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Published by Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc.
Students from Buxton
continue to grab national
spotlight with brilliant ac-
ademic performances this
year. Just last month, 11-
year old Enkofi Moses of
Company Road Primary
School finished high
among the country’s top
1% at the National Grade
Six Assessment (NGSA)
exam and earned a covet-
ed place at the eminent
Queen’s College. This
month, 16-year old Samu-
el Haynes, who achieved
a similar feat at the NGSA
five years ago, emerged as
the top performer for
Queen’s College at the
Caribbean Secondary Edu-
cation Certificate (CSEC)
examination, held May-
June of this year. Across
the country, Samuel fin-
ished an impressive
fourth.
CXC - CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (CSEC) EXAM
BUXTONIAN TOPS FOR QC
BFE19-8
AUGUST 2019
BUXTON-FRIENDSHIP Express
Inside this issue:
Samuel Haynes: Outstand-
ing CSEC Performer
2
Stafford Griffith Heads
Antigua UWI Campus
3
High Schoolers Receive
Backpacks of Supplies
4
Children’s Art Camp
Scholarship Application
5
5
Wah dih Story seh?
PATRONAL a Nice Time
6
Buxton Museum Cele-
brates 1st Anniversary
10
Mrs. Booker Celebrates
97th Birthday
QB: Losing Your Soul
Obituaries
General Information
12
13
14
16
Samuel Haynes Q.C. top CSEC 2019 Student
Samuel Haynes achieved 18 Grade 1 passes, with
twelve distinctions (*), in the subjects he sat.
Additional Mathematics *
Agricultural Science (double major) *
Biology
Caribbean History
Chemistry *
Economics
Electronic Document Preparation & Management *
English A *
English B
Geography
Human & Social Biology *
Information Technology *
Integrated Science *
Mathematics *
Physical Education & Sport
Physics *
Social Studies
Spanish *
Congratulations to Samuel and his proud parents,
Anthony & Beverley Haynes! His achievement came as
no surprise to those who had a chance to meet this
brilliant young man from the heart of Buxton Backdam
Side.
Besides his outstanding performance at the 2014 Na-
tional Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exam, that same
year he led a Buxton team of incoming high schoolers
with an awe-inspiring performance to easily defeat a
mighty Plaisance team in the inter-village Emancipa-
tion Debating Competition. This year, Samuel returned
and participated in the Student Empowerment Work-
shop for incoming secondary school students. They
were encouraged by his motivational speech and de-
lighted to hear of his diligence and success.
Samuel plans to go on to Form Six at Queen’s Col-
lege, where he will major in natural sciences to obtain
an Associate’s degree. Best wishes to him on this next
phase of his academic journey!
1.Samuel Haynes, then 11 years old, poses with his Best Presenter trophy, won at the 2014 Emancipation Debate Competition 2. 2014 tour of Parliament Building, Samuel is seated in the Speaker’s chair second from left 3. Samuel presents student with backpack at this year’s Student Empowerment Workshop
SAMUEL HAYNES OUTSTANDING AT CSEC
Page 2 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
Guyanese Professor Stafford A. Griffith has been named as Inter-
im Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Five Islands Campus
of the University of the West Indies (UWI), located in Antigua and
Barbuda.
According to a report published by UWITV, the public information
and education service of the university, Professor Griffith will
lead the campus for its initial year of operation. His appointment
became effective as of August 15th, 2019 and is to last until July
31st, 2020.
In September, the Cam-pus is expected to welcome its first co-
hort of students. The UWITV report explained that it was estab-
lished to provide a development platform for Antigua and Barbu-
da and will also function as a hub for the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS) and serve to expand UWI’s regional ca-
pacity in the delivery of higher education for the 21st century. It is
to begin with three schools—the School of Health and Behaviour-
al Sciences, the School of Management, Sciences and Technolo-
gy, and the School of Humanities and Education. The report add-
ed that approval of the regional university’s newest campus was
announced by UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles,
during a media conference on June 26th, 2019.
Professor Griffith previously served as Regional Director of UWI’s
Office of Online Learning (OOL) since October 2017, Director of
UWI’s School of Education, and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Mona Campus from
August 2012 to September 2017. “He has spent more than 35 years of his career at the professional and senior
management levels in fields covering educational measurement and evaluation, programme planning and manage-
ment, curriculum development, and teaching, the report noted.
It further said Professor Griffith is the holder of a Professorial Chair in Research, Measurement and Evaluation
and his postgraduate qualifications consist of specialised study in research, measurement and evaluation, and cur-
riculum development. He also holds an LLB degree and has completed graduate studies in the areas of Political
Science and Development Studies.
In addition to academia, Professor Griffith’s career spans multiple roles, including Director of the USAID-funded
Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teacher Training (CCETT) headquartered at UWI’s Mona Campus, Pro-Registrar
of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), having previously served the Council as Assistant Registrar as well as
Head of a Project Unit; Consultant/National Coordinator of a World Bank and Ministry of Education Reform of Sec-
ondary Education (ROSE) Project, Jamaica; Director of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and
the UWI Institutional Strengthening Project; and Senior Education Project Manager of the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) Regional Development Office/Caribbean.
In addition, he has also served as a resource person in a number of regional and national curriculum develop-
ment, teacher training and measurement and evaluation activities, and as a consultant to a number of regional
and international institutions and organisations, including the Minis-try of Education (Guyana), the University of
Guyana, CXC, the Norman Manley Law School (Jamaica), the Eugene Dupuch Law School (The Bahamas), the Inter-
American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Educa-tional Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),
TECSULT International Limited (Montreal) and the Van Leer Foundation (Holland).
According to the report, Professor Griffith also boasts an impressive record of public service, research and schol-
arly work. He has served on a number of national boards, committees and commissions and currently serves as the
Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee of the CXC.
PROFESSOR STAFFORD GRIFFITH
HEAD OF NEW UWI ANTIGUA CAMPUS
Page 3
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
Professor Stafford Griffith
Ninety students who will commence their secondary school education
next month left this year’s Student Empowerment Workshop very happy,
having benefitted from helpful tips on approaching the new phase of their
education journey, and having received their backpacks filled with an as-
sortment of essential school supplies. The items include: Oxford English,
Spanish, Portuguese and French dictionaries; mathematics (geometry)
sets, scientific calculators, science loupes, binders, graph pads, composi-
tion books, spiral note books, folders, filler paper, pens, pencils, erasers,
sharpeners, rulers and notepads.
Sixty-four (64) of the students graduated from Friendship Primary School,
eighteen (18) from Company Road Primary, and eight (8) from Buxton Pri-
mary School. Outstanding CSEC performer, Samuel Haynes, a recipient of
the distribution five years ago, gave a pep talk to them, and later presented
each one with a backpack. St. Stanislaus College student, Atavia Harris, a
recipient of the 2017 distribution, also addressed the students and encour-
aged them to focus on their studies.
Thanks to Teachers Yolanda Stoby, Tricia Shortt and Abena Shortt for
doing the packing and organizing the workshop. You did a wonderful job!
We owe a debt of deep gratitude to Mr. Lyndon France for enduring great
difficulty in getting the items cleared through Customs for delivery to the
schools. To Ms. Cora Vasconcellos, we cannot thank you enough for your
donation of 600 composition books to this effort. And to all the other do-
nors and supporters, the children of Buxton and their parents join us in say-
ing ‘Thank You’ too.
This is a Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund yearly initiative which began in 2011.
READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Inside Story Headline
Page 4 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
One of the secondary school-bound stu-
dents receiving his backpack of school
supplies from Samuel Haynes
Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund is inviting students residing in the
Buxton/Friendship community to apply for tuition assistance to study
at the University of Guyana, or any select accredited tertiary institu-
tion in the country. Applicants must not be older than 19 years of
age by 31st December, 2019. Priority will be given to students who
demonstrate greater financial need.
To obtain an application form or additional information, please e-
mail your request to the Secretary, Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund
Submission deadline: 16th
September, 2019
Friendship Primary School. The classes covered
Drawing, Sketching, Application of Water Col-
ours, Washing and other artistic techniques.
The programme is organized and sponsored
by Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund in collabo-
ration with Friendship Primary School. Teacher
Yolanda Stoby was the co-ordinator this year.
Thanks to Buxton-born Maryland resident, Jonathan
Azore, for once again taking the time to share his
knowledge and expertise with children in Buxton, by
teaching them how to utilize their creative skills while
having some holiday fun!
The one-week art camp was held early this month at
CHILDREN’S ART CAMP
Page 5
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
Apply for Scholarship
A partial display of the children’s artwork at Friendship
Primary School.
All of a sudden, lil gyal who neva wash them hair steady,
Does do it with ochro leaf as shampoo and sweet soap.
Then them go to Ms. Springer and all them other madam a-village to get them hair press.
Dem madam slap in some good Vaseline in the hair so much, you can hear it frying till at Sharper shop.
Lil girls ginch from the heat of the hot grease and iron comb
So when the hair done, it style up with ribbon bow and pin curls.
They go home and dress up for Patronal that start, for lil children, around 2 o’clock
And teens and big people around 8.
Style fuh soooo. But is suh dem sweating and the suh
the hair turning back to the natural African texture. But never mind.
At Anglican school building, Labamba blasting
“John Jooooooones, Son of a Gun”
School flooring bouncing. Children in their best Sunday shoes stomping to the beat
The dance is the Strong Man. You got to run up your whole body forward
and curl it backward with the right hand-movement.
If you ain’t know how to do the strong man ask somebody.
Patronal mek plenty children know how to dance.
Fathers teach girls how to allow the boy to move them in the waltz
Boys learn how to hold the girl for the moves - without mashing her feet.
Mash-foot is thing that does mek lil boys get buss-off middle of the dance floor.
In them days, boys occupied one side of the schoolroom turned dance hall.
And girls on the other.
When the music start, boys walk over, curl-zing or walking macho.
Smelling of sweet cologne or pomade Vaseline.
He puts out his hand to the girl he desires to dance with.
It’s a joy to see the everyday rough and tumble boys transform into gentlemen
They extend their hands with a bow in such grace and care to girls.
If she desires to dance, she takes his hand and they move to the center of the dance floor.
Labamba blasting “Everybody was Kung-Fuh fighting”.
Everybody must dance.
You don’t want to go back to school with stigma that you bake pone.
“Bake pone” means that you did not get to dance with a girl!
Dah nah good thing. If it happen, you got to live through that whole year
And redeem yourself the next year! Dat is pressure worse than pressure cooker!
Ah ! Gyal! Outside under the mango trees are the ladies who display their culinary skills.
Ladies in colorful checkered aprons, monitor and strut besides long tables, with various of their most delightful,
delectable goodies and drinks
Ice-cream can churn out homemade ice-cream.
Children can’t eat fast enough to avoid the drip down their elbows.
Adults lick it off.
(Continued on page 7)
Patronal time a-nice, nice time! How Buxtonians End the Long Days of the August Holidays
Page 6 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
Cakes, ice-coconut bright pink and white, full of vanilla of lemon flavor
Ginger beer, mauby, and all manner of sweet drinks.
Some tables have their queen sellers like Miss Maizie and Ms. Song
They and others command their regulars to purchase tickets annually
Cash on delivery or trust—tickets must sell.
Every house either going to eat, or is making something to eat.
Children have to work and they do.
Patronal mek bad pickney tun good.
Leh me tell you once you see it start near time fuh patronal, pickney a-fetch one-set water.
Full up drum and bucket.
Wipe out, cook, cleanout fowl pen
Do wuk and nah grumble.
“You nah go none-way” are words to mek pickney cry bucket-full tears.
Hear nuh, some pickney who not even Anglican does beg dem mother to go.
Them can’t mek one mistake, or the words come out, “You nah guh a- patronal”
Is suh pickney cause trouble between sisters.
Dem run to them auntie, “Beg mammie fuh mih”
Auntie got to go beg and quarrel with she sister.
And when she beg fuh you, get good sense to go and come before night.
Or she waiting fuh you wid big-stick to cut yuh knot!
Ah bhai! Patronal is an industry
Harry and Sadoo shop a’ Vigilance sell out; flour, butter, and oil
Sharper a’ Friendship stock up
All dem dry goods store making money even a’ Annandale Village and Lusignan.
Backdam mango and coconut getting sold by anyone who ain’t even got bed deh.
Blackpudding ladies sell on the street corner; Sherman wid he channa,
All in service of the annual Patronal Party and Dance.
Your new Dan-Dan (dress) cloth come from Raj
Is the only new clothes you gone get for the year.
All them seamstresses and tailors a’ Bux’n stop sew school clothes to deliver Patronal clothes
Ms. Macrae, Sista Clara, Ms. Elsa, Ms Headly, Ms. Hamer, Tailors Baird and Phillip Roberts (Turkey) - all ah’dem can
look forward to good business!
Listen, Patronal does bring enemy.
Some people bag does be fuller than others
Some get toys like cheap Chinese crack-crack and whistle
All get cake but some got rainbow cake, some buns, drops, and nuts
People does get vex!
Especially when some sellers collect ticket-money and run out of
bag, but bad feelings don’t last long, there is the bake-over.
(Continued from page 6)
(Continued on page 8)
PATRONAL: How Buxtonians End the Long Days of the August Holidays
A Nice, Nice Time
Page 7
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
New cakes are made and delivered next day with apologies.
Patronal mek some people give children the only fun thing in their lives for the whole year, though.
They “make appearance” in nice shoes and clothes.
The rest of the year, they back in dem old clothes.
A family used to start school late just because their money got spent on Patronal gears and not school clothes and materials.
That the power of Patronal.
Patronal mek Buxtonians critics worse that runway fashion critics
“A wah she a-wear”
“Dah style nice”
“Ah-dih see duh cloth at Raj”
“Awww how, she too sweet?”
“Eh eh, look-koo them jutta pon footy boom boom”
“Puss in dih boots”
All this you can hear in commentary as patrons walk to the venue.
Nite time fete sweet. Oldies and waltz plenty; couples dancing and nobody bumping each other
Jump up music time come with Dih Boogle, and Dollar Wining
Burying ground all have role to play in dis Patronal
After all the wining-up, dem seh some people can’t mek to deh house
They got to finish the call of nature pon somebody tomb.
Burying ground sex a real thing, mih hear.
Dead people a watch! Who-know-know wah dih story seh!
Somebody Granny named Prettinella dih-seh
“When me dead, bury me under dah Komaka Tree,
Mih guh deh right up pon one branch Patronal day fuh watch a-yuh!”
Aahhhh! Patronal time all kind people does come a-village
Some children does come back from spending holidays in Linden,
Georgetown, and Berbice.
Dem bring back dem luggage AND dem cousins who longed to attend the
famed Patronal.
Then Dem seh, if you neva been to Patronal, you not a true Buxtonian.
Dah nah true! Even if you nevah been deh, you eat patronal cake, rusque,
and ting, from dih bag!
Patronal time a-nice nice time!
...By Dr. Pauline Baird
Contributions from Buxtonians: Lorna Campbell and Faye-Craig Henry
(Continued from page 7)
Patronal time a-nice, nice time! How Buxtonians End the Long Days of the August Holidays
Page 8 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
Page 9
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
Come & Have A Nice Time at the NY Patronal Dance Labor-Day Weekend
And Support A Great Cause
Proceeds will provide School Supplies, Education Enrichment
Programmes, Scholarships, Improved School facilities, and more...
BUXTON/FRIENDSHIP MUSEUM ARCHIVES & CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY Supported by Friends of Villages Museum & Archives Inc. (USA)
On August 4th 2019, the BUXTON/FRIENSDHIP MUSEUM ARCHIVES &CC, (BFMACC) culminated the celebration of
its First Anniversary with its Annual Fundraising Dinner and Dance under the theme “Recognizing the Richness of
our Villages” at the famous Tipperary Hall in Buxton, on the East Coast of Demerara. Tipperary Hall is part of the
villages’ history and the directors of BFMACC saw it fitting to hold its first dinner and dance there beginning with
our African Libation Ritual being performed by Bro. Deon Abrams, former Village chairman and host of Walter Rod-
ney Groundings. Mr. Abrams was also the Feature speaker at the Anniversary Program on Saturday August 3rd,
2019 which was a simple ceremony at the Museum and Archives Building at 35 Middle Street, Buxton. This event
was in the afternoon as published in the Guyana Chronicle, The Nations Paper, on Monday 5th, August 2019.
This memorable Dinner and Dance, which featured a packed hall that required the members to provide additional
seating accommodation was able to attract Buxtonians and other Guyanese from across the country along with
those visiting from overseas. This event was a welcome occasion. The food was catered by The Harper’s Catering
Service, while the Hall Service was performed by Mrs. Faye V. Hunte of Pisces Place. Our Mistress of Ceremonies
was Ms. Karen Dey, Secretary of (BFMACC). She opened the occasion by thanking the attendees for their presence,
while recognizing some members in the audience ; Founder Keith Easton , The Keynote Speaker Dr. Barbara P. Jo-
siah and her group, Mrs. Paulette Charles (Matriarch of Buxton)and her husband Mr. Clayton Charles, Mr. Malcolm
Parris, (retired Government Minister) and his group, BESAC and CIMBUX Inc. representatives, Dr. Leslie Carter and
The International Decade for People of African
Descent Assembly (IDPADA-G) The welcome of
our attendees cleared the way for the Found-
er’s message. Mr. Easton further welcomed Mr.
George Abrams, owner of Primo’s Garment Fac-
tory, Mr. Maurice Wilson owner of the Gas Sta-
tion in Buxton, Dr. David Hinds and representa-
tives of NCE Screen Printers Ltd who printed
our booklet. A part of his Message is stated
here. “This message is being supplemented by
our Thank You enclosed in our booklet. Tonight
is special as we celebrate and acknowledge our
One Year Anniversary of the opening of our Bux-
ton/ Friendship Museum Archives and Cultural
Center. What is unique about BFMACC is that it
is the first one of its kind in a village and ought
to be celebrated.
First, I must reflect on the reason and purpose
for us starting a Museum, Archives and Culture Center. Buxton / Friendship and surrounding villages as we all
know have a coveted history from our emancipation in 1838 to present. The contributions of our villagers in various
fields are worth preserving along with our various artifacts and documents which would over time would vanish un-
less preserved. As embodied in our Mission and Vision statements this is what we are all about.
We must note that the erection of the building that houses the Museum & Archives would not have been possible
without the legacy of my mother Yvonne Levi Easton whom the land came. Thanks to my brother Treon Simon, sis-
ters Crispine Thomas and Robin Simon-Mc Lennon who carried out her wishes. Thanks also to my wife Bernadette
Easton and family for all their support.”……Following the Founder’s speech, BFMACC’s newly elected President, Mr.
Ronald Willabus, also welcomed the audience, stated the names of the Board of Directors and ended his message
with the following:
(Continued on page 11)
MUSEUM CELEBRATES 1st ANNIVERSARY
Page 10 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
(1) Make the Museum user friendly.
(2)Make each of us see the museum as our own
property and not as a community project.
And last but not least to sustain the existence of
the Buxton/Friendship Museum Archives Culture
Center through fundraisers and sponsors. In conclu-
sion, I urge you to: Let us co-operate for Buxton.
The Keynote speaker’s bio. was read by Sis.
Yvette Herod, board member. The Keynote speaker
was Historian Dr. Barbara P. Josiah, Associate Pro-
fessor of history at John Jay College, (CUNY). Dr.
Barbara P. Josiah who was born in Georgetown,
Guyana, attended Dolphin's Government School,
Cambridge Academy and trained as a pharmacy
technician at Boots the Chemist, London. She returned to Guyana in the early 1970s. She migrated to the USA in
1982. In her opening remarks, Dr. Barbara P. Josiah, Historian, thanked the attendees for being present and the
Museum Founder, stating: “ Mr. Easton, a special thank you for inviting me to discourse on the value of ancestors’
legacies and to honor them on this memorable occasion. A gathering such as this—in this place--Tipperary Hall, with
its historical significance--commands the paying of homage to ancestors because, definitely, without them, there’s
no you or me. Ancestors’ legacies inspired Keith E. Easton, the founder and curator of Buxton Friendship Museum,
Archives, & Cultural Center (BFMA&CC) to foment the idea, utilize his time, bother everybody, and muster the ener-
gy to gather financial resources and artifacts to establish such a repository on his deceased mother, Yvonne Levi
Easton’s property. We must never forget that ancestors did the hard work, built, and sustained long-lasting econo-
mies across the Americas. We must also acknowledge that ancestors had long memories and never forgot some of
their basic and essential African cultural practices of cooperating and combining resources such as money and la-
bor for the greater good of purchasing and maintaining villages.”….She concluded her presentation by stating: “Ms.
Frieda inspired me to undertake my current research on the contributions of Caribbean and Guyanese graduates of
Howard University Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry. Of course, taking a prominent place in my forth-
coming book is Buxtonian Dr. Robert Louis Stevenson Baird. What better way to end this discourse than by quoting
another woman, African American poet, author, and scholar, Alice Walker, In Our Mothers Gardens. “We are a peo-
ple. And a people do not throw away their geniuses. And if they do…It is our duty as artists and witnesses to the fu-
ture…To pick them up…And if necessary…Bone by bone.” And exhibit them in the Buxton Friendship Museum, Ar-
chives, and Cultural Center”
Full presentation is being published in the BUXTON/FRIENSDHIP MUSEUM ARCHIVES & CC, (BFMACC) & Young
Visionaries Newsletter in Guyana. After her speech, a presentation of a picture of the Museum & Archives was
made by the Museum Staff - Bro. Askari Campbell and Sis. Tomica Headley. While the event was successful, public
feedback was requested and noted for improvement for next year’s event.
Thanks to all our Financial and Artifacts contributors, Sponsors and advertiser as shown in our booklet and the
Young Visionaries in attendance who had various parts to play at the event. Following the presentation attendees
were entertained and danced to the music of Determine Sound System and GENESIS One Man Band, while some
chose to meet and greet each other.
(Note: The Museum is only open Tuesday, Thursday (Friday) & Saturday, 1. pm- 5 pm.)
Prepared by Keith Easton for BFMACC, Founder/ President, Friends of Villages Museum & Archives Inc.
Input by Ms. Karen Dey, Secretary – BFMACC.
(Continued from page 10)
MUSEUM’S 1st
ANNIVERSARY
Page 11
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
Keith Easton (left) receiving a donation of a picture of the Founder of
the Negro Progress Convention & Buxton Scholarship, the late Hon.
E.F. Fredericks on behalf of the museum from Mr. Deon Abrams.
The happiest of birthday
wishes go out to Mrs. Lillian
Booker on reaching 97!
Scores of relatives and
friends joined her children,
grandchildren and great-
grands in honoring the ma-
triarch at a special celebra-
tion on Sunday, August 18th.
We extend best wishes and
prayers to her for many,
many more healthy and hap-
py earthstrong years.
Mrs. Lillian Booker surrounded by her children: Desiree,
Danette, Linden, Felix and Denise.
Mrs. Booker Celebrates 97th Birthday
Page 12 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
memories surfaced, I can recall that famous phrase,
“Et tu, Brute?” Caesar exhaled in surprise, “Even you,
Brutus, “ when he recognized the one he trusted the
most, Brutus, was the one who gave him the very last
stab to end his reign. My friends, you may not want
to read the book, but watch the movie; it would give
you some comfort and, definitely instruct you not to
put your trust in any man.
To say the least, this no-confidence state of affairs
was one where the height - the apex - of hypocrisy
played out in the most jaw-dropping and bizarre fash-
ion. Even those who were carping on the government
are now trying to make amends by overcompensating
with bogus support. Teacher George would say, “Boat
gwann ah falls ‘e cyan tun back.”
Apart from having a great big laugh at those who
returned to swallow up their vomit, I was mostly in
ambivalence to how this no-confidence fiasco unrav-
eled. I must say, at one point it was scary. Yes, I was
honestly mystified when one of my friends tried to
convince me that since the difference between 33
and 32 is one, then one has the same value as two
because the difference between two and one is only
one. I know my Lil ABC teacher, Teacher Julie, was
turning in her grave when she heard that upside-
down thinking. But, I also know, more than anything
else, she’s proud of me, not to fall prey to political
peer pressure. I tell you, this thing really exposed
some people’s vulnerability to stupidity. Their motiva-
tion to “stifle their conscience” and defy and deny
simple sums was nothing less than lying to self. I beg
you; don’t allow party politics to compromise those
basic values you learned in Sunday school, to the
point where you lose your soul.
...Quintin Bacchus, PhD
Let me say up front I am not a supporter of any political
party in Guyana since I am not living there – a position I
have taken in view of the fact that I left Guyana many years
ago. However, during those years, I have witnessed with
great grief how narrow-mindedness has demolished the hu-
manity in the political thinking of some good people. And for
the most part, this deep-seated animus has reached a point
where it has rotted the powers of reasoning. Those human
values that used to ground us and be our moral compass
have dissipated. The thinking of many is now manipulated
by Facebook, fiction and faulty reasoning, not facts and,
most certainly, not commonsense. What in the world has
happened to our faculty “for seeing things as they are, and
doing things as they ought to be done?” This dysfunctional
mess has poisoned our souls! Don’t get me wrong - the filth
is much more dreadful in these United States.
More and more, I am convinced there is a huge hole in the
consciousness of some of my people. The willingness to do,
and say anything to sustain political and tribal loyalty is un-
believable. Above all, I am sick and tired of the discourse
level – it is low and lawless, petty and pitiful. It has reached
a point where basic commonsense is no longer in use – po-
litical arrogance and ignorance is rampant and routine. God
-given wisdom is nowhere to be found. Those who we
thought had our backs have continually failed us. All they do
is make loud noise and empty promises. They have done
this over and over again. Believe you me; it is extremely dif-
ficult for many of us to continue to exercise tolerance for
this high level of schizophrenic, political hogwash.
More than ever, we are beginning to notice how the ac-
tions of one individual can instantly change the political
course of an entire nation. The recent no-confidence vote
was a great case in point. Every Guyanese is now con-
cerned. The reality is, come next few months, Guyanese will
know if they would be governed by APNU+AFC or PPP. They
will have to find expressions and solutions on how to con-
tend with this political mischief they were dragged into. The
good news is this political ordeal has made many Guyanese
wiser. I would go so far as to say that I know for sure, these
politicians would have learnt that power is not the same
when it is on shaky grounds.
For me, many profound thoughts came to mind as this
political tragedy, horribly unfolds. I remembered that old
African proverb: “When two elephants fight, the grass suf-
fers”. Let us not fool ourselves; poor ordinary Guyanese will
pay the price and feel the pain as these big shot, power-
hungry politicians fight it out. I also recollected a classic I
read many years ago, Julius Caesar. As those dreadful
LOSING YOUR SOUL
Page 13
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
The views expressed in this article are
those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of
Buxton-Friendship Express or its
publisher, Buxton-Friendship Heritage
Fund, Inc.
Merle Avery Jennifer DeLandro, née Simon, also known as Faye Simon, slipped into eternity on Friday, 9th
August, 2019 after a prolonged illness. A former resident of
Company Road, Friendship Front. she was 66 years old.
She was born on 20th October, 1952 to the late Jane and John
Albert Simon. She was the sister of Roxanne, Terry, Yonnette
(Sharon), Deon, and the late Camille and Johnny Simon.
Faye is survived by her three children – Lynika, Patrick, Jr. and
Jaysen, as well as six beloved grandchildren.
Her loss is also grieved by her adoring nieces and nephews -
Cassandra and Keisa Cesar; Cossette, Ruschelle and Laron
Charles; Ashley and Chauntel Willis; Nikesha, Nickel and Nicho-
las Simon; Devroy Simon; Matthew and Nicholas Winfield. She
also leaves to mourn a host of loving cousins and friends.
She received her elementary education at Friendship Government School, and was a faithful member of
St. Augustine’s Anglican Church and its Girl Guides’ troupe. She went to Tutorial High School, and subse-
quently graduated from the Guyana Technical Institute. Her working career was launched at the Ministry
of Information.
She emigrated to the United States in 1975, and paved the way for the rest of the family. After a brief
stay in Chicago, Illinois, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York where she spent her remaining years. After a
tenure with the investment giant, Merrill Lynch, she followed her passion for Nursing and worked as a
Certified Nursing Assistant until she retired in 2012.
Mrs. Thelma Dolphin, née Thomas took her angel wings
to reunite with her recently departed husband and former Anglican priest,
Canon Geoffrey H. Dolphin.
She was the mother of Geoffrey (Peter), Oscar, Mary, Henry, John and
Mark; grandmother and great-grandmother of many.
She leaves behind, her brother - Dr. Reuben Thomas of the United King-
dom and sister - Stella Porter to mourn her loss.
The life of the late Mrs. Thelma Dolphin was celebrated with a funeral
mass at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church. She was laid to rest on 13th Au-
gust, 2019 in the church cemetery.
Obituaries
Neville Mortimer Phillips, also called Femmie, formerly of
Friendship, passed away on 15th
August, 2019 in London, England, at
the age of 85.
He was born on 2nd
January, 1934 to the late Wilfred and Pearl
Phillips. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Phillips, née Abrams, and
three children - Donna, Hutton and Andrea.
Page 14 Buxton-Friendship Express August 2019
We also join the immediate families in morning the loss of all
other Buxtonians who recently left us, including:
Reginald Grenada, 12th
October, 2019 in the United
Kingdom. He was 83. Jean Laing, U.K. Dolsey Sam, Canada
Basil Wallace, Buxton
Muriel Telford, née Butts, also called Teacher
Ruby, passed away peacefully on 28th
August in Maryland,
USA. She was 93. She was the mother of Lynette, Frankie, Cherryl,
Desiree, and the late Judy and Bertie Telford. She also leaves to
mourn her loss several grandchildren, great-grands; siblings - Olive
Answick, Norma Peters and Arthur Butts; many nieces, nephews
and cousins.
Ulric Wilson, also called Haile Selassie, 23rd Au-
gust, 2019; Buxton
Allan Trevor Griffith, former resident of South Sophia and
son of the late Yvette Simon-Griffith
and Revlon Griffith. He died on 9th
August at the Georgetown Public Hos-
pital.
He was the grandson of Patrick
Simon and the late Hyacinth So-
bers-Ridley; nephew of Ingrid,
Faye, Joy, Janice, Edol, Orain,
Leroy, Malcolm, Anthea, Tonie,
Burchmore and Bobby Simon, the
late Lennox, Eric and Rudolph
Ridley.
He is survived by four siblings -
Tiona Allicock, Osvena Chung,
Sherwin and Charles Griffith; sev-
eral nieces and nephews. He was
predeceased by two brothers -
Ray and Kord.
He also leaves to mourn mem-
bers of the Griffith, Simon, Ridley
and Laundry families.
His interment took place on 20th
August at the Buxton Cemetery.
Michael Ageda, Sr., passed away
peacefully on 18th
August, 2019 at his former
home - Lot 70 Friendship .
He was born on 3rd
September, 1944 to the
late Agnes and Victor Ageda. He was the be-
loved husband of Maureen, and is survived by
their children - Michael, Jr., Mark and Marlon.
Michael also leaves to mourn his loss, his
siblings, Ena and Victor Ageda.
Obituaries
Maurice Michael Peters, also called “Kusa” and
“Daddy”. An ex-police officer, he was a former resident of Annan-
dale. Maurice departed this life on 10th August, at the age of 79.
He is survived by his wife Ula Peters; children - Marleyne Hilliman,
Shevon Robinson, Arlyn Peters, Esse Peters, Clement Knights and
Patricia Peters; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Maurice was born on 14th February, 1940 to the late Charlotte
and Samuel Peters. He was laid to rest at the Golden Grove Ceme-
tery on 18th August.
Page 15
August 2019 Buxton-Friendship Express
Make a tax-deductible donation to Bux-
ton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc. and
you will be helping to provide better op-
portunities for educational develop-
ment, health and social improvement in
Buxton/Friendship. Give what you can
afford. No amount is too small.
The Fund is a registered charitable or-
ganisation with the U.S. IRS, under tax
code 501(c)3. Make your cheque/money
order payable to BUXTON-FRIENDSHIP
HERITAGE FUND, and send it to 454 Ver-
mont Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207.
Published by Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc.
BUXTON: Guyana’s Premier Village
E-mail US:
Buxton-Friendship Express * August 2019
WRITERS
Lorna Campbell Dr. Pauline F. Baird
Editors
Dr. Quintin Bacchus
Lorna Campbell
BETTER EDUCATION & HEALTH
