We all need good neighbours

HELLO MI neighbour! There is at least one community in Kingston, Jamaica (and there could be many) where the spirit of neighbourliness is working wonders. Excuse me, but this little 'paradise' shall remain anonymous lest bad-ways people decide to walk in and spoil it. Of significance, this spirit of neighbourliness was not a grant, but a cultivation of well-thinking neighbours over a period. People who understand the importance of neighbourliness to the well-being of humanity will raise an applause here.

The friendliness which characterises this community is felt even by visitors.

Community members are familiar with the names of everyone and even have pet names for one another.

A contributory factor to this beautiful atmosphere is their quick response to a neighbour's need. They watch each other's backs as though they were washing the feet of one another in a religious setting. This really makes one feel like shouting "Praise the Lord!"

To hear their morning greetings is a treat in itself. 'Howdidos' are usually bright and celebratory. Forgive the slight embellishment, but I can't help it!

In this model community, there are cases where neighbours have spare keys for one another. If clothes are left on the line and it's raining, one neighbour may just walk across, pick up clothing from line and place it in the neighbours' house. Say what? Yes, I know that could pass a fairy tale, but it is real!

In this community, even the vegetation seems to be positively affected by the spirit of neighbourliness. Flowers bloom all year round and are filled with delight to warm the heart and soothe the troubled mind. Wow!

Now over to us. It's my conviction that even with an ounce of effort and a reasonable amount of wisdom and patience, people can live well. Unfortunately, in some communities, it's 'hell and powder house'. Neighbours aren't familiar with the names of one another. Nor do they seek out the welfare of others. Instead, it's constant warfare. Sadly, the only verbal exchange at times is during a quarrel match. Ouch! Can you imagine?

 

MORE TO GAIN THAN LOSE

 

Before running out of space, yours truly implores you to cultivate a spirit of neighbour-liness in your communities as there is far more to gain than to lose. And please don't misunderstand me; you don't have to let everybody know your private business.

Before dropping my pen, a word to the wise and the otherwise: when the race to Jamaica House is over, one party will take the chair and the other will linger near. Whatever the outcome, let us remember that we are neighbours and Jamaica remains the winner.

And I must say a big thank you to the Rodneys for that lovely Sunday-morning breakfast recently. Nothing like a good Sunday-morning breakfast with good friends during a time of grief.

May the spirit of neighbour-liness move someone to help someone from the list below.

Be blessed!

 

Thanks for helping:

 

1. Faye, for offering hardcover books to children.

2. Neighbour, for donating hardcover exercise books.

3. Mr Clark, for offering sheet set to a neighbour.

4. Patricia, St Andrew, for new and used clothing.

5. Dawn, St Andrew, for offering a sewing machine to a needy neighbour.

6. Sheryne, St Catherine, for offering beds to neighbours.

 

Opportunities to help:

 

- Andrea, Clarendon, single mother asking for assistance with book list and uniforms for school.

- Christine, asking for a sewing machine - unemployed.

- Kirk, St Catherine, asking neighbours for a mattress.

- Patricia, St Thomas, single Christian young lady, asking for cement and steel to help set up a little dwelling place.

- Neighbour, single mother of three, asking for a stove and a mattress

- Sian, Hanover, asking for clothing for two-, five- and 12-year-old boys.

- Jennifer, reaching out to neighbours for help to purchase medication for eye - one is already blind.

- Donna, asking neighbours for help with books and uniforms for school.

- To help, please call Silton Townsend at 334-8165, 884-3866, 299-3412, deposit to acct # 351 044 276 NCB. (Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX) or send donations to Hello Neighbour c/o 53 Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 10 e-mail helloneighbour@yahoo.com.