I know it's been a while since I last blogged. Before I move into the topics I want to discuss, I will update you on what I have been doing. I am now attending the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication at The University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. I started in August 2011 and I am in my final semester completing a diploma in Media and Communication. Print and Online Journalism is my major. Since, I have had many new experiences, most of which are different from what I am used to. I must say all of those experiences, have helped to shape and mould my outlook on life and has even changed the way I view some aspects of life. My final semester isn't that spectacular as the assignments are piling up and I struggle to manage my time effectively. However, I need to graduate with honours so the hard work is just a phase. So keep reading, I will be posting on trending topics and my experiences here in Jamaica for the time being. Thanks for stopping by!

WELCOME BACK 2012

I know it's been a while since I last blogged. Before I move into the topics I want to discuss, I will update you on what I have been doing. I am now attending the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication at The University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

I started in August 2011 and I am in my final semester completing a diploma in Media and Communication. Print and Online Journalism is my major. Since, I have had many new experiences, most of which are different from what I am used to.

I must say all of those experiences, have helped to shape and mould my outlook on life and has even changed the way I view some aspects of life.

My final semester isn't that spectacular as the assignments are piling up and I struggle to manage my time effectively. However, I need to graduate with honours so the hard work is just a phase.

So keep reading, I will be posting on trending topics and my experiences here in Jamaica for the time being.

Thanks for stopping by!

Two children perish in burning house

Caption: the charred remains of the children

Today the number of children deaths due to fire climbed from two to four. Two children from Dazell Housing Scheme perished in a modest one bedroom home. Fire officials suspect the fire was caused by a stove that was left on by the mother of the children. The mother has denied this.

Where is the truth?

 

Being a journalist does not mean I do not have my own opinions. The trade demands we be as unbalanced as possible and to write the facts. However, my blog is my avenue to deal with issues that seem to be revolving but not being solved.

My bone of contention this morning is with a story I read in one of the dailies. Excellent story covered from all angles. However what is wrong with it? My question in answer to that is “why does the Guyana Police Force seem to wait until people are executed to say that they were involved in criminal activities? A dead man could never defend his name and the truth could never be found.

This is not the first case. For the last couple of months, we had the Campbellville killing, the Cummings Lodge killing in which a toddler died among others. Only last week an Industry businessman was shot dead. Police said it was an execution style killing. The 31 year old man leaves behind a wife and six children.

Now pointing all this out, I would assume it would be better to send a man to jail than to leave his children fatherless. Is it better when society loses a member to death? What happened to being reformed? We give drug users the opportunity to go to rehab and reform their lives but why isn’t the same help extended to people involved in criminal activities?

Some people may want my head for those two last statements but they stand unapologetically. A good example of how that can be done is pursuing these suspicious elements and giving them a plea bargain. If they refuse, send them to jail, plain and simple than accusing a dead man. Remember, dead men tell no tales.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT

Over the last 72 hours there has been rainfall in excess of eight inches in Georgetown and outlying areas

President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development  Kellawan Lall, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and Transport and Hydraulics  Minister Robeson Benn are out assessing the situation.

"Our drainage system is functioning and 24 hours surveillance is being conducted to ensure maximum drainage.

We recognize that some homes of the city and outlying areas may have accumulated water."

For citizens who find themselves unable to occupy their homes because of the excess rainfall, the Government invites you to contact the Civil Defence Commission on telephone numbers  226 -8815, 226-1114, 226- 1117.
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TOURISM

I just passed Hope, East Coast Demerara and was surprised (pleasantly so), at a sign put up by either the Ministry of Tourism or the Ministry of Agriculture identifying the nesting place of Hope beach birds.

I have to say, passing there very often I'm mesmerized by the beauty of these white cranes sitting atop mangrove tree branches. That is a beautiful sight and it is good to see the Government taking action to protect our wildlife. In the past these birds although they are not eaten, would be stoned and their nesting place disturbed or some killed.

Tourism is very important to Guyana's economy even though it is not that exposed to the world. I was reading a blog post by one of the BBC staff who produced the documentary 'Guyana, lost land of the Jaguar' on Sunday. The explorers found different species of caterpillars, frogs and fish and it occurred to me how little I really know about these animals and even my country. The golden frog and the dart frog are very fascinating animals and it gave me a sense of pride when I saw Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad presenting wooden craft of the macaw and the golden frog to Captain David Owen of the SAGA Pearl II

The cruise ship docked in Guyana on Sunday with 328 UK based tourists and 268 crew members. The ship was magnificent and breathtaking. Immaculate from the lower floor to the deck, I was impressed.

Guyana is relatively unknown to the world. I had to suppress a laugh when I was in Miami a few weeks ago. I was in Dolphin Mall with a fellow St Lucian Journalist trying to get some shoes for her Fiancé when a local asked me what is my accent. I said 'Guyanese' but he looked at me puzzled and asked again "ghanaese?". I couldn't laugh although I wanted to. Imagine Ghana, a poor African country is more well known than Guyana?

I did point out my country is located in South America and that struck a bell. I hope fascination will lead people to see this beautiful country and I hope all Guyanese play a part in marketing 'the Land of many waters' like the many persons not connected to it are doing.
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