runway alongside Miss Guyana World 2012, Arti Cameron, and other models including Marieme Diop of Senegal, and Delven Adams of Guyana. This…

Guyanese launches jewellery line for women, children at GuyExpo in NY

July 12, 2013 TIMES INT'L

Former television journalist and founder of Janagems, Annalisa Bahadur, has launched her own line of jewellery for women and children. Last weekend, Annalisa participated in GuyExpo New York, where she displayed her handy creations and interacted with the Guyanese community. The jeweller’s work is strongly influenced by nature. Having been born and raised in a country rich with raw, beautiful nature, Annalisa is woven into a life bursting with nature’s beauty, evident in her one-of-a-kind designs. Infused in each hand-crafted piece is the colours of the Caribbean, its tropical paradise,…