Hello Mi Neighbour | Jamaica, Land We Love'

Hello, mi neighbour! Oh that 'Jamaica, Land We Love' were the land where we loved. A sentiment shared by the majority but practised by the minority. Sad. Bob Marley's One Love, One Heart song is like a second national anthem on the lips of all, but 'many rivers to cross' to reach the heart. "Hear the children cryin' (One love!) Hear the children cryin' (One heart!), Sayin' give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right".

Many of our children are crying out for love instead of overdoses of brutality from people who have chosen to offer nothing more to them! These leaders of tomorrow yearn for mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, big brothers or sisters, children, politicians, and people everywhere who will show love to one another. We must pray!

"Eternal Father, bless our land,

Guide us with Thy mighty hand,

Keep us free from evil powers,

Be our light through countless hours."

We are also asking for more neighbours like Sister Amy of St Catherine, who is a giver at heart. Where some mothers with similar circumstances would be reaching out for help, this mother of seven reaches out with help. Even to deny herself food at times, others around must eat once they are hungry. Her grandmother, a source of inspiration once told her that she "should not hold on to food while people go to bed hungry". Her daughter, Edith and her six siblings now walk in her footsteps!

This neighbour believes that people should always give the best at all times - a far cry from what is practised by many persons today. For her, it is not whether people are deserving of her gifts, but whether it will make a positive difference in their lives. Often times, her children become upset with her for giving at every opportunity she gets, but she is never daunted because as a giver, a good saver, and an excellent tither at her church, she will never be in want!

 

PLEASURE IN GIVING

 

Happiest whenever she is on the giving side, Sister Amy takes pleasure in giving away even gifts from her children to anyone who may have a greater need for them, claiming that "freely receive, freely give". She is not the complaining type, who often makes mountains of molehills and will even borrow to meet the need of another person even though as a principle she doesn't borrow for herself. Rich in soul and overwhelmed with satisfaction, 76-year-old Sister Amy would never exchange her lifelong lifestyle of giving for anything.

And I must add a hip, hip, hooray for Sister Bel, who recently bought a sewing machine on hire purchase for a needy neighbour whom she doesn't know and may never meet. This is truly reflective of Jamaica, Land We Love.

Can we love and help someone from list below? Our generosity could make us rich!

 

THANKS FOR HELPING YOUR NEIGHBOURS

 

- Nerissa St Andrews, for act of kindness

- Neriah, for offering clothing for children

- Maxine, for a special deed of kindness

- Sister Bel, for purchasing a sewing machine for her needy neighbour

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR HELPING

 

- Neighbour: Mother of two babies needs help with food etc., no money ... mosquito net needed also.

- Tina, St Andrew: Sister got a stroke - in need of a hospital bed to facilitate home care.

- Q: Having a serious dental problem and in need of $8,000 to rectify.

- Crystal, Portland: Unemployed single mother asking for clothing for three-year-old girl and soon-to-be-born child.

- Delores, St Andrew: Physically challenged and in need of a bed and a refrigerator.

- To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 334-8165, 884-3866, or 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; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Or contact email helloneighbour@yahoo.com.