HI NEIGHBOUR! Permit me on this first Wednesday of 2010, to deviate from our usual path and place something on the table as a concerned neighbour. Thanks. Let me hit the nail on the head. The problem with most leaders, be they European, American, Caribbean or whatever, is that they always seem to have an 'axe or two to grind' or something to prove. As a result, seldom do they 'call a spade a spade'. They do not level with their people readily in fear of being seen as incompetent. After being elected to office, their tenure is spent trying to prove to the electorate that they made the right choice by electing them. They all want to go down in history as the greatest leaders.

Not criticising any particular leader. Praise them and you are friends for life. Because their ego is always at stake, they pick brilliant minds for their team to ensure that they do not fail. Despite their best efforts, however, after a few months or years in office, they get failing grades from various quarters. The nagging presence of social and economic problems always leads to their downfall. They don't seem to recognise that it takes more than human wisdom and effort to manage these problems. Let's face it, every Government has its fair share of crises to manage - and they must face it. Blaming the previous administrations never solves anything, only makes matters worse.

Spiralling out of control

Families are crying out for housing solutions. Communities are clamouring for security. The disenfranchised are crying out for justice. Workers demanding pay increases. Consumers are demonstrating against price increases. Crime and violence are spiralling. The world is changing rapidly. People are not as friendly and understanding as before. High-level meeting after high-level meeting produces little or no acceptable results. Roping in experts and consultants from overseas hardly seems to make a single dent in worsening problems. Aren't these conditions enough to make any government lose its mind? Any wonder why governments seem to do crazy things?

Having raised some issues and highlighted some challenges facing government leaders, as a good neighbour, it would be remiss of me not to offer a thought that can remedy the situation. Let's look briefly at some of the greatest leaders who ever lived and their secrets to success. Despite their shortcomings, bible history has shown that leaders like Moses, Joshua, King Solomon, King Asa and King Jehosaphat (leaders of Israel), were among the greatest leaders to have walked the face of this earth. They had nothing to prove personally - no axe to grind. They were men chosen by God to lead His people. Moses had an impediment of speech, but yet he was the voice of God to the people and was used to do the impossible - lead the Children of Israel across the Red Sea. Joshua was very courageous and won many battles on behalf of the children of Israel. At one time, the sun stood still to allow him sufficient time to defeat the enemy. King Solomon had extraordinary wisdom which helped him to withstand and conquer the enemies. At one time, King Asa and King Jehosaphat never had to lift a finger, yet hundreds of thousands of their enemies were wiped out in a few hours.

Spirit of humility

What did all these men have in common? Faith in God and a spirit of humility. Their light was not hid under a bushel nor their faith tucked away in their closet for personal use. As long as they prayed, whenever Israel came under siege by the enemies around, they could not be defeated. Not only did they pray, they called every citizen, from the youngest to the eldest, to join them. That was how they won their battles. Do we want to win the battle against our internal enemy - crime and violence? Let our leaders discard self-centeredness, egotism and pride and admit that, even with their best plans and best minds, things will continue to slide. Sounds simple, but herein lies our solution: The day our leaders call and lead this country in prayer and fasting is the day crime and violence, our number-one social problem, takes a nosedive.

Let's get back to the business of the neighbours, as we continue to ease the pain of one another at the personal level. Take advantage of opportunities to help someone today. You will be glad you did!

As you go through the New Year, remember to make good decisions; we hurt others when we hurt ourselves.

Have a great neighbourday!

Many thanks to the following neighbours who are helping and have helped their neighbours:

1 Charmaine, United Kingdom, for soliciting financial assistance from her friends and colleagues for Hello Mi Neighbour projects.

2Mr Kelly, St Andrew, for offering clothing for children and adults.

3 Lola, St Elizabeth, for assisting Sophia in the same parish with various items for her children after she suffered a misfortune.

4 Miss Robinson, St Andrew, for donating mattresses to Miss Francis to help with the comfort of her family.

5 Mrs Blake, St Andrew, for offering dresses, bed linen, and pillow cases to Miss Campbell, St Catherine.

6 Sister Nelson, St Andrew, for giving a bed base and other items to a fire victim, Kimone.

7 Tammy, St Andrew, for gift of clothing.

8 Miss Clayton, for donation of clothing dedicated to a needy neighbour.

9 Marcia, Florida, United States, for financial contribution to the Hello Mi Neighbour projects.

10 Lenworth for his offer of zinc and lumber for a needy neighbour.

Opportunities tohelp neighbours:

Sophia, desperately in need of a mattress, food and clothing for family.

Karen, St Catherine, in need of twinned pram and clothing for young child.

Keisha, Clarendon, unemployed mother of two asking neighbours for a bed.

Doreen, mother of two living in St James, unemployed and partially blind. In need of financial assistance to purchase medication for diabetes.

Claudia, St Andrew, mother of five, asking neighbours for a bed.

Margaret got burnt-out last November. Seeking a little piece of land to rebuild.

Beverly, Clarendon, unemployed and is seeking a four-burner gas stove with an oven to do a little baking for a living.

Patricia, asking neighbours for a bed. Presently sleeping on the floor with children.

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 Acct# 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX.