There's no way neighbours should be living beside each other and not talking to each other! Not in these times. We must cast aside petty differences and rekindle the spirit of neighbourliness in the place.
I am speaking to the thousands of neighbours throughout this beautiful land of ours who are replacing community spirit and safety with the spirit of malice. To make matters worse, some of these neighbours who are in 'malice' with one another are deeply religious people who even worship at the same assembly and drink from the communion cup regularly. Shame on these individuals! Pshaw, man.
It's time for communities to get together and wrest their people from the throes of evil through prayer and fasting. And that's no joke! I see where some administrators have been invoking divine help as they seek to rid their schools of the lethal problem of violence. The health of all communities is dependent on the willingness of neighbours to be civil with one another and work together for the good of all. That makes a lot of sense.
Too much to lose
There is too much to lose when we are at daggers drawn. The negativism saps our energy and impairs our capacity to respond to emergencies in the community.
If you're angry with me and I'm angry with you, we won't have the desire to look out for neighbours or their children or even warn one another of impending danger. When parents in the neighbourhood are not on speaking terms, children are expected to do likewise. This confuses them because they want to play with one another.
Delores tells me she has no anxious moments about anything on the home front whenever she is away because her next-door neighbours, who are retired, are her greatest 'watchmen'. In her community everybody knows each other by name. Neighbours, there is no better guard than good neighbours.
What has been happening as result of information shared in this space weekly tells me a lot: (a) The world's most generous people are Jamaicans; (2) we do not have to wait on the Government or any organisation to give us the cue to be generous; (3) there is no greater satisfaction in giving than giving at a personal level.
Last week, I mentioned some of the challenges facing some of our neighbours and asked them to call us to lend a helping hand. Well, the results are very encouraging. This week, we say thanks to:
(1) Keshana, for offering to help Jason, who is a street person who needs a bed and a home.
(2) Mrs Vassell, St Thomas, for offering stroller and baby clothing to a young neighbour who is seven months pregnant and will be in need of these items.
(3) Pauline and Keshana, for helping a mother of six who is in need of second-hand furniture and clothing.
(4)
(5) Keshana, for extending herself to help two elderly males with food and clothing.
(6) Kadian, for giving a printer to Beverly, a student from St Andrew, who needed one.
(7) Shirley, for connecting with Miss Jennifer, whose children sleep on the floor and are in need of a bed.
(8) Ivet, for her willingness to assist a 29-year-old female neighbour who is need of appropriate clothing for church.
Remember: Nobody is expected to help everybody, but everybody is expected to help somebody. If everybody helps somebody, everybody will eventually receive help.
Volunteer your love by loving your neighbours as yourself and do something special for a neighbour today.
Silton Townsend, better known to Jamaicans as Maas Gussie, is an actor and charity activist.
Sandra Thompson (second left), acting manager of the St Catherine Credit Union, and Kerry Ann King-Douglas (centre), manager for small-business loans at the credit union, listen keenly to Michelle Brown-Drysdale (second right) of the Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors. Also in photo are Justin Champagnie (left) of the Spanish Town Lions Club and Lascelles Rambana of St Helen's Church. The credit union handed over funds totalling more than $80,000 to the various groups at its Spanish Town office last Wednesday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
CAN YOU HELP THESE NEIGHBOURS?
To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send email to neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to Acc # 351 044 276 at any National Commercial Bank.
Neighbour, St Catherine, was made redundant; now starting home day care - needs used crib and toys.
Mrs Bennett, St Elizabeth, seeking financial help for her husband who is sick and needs to do an MRI. The cost is $58,000.
Suzette, St Catherine, needs clothing, bottles or any item suited for a three-month-old boy. Also, asking neighbours for chicks and feed to support her effort to generate an income.
Tamara, seeking to make her sick mother a little more comfortable. Asking neighbours to assist with a second-hand TV and a dresser.
Mrs Robinson, St Andrew, needs zinc sheets for elderly father whose home was damaged by Tropical Storm Gustav.
Neighbour, St Thomas, has two sons attending UTech; seeking appropriate (inexpensive) boarding facility in St Andrew.
Bartons Primary, St Catherine. The school is in need of a sewing machine. Concerned teacher is asking for a donation.
Mr Wilson, Hanover, would like to operate his own pastry business. Asking neighbours to assist by donating a second-hand gas stove with an oven and a glass case to store the items.
Neighbour, separated from her abusive husband, now needs a job in Buff Bay or surrounding areas. She has three children to support; willing to work as an office attendant.
Unemployed parent's 14-year-old daughter is being teased at school because of rampant caries; seeking to have the problem fixed. Asking neighbours for financial assistance to remedy situation.
Thanks for prayers
(1) Rhons, St Catherine: Daughter in the USA had cancer of the blood. Her praying neighbour in Jamaica helped her receive miraculous healing. All the tests came back negative.
(2) Ms Christie, Manchester: Was completely blind in one eye and called her praying neighbour. She's now giving thanks that she can now see.
(3) Ruth, St Elizabeth: Was desperate for a job. After prayerful intervention, she got a job in the United States.
(4) Marcia, St James: Was facing critical financial problems and was in dire need of an urgent breakthrough. She's expressing gratitude that a praying neighbour helped her overcome struggles.
(5) Mrs Cameron, St Catherine: Her husband got a stroke and was unable to talk. He has made a remarkable turnaround and is now back at work!
They are saying thanks to Sisters Morgan, Rushton, Titus and Scott who are always praying for their neighbours.