Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 November 1999 — Page 9

.FRPAY, NOVEMBER 5,1999

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A9

Committing suicide becoming too Common in Guyana

'By BERT WILKERSON

GEORGETOWN (IPS) - EaHier this month, police and revives of a 20-year-old inftrance company clerk found the^oung man’s lifeless body having from a rope in one of the bathrooms of the Guyana an^Trinidad Mutual Fire Instance Company Limited. Ifclice immediately ruled the deaffli yet another suicide and weife preparing to hand over the body to relatives for burial when Ttfaue Pedro’s father objected, deriianding a homicide investigation since his son’s body bore martcs of violence and one of his hahfls was tied behind his back. But, even as police are investigating the incident to de&rmine the real cause of death and as employees try to recover frdtti the shock, the fact that sujcide was assumed has turned attention to the fact that more and'more people seem to be ending their own lives, particularly in Berbice County in

eastern Guyana.

The Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce said it has become so concerned about suicide rates in the mainly agricultural and cattle-rearing reAon that it has asked the social sepices ministry to help it deal

with the problem.

The idea is for the state to make land available for the

construction of a shelter staffed

by tjualified counselors and social workers to assist those

suffering from severe depression

and who are viewed as most likely to commit suicide. *1t is a serious situation. We

haYfe asked the ministry either to

iflease the land or to acquire a

budding that can be converted to

a shelter, or to whatever they

will call it, and the minister has

reddily agreed,” said Ramditff <“^of coiidu Bhookmohan, a prominent ‘ ^ ’ gations.

Berbice businessman and key

figure in the Chamber. Observers say that never before in recent history has society paid so much attention to suicide, though it has been traditionally used by many Indo Guyanese as a way out of family feuds, matrimonial problems or to protest the waning practice of arranged marriages. Most of the victims have been between IS and 30 years of age. Between 1994 and 1997, there were 61 reported suicides, but for the first nine months of this year, some 81 persons chose to take their lives. Last year, there were 55 cases. The fact that many of the deaths are in areas dominated by IndoGuyanese has not escaped organizations purporting to represent the rights of the East Indian community. The Gurkha Newspaper, published by Rise, Organize and Rally (ROAR), a pressure group pushing the Bharrat Jagdeo administration to pay greater attention to the needs of Indians, who comprise 47 percent of the population, has been keeping the

issue alive.

“Evidence shows that Indians are more prone to become depressed than any other ethnic group,” the paper suggested in a

recent edition.

Sociologists at the University of Guyana say they are also paying close attention to the problem. One has even suggested that the university set up a professional counseling system to address the issue of suicide. Pedro’s death has also stirred up questions regarding police investigations and the new assumption that a death is caused by suicide instead of homicide. Many victims’ relatives, like Pedro’s father,

have publt

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Robin Run Village Apartment & Garden Homes * Adult Day Centre * Robin's Nest Child Care * Home Health Core Robin Run Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center • Alzheimer's Unit A long walking path circles the outer edge of the 70 rolling acres on Indianapolis 1 northwest side known as Robin Run Village. The lifestyle of this friendly community is enhanced by the several lakes for fishing, tennis courts, horseshoe pitching stakes and garden plots. Robin Run Village includes individually owned garden homes and apartment-style living. The huge apartment building • with its imposing clock tower, is the hub of the activity for the village. Several meeting rooms, a woodworking shop, indoor bowls, a library, general store, beauty parlor and bank are all conveniently located for all residents. Robin Run Village is a community of active persons who enjoy a variety of leisure time activites including a swim in the indoor pool, line dancing, exercising in the new fitness room, and activities in the quilting and sewing room. Entrance Fee - The Robin Run Difference Apartment residents pay an entrance fee with an important guarantee: When your apartment is vacated and reoccupied, 75% of the original entrance fee is returned to you or your estate. No other retirement community in Central Indiana makes that guarantee. In short, your retirement savings nest eggs can be preserved, regardless of how long you are a resident at Robin Run Village.

■mm

Monday - Friday . '9:00 a.m. T , £ 00 p.m. ^ Saturday. by appointment only Sunday —....... by appointment only

Traveling Museum visits School 87 The Traveling AfricanAmerican Museum was on display recently at George Washington Carver School 87, 2400 block of Indianapolis Avenue. The museum Includes more than 1,000 items as it seeks to arouse the curiosity of those who visit - challenging, motivating, encouraging and beckoning them to learn more about AfricanAmerican history. The museum is owned by Kenneth and Stephanie Hordge. Mrs. Ruthanne Adams is School 87 principal. (Recorderphoto by Curtis Guynn)

Let's be Neighbors at.

(317)293-5500 5354 West 62nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46268

* -i?-

IT- 1

Home Address _ City_

'J!

Sodal Security Number. *' Name of School

■ir

D. 1 Counselor's Name

MCDONALD’S ® BLACK HISTORY MAKERS OF TOMORROW APPLICATION • DIRECTIONS • 1. Responses to questions on this form must be printed in black ink or typed. 2. Submit applications to: Bandy • Carroll • Hellige Advertising • Bank One Center *111 Monument Circle, Suite #882 • Indianapolis, IN 46204 3. Application and essay must be postmarked no later than NOVEMBER 12,1999

•CANDIDATE INFORMATION*

Student's Name

State.

Telephone! )-

Date of Birth

Is your school public Junior year in high school?.

private.

Mailing Address, if different from above. School Address Telephone ( ) " Principal's Name _ parochial

•SURVEY QUESTIONS* Please respond to the following questions, if necessary, you may use additional 8 1/2' X11' pages to complete your answers 1. Describe the attributes that make you a good leader.

2. What Is the greatest obstacle you've had to overcome?

3. How do you cope with peer pressure?

_? Senior year in high school?.

What is your overall grade point average (GPA) (4.0 scale). From whom did you hear about this program?

. (5.0 scale if applicable).

•AcnvmES* Please list below your school activities, making note of all leadership positions, as well as awards and honors you have received. Community sendee Includes any time donated to community, church or other organizations (continue on another sheet If necessary). School Activities Grade (9/10/11/12) • Hours per week Leadership Role

Honors/Awards (Mease indicate year received)

Work Experience Employer

Position Held

Dates of Employment

Community Servke/Oiganizations

Duties

Dates

4. What is the best lesson you have learned from your parents/guardian?

5. What does success mean to you?

6. What are you currently doing to make an impact on Black history?

I do hereby certify that the Information provided Is correct to the best of my knowledge.

Student's Signature

Date

Parenfs/Cuardian's Signature

Date

When you apply yoursdf you're always a wbmer- i •PROGRAM OVERVIEW* Celebrating the contributions of the legendary Madame CJ. Walker Is the basis for the ’McDonald's Black History Makers of Tomorrow’ program Madame CJ. Walker had vtsioa drive, and determination but most of all she dared to dream, and that's what we want you to ted us about IHI us about Madame CJ Walker and how her dreams Impacted the African American community, the State of Indiana, the nation and you. The McDonald's Black History Makers of Tomorrow Program honors outstanding juniors and seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, character, scholarship and community service. Since It s Inception, hundreds of local high school students have been honored by local McDonalds owner/operators lor thetr participation. ■fUGUtUTY* The program Is open to high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate HJEADCRSHIP: Madame CJ. Walker was a leader THI us about your successes as a leader In school, church or community organizations •SCHOLARSHIP: Self-educated, Madame CJ. Walker excelled in English, science, and marketing If you have maintained a minimum ’C grade point average (2.5 on a 4.0 Kale) you are eligible to apply ■CHARACTBfc Madame CJ Walker was a trallblazer TfeH us how you motivate your peers by maintaining a positive attitude and exhibiting qualities of good citizenship •COMMUNITY StRVKfc Madame CJ. Walker helped to establish the first African American YMCA In Indianapolis. TM us how you spend your spare time to help those In need. Students murt ato submit •A completed *MKk Hbtory Maken of Thmorraur application, signed by the student and a parent/guardtan, «A 500-word, typed essay, fallow the application guidelines to prepare your essay, entitled *Madame CJ. MMker, Her Dreams, My Dreams the Dreams of the Rdure' and focus on the role you will play In Its development -An official transcript, -And a letter of recommendation ALL HAWWUSMUSTBt SUBMITTED TOGETHER IN MENWOPt POSTMARKED NO Utmi THAN NOVfMKR 121999 •ESSAY GUIDELINES* One ot the criteria for setectk^’McDonald's Black History Makers cri Tomorrow’Is your potenW to Impact Black history to the future '^ provide the selecticm committee with your thoughts on what wHI shape Black history to the future, submk an essay on the entitled. *Madanwa.M^ Orem: The Dreams of Ihe Mure.’The following guidelines wtil assist you with developing your essay: 1) Maximum essay length is 500 typeiwritten words Essay win not be returned 2) itour essay Is your personal view ot Madame a. Walkers impact on Black history In the future, no! a research pqrer on her historical events. The essay must also describe what role you win play In the development of Black history 3) While your essay must have relevance to African Americans overall you may focus on a topic of particular Interest to you. 4) Ybur essay will be Judged on. -Creative Content - Was a unique perspective or point of view utMied? <1010 Development-Was the Idea developed to Its fukest extent? Can the reader understand and appreciate your rationale? •Writing Style - Was your essay free from format spelling punctuation, grammatical and typographical errors? •AWARDS* The top ten Rudents whose essays are selected as winners will receive 51,000 scholarship. They wttl also have the opportunity to meet dexendants ot Madame CL Walker and hear from entrepreneurers and selHnade millionaires Rom Indiana. AdditlonaHy, winners and thetr families wkl be InWted to a private reception allhe inclana State House Rotunda where they will be honored by members of the McDonald's famHyl T9M - M9 MCDONALD'S BLACK HtSTDRV MAKERS OF TOMORROW WINNERS Rwryn Staton, Pike High School; WWam CaraA Marion High School Kristin ftorter-Nesbttt, Ben Oavts High School: Glenn Sandlfer, II, Lawrence Central Hgh School; Charles stanback, Jr, Cathedral High School: Amber Sue PetWord, Marion High School and Maya Ruffus, Kokomo High School