Hi neighbour! Breaking news! After 12 years of gestation in the "womb of my mind", this writer gave birth to a strong and bouncing idea by the name of 'Hello Neighbour'. Today we celebrate four years since it became flesh. Conception began 16 years ago while I was watching a group of well-intentioned Jamaicans demonstrating against a condition in their community. In the mix were pregnant mothers balancing babies on their hips while spitting fire from their lips. There were innocent children and grandmothers (some of whom were bearing upside-down placards with misspelt words). All this was complemented by little girls making 'monkey face' at the TV audience. In the midst of watching this fun-packed non-violent show I was jolted by the thought that we have been in trouble for a very long time and something must be done quickly. We were expending more energy on the maximisation of problems rather than their resolution.
Surging through my mind in those moments was a strong desire to remind Jamaicans of the importance of shifting one's mind from the enormity of the problem at hand, to zeroing in on the opportunities they offer.
Nicer set of people
I thought that if we all became our brother's keeper and loved our neighbours as ourselves, we could cultivate a nicer set of people. The spin-off: together we would solve all the problems of one another and truly show the world that "Jamaica, no problem".
Unfortunately, for approximately 12 years the idea lay dormant and was reignited at the dawn of 2005 with an even stronger passion that I could not ignore.
"It was like fire shut up in my bones."
My challenge was to get this idea in the public domain. Each stumbling block became a stepping stone with the help of the unseen hand that guided the process. After pushing and pushing and pushing and praying, on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, there was a brand new voice and a brand new programme on LOVE 101 FM called 'Hello Neighbour'. Hope came alive for thousands of Jamaicans who would benefit from this initiative. We started airing people's problems and other people started to respond with solutions. This was very encouraging.
Tangible solutions
Cutting to the chase, we are pleased to report today that, during our four-year existence through this initiative, hundreds of Jamaicans with special challenges have received tangible solutions from their "neighbours" who (in some instances) by virtue of their experiences, have been willing to help others. As relationships are forged among "neighbours", persons have been receiving assistance from one another in the form of clothing, food items, medication, lunch money and textbooks (for school children), sewing machines, beds, refrigerators, gas stoves, prayers, counselling, visits, etc, from their "neighbours".
Through this programme several persons have been given an opportunity to start small businesses which have now become their sources of income.
The Gleaner's agreement to help broaden the idea by publishing the Hello Mi Neighbour feature in its Wednesday publication since March 2009, has brought us a new day. There has been a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of persons receiving solutions through this project. Every day at least one neighbour experiences Christmas through our combined effort. Let's celebrate!
There seems to be no end to the number of good things that have been happening in Jamaica. Let's keep talking about them! Remember the 'Generosity Week' that was launched by the Seventh-day Adventists on November 1, 2009? Yes, man! I did mention it in this column about three weeks ago! The initiative bore much fruit which I will share with you later. Pastor Adrian Cotterell and his teams of generosity advocates visited many communities across the island and expressed generosity in some real, tangible ways. They visited infirmaries, golden age homes, children's homes, The Women's Crisis Centre, etc., where they distributed toiletries and lots of other goodies that continue to brighten the lives of these residents.
Congrats
High commendations are on the board for Suzette and other team members from the Software and Application Services and Support Unit of National Commercial Bank. After reading about Violet from eastern Jamaica, who had a damaged spine and was in need of a bed and other items, they decided to help reduce her discomfort. The generous group pooled their resources and procured a brand new bed with pillow cases and delivered same to her, along with supplies of groceries and cash, to tide her over until such time. Recognising, at their visit, that sustained assistance would be necessary, they intend to lend support for an undetermined period.
As we continue to pledge the love of our hearts, the wisdom and courage of our minds, the strength and vigour of our bodies in the service of our fellow citizens, remember to have a have a great 'neighbourday' and be generous to all!
To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send e-mail 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 Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing password: JNCBJMKX
Thanks to these neighbours
1. Enid, St Ann, for offering blue tunics to needy students.
2. Annemarie, for helping Fay, Manchester, with grade-six books for her child.
3. Maria (Giving & Gowning) for her willingness to help Kemesha, St Andrew.
4. Miss Parker, for offering a sewing machine to a neighbour who needs one to generate an income.
5. Wendy, Manchester, for offering to assist Grace, whose father suffered a stroke and is in need of diapers.
6. Estelle, St Catherine, for donating a second-hand refrigerator to a neighbour.
OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBOURS
1. Linnette: mother of eight, physically challenged; husband walked out on them, no support for children, asking neighbours for assistance re schooling of children; clothing needed also.
2. Lawson, St Ann: robbed of all his money; would like to purchase medication and food for diabetes but there is no money; asking for neighbours' assistance.
3. Stephanie, Manchester: newly converted, in need of clothing for church; also seeking a play-pen for a young child.
4. Doreen, St James: unemployed, asking neighbours for a second-hand stove; other house-hold items also.
5. Kim, Clarendon: mother of two young children, lives in a remote part of Clarendon; finding it difficult to fetch water on a regular basis, asking neighbours for assistance with a small tank
6. Mark and Samuel, brothers, ages seven and 11, St Andrew: in need of books and other school supplies; mother is in need and unable to fully support them at this time, father not supporting; appealing to neighbours for help.