Let’s build communities this Labour Day

THE EDITOR, Sir:

As a concerned citizen in Montego Bay, I am calling on Jamaicans, particularly more young people, to become nationalistic and start to give voluntary service for the upliftment of the nation this upcoming Labour Day.

Volunteerism may be defined as the performance of formal services, social, or civil in nature, which benefit others or one's community without receiving any external rewards.

In other words, volunteerism is an extension of being a good neighbour transforming a collection of houses into a community, as the people become more involved in the improvement of their surroundings and choose to help others.

As a result, by caring and contributing to change, volunteers decrease suffering and inequality while they [volunteers] gain skills, self-esteem and also changes in their own lives.

As a people, if we reflect on the importance of putting serious work into Labour Day, we will understand that May 23 was officially selected to commemorate this special day when Jamaicans strongly indicated their desire to free themselves from colonial bondage and improve their communities.

Nevertheless, during this period of our history, more than ever, many more of our people, especially the younger generation, must be reminded of one of our familiar maxims: "Bread cast upon the water will return to sustain and strengthen the man or woman matter who is rendering more service and better service than he or she is paid or expected to do."

Valentine Pearson

valenempearson