The unpredictable turns that life takes

Hi, Neighbour!

This was Aunt Myrtle's admonition to her niece: "June, don't turn away people who need your help. You may have to turn to them when life takes a turn in the wrong direction."

June had a habit of scoffing at others because of their subsistence existence. In her opinion, she was not to be blamed for their predicament. Why then should they be of concern to her? And where were they when she was struggling to achieve personal financial independence?

"Wasting time!"

Ouch. Well, the time did come when life took a detour and landed June on the other side of the fence. Fortunately, Aunt Myrtle was always praying for her. A few persons rallied around her. That was a tough way to learn not to despise others because of differences in circumstances.

I have always felt that it is always better to be on the giving side than the wanting side. So whenever someone approaches me with a genuine need, I ask myself: "Which position would you have preferred, to be, the giver or the beggar?"

The answer always inspires me to give. Sometimes, I don't even wait to be asked. It is such a pleasure to give a $20 coin or moreto some of those boys who wipe windscreens at the traffic lights - whether or not they wipe mine (not encouraging slackness mark you).

I do not take the position that the money is used to secure drugs - most of them are much smarter than that. If you pause to engage them in a conversation, you will discover that some of them are sending their little brother or sister to school and even putting food on the table at home. You know the stories - father has either disappeared or died and mother is unemployed.

Big dreams

Rapping with these boys reveals that they are normal boys with big dreams of becoming pilots, astronauts, engineers, businessmen, etc. Many of them are afraid of the gun and will never touch it, for love or money. They would rather 'dead fi hungry'.

What can we do at the individual level to help these future leaders and professionals? If each of us would target even one of these boys, and even partially help him to realise his dream, our collective dream of seeing our country as the paradise of the Caribbean could begin taking shape.

I want to thank Ken Nelson for his invitation to the Washington Gardens Seventh-day Adventist Church last Saturday. The theme for the day was 'Steadfast Communicators - Conveying Hope, Influencing Change'.

Guest speaker Nigel Coke, communication director for the SDA movement here, reminded media practitioners of their power to transmit hope. People tend to believe what they read, see or hear from the media. He also made the point that with the advent of the Internet, almost everyone is made into an instant mass communicator.

We can communicate constructive or destructive messages. He challenged the young people to transmit messages that will influence others to live lives pleasing to their fellow man and to God.

Despite the power of technology, however, it is less powerful than the human touch, especially in a time of need. Speaking on a text from Luke chapter 13, Mr Coke invited his audience to identify with the poor and the downtrodden.

"If someone texts you to say that he or she is hungry, you should not text the person to say I am praying for you. Give him/her food." Lip service is no service!

Helping others

The fact that faith and works must go hand in hand was re-emphasised by the speaker, who encouraged those who are already involved in helping others to become more involved. Those sitting on the fence must jump into the fray. In the same breath, persons who have been teaching young people within the community to bake and sew as a path to self-reliance were commended for their contribution to development. His closing challenge was that everyone should "contemplate how you will assist someone today". Think a CD on the presentation may be available.

Well, I don't think that a representative from TARA Courier Services was at church last Saturday, but they really know how to demonstrate kindness. I must say a big thank-you to that company for picking up a back-to-school package from our Kingston office and delivering it to a parent in Manchester free of cost. How about making your day by making someone else's day today? See great opportunities listed below!

THANKS TO THESE NEIGHBOURS

1. Neighbour, St Elizabeth, offering two science books as part of back-to-school supplies.

2. Elaine, St Andrew, for donation of clothing for adults and children.

3. Ms Brown, St Andrew, for financial donation.

4. Margaret, St Andrew, for offering school uniforms to Bridgette's children.

5. Novelette, St Andrew, for donating a second-hand stove to a needy person.

6. Jackie, St Andrew, for offering a bed base.

7. Marie, for donation of clothing.

8. Neighbours who contributed to our back-to-school drive.

9. Ms Hinds, St Catherine, for donating khaki to Angela for back-to-school.

10. Marie, for donating five khaki suits.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBOURS

1. Bridgette, St Catherine, unable to work at this time because of a broken leg; asking for a mattress and help to send three children back to school.

2. Melissa of Manchester is in constant pain and needs to do root-canal surgery; asking neighbours to assist with cost, $45,000.

3. Monica, unemployed; trying to farm for a living. She is unable to purchase fertiliser, spray, and seeds.

4. Judith, a mother of six, Clarendon, planning to sell bag juice to help with children's welfare but needs a cooler.

5. Neighbour's son is just starting high school and in need of books: A Cow Called Boy, The Silver Sword and Bite In: Stage 1 Revised.

6. Shernette, St Catherine, has been having eye problems for last four years; difficulty seeing. She is mother of a six-year-old and a 10-year-old. They are badly in need of neighbours' help to purchase eyedrops.

7. Nadine, St Andrew, needs church clothing for 14-year-old girl and 18-year-old man.

8. Marlene, St Elizabeth, has serious circulation problems in leg; breaking out into sores. She experiences difficulty walking and needs to do an ultrasound but cannot afford the $10,000 bill.

9. Tamara, St Mary, unemployed: four-year-old son has frequent bowel movements. She went to several doctors but the problem remains. The child is scheduled to start school in September and needs diapers.

10. Neighbour, St Andrew, Wolmer's student needs second-hand books for second form.

11. Annemarie, Clarendon, sick and unable to work. Two daughters attending school; cannot afford to pay tuition. Children's father is absent; tuition $7,000 and $4,000.

To help, call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 299-3412; or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to help us with our financial obligations may make deposits to account 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank (bank-routing password: JNCBJMKX); or send donations to Hello Neighbour, c/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10.