Hello Mi Neighbour | Depressed because of life’s struggles

Hello, mi neighbour! Many of my callers complain of depression, and some are even suicidal. Life is tough. Bills are piling up and jobs are scarce, even as their savings whittle away. Some who have been thrown out by landlords or boyfriends have a little piece of land somewhere but cannot afford the first block for a little structure for children's sake.

Some callers are retired, elderly, sickly, tired and forsaken. They have nothing to contribute, so no one contributes to them readily. Such agony is ours to address.

I can never forget the gentleman who left an indelible mark on me as we conversed some years ago.

He said, "Sir, I am hungry. I am not asking for much. All I need is a little food to eat so that I can feel like a human being."

The words "that I can feel like a human being" touched my heart and made it difficult for me not to gather assistance for a brother. Whether or not he was lying was insignificant at the moment. Of greater concern was the effect the hunger was having on his body.

TONS OF FOOD GOING TO WASTE

How come so many persons die of starvation annually while over a billion tons of food go to waste globally? Who is responsible?

Are we all playing our part in ensuring that our neighbours, wherever they reside in our world, are fed?

Yes, we all think that's no business of ours, but let's think again. Farmers, manufacturers, producers, harvesters, processors, etc, play a very significant role in food provision, but many are not benefiting from this process by virtue of their social or financial standing.

This global crisis requires a global response, but there's no need to wait for the authorities to step in.

I am here to remind us all that amidst our personal difficulties (which must be addressed), we still have a responsibility to seek out the welfare of others. With this mindset, we'll have no difficulty showing kindness, displaying patience and demonstrating understanding to one another. Wherever these three are in operation, the 'royal law' to love your neighbour as yourself is fulfilled, and with this, much of the depression experienced by our sisters and brothers because of the lack of basic amenities will significantly diminish. And who wouldn't want to be a part of the solution?

Today, a child will not go to school because his parents cannot afford lunch or a uniform. What will become of that child? A senior citizen continues to suffer because she cannot afford medication. Will she suffer for the rest of her life? A couple is about to break up because they can no longer communicate. Will we allow that? Tonight, another child will be abused by an adult. Who will stand up for this child?

As we say thanks to some of our neighbours, who will assist those who are in need?

THANKS FOR HELPING

1. Everybody's Pharmacy - an act of kindness.

2. Miss Maitland, St Andrew, wants to help a female, 17-18 years old, with back to school, etc.

3. Francine, Westmoreland - offering a sewing machine.

4. Sister Nelson, St Catherine - offering a crib to a needy neighbour.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

- Neighbour - Asking for a sewing machine. Unemployed; needs it urgently.

- Lola, St Catherine - Neighbour in need of sewing machine and a single bed.

- Miss Adina, St Thomas - Asking for two doors and a stove on behalf of Miss Carmen.

- Karen - Mother of seven in need of a table and a refrigerator.

- Simone, St Catherine - Single mother asking for a dresser, a mattress and food.

- Mrs Laing, Clarendon - Asking for stove and food items.

- Neighbour - No money to purchase food and send children to school, asking for neighbours' help.

- Staci-Ann, St Catherine - Facing a serious accommodation crisis, needs a little piece of land to lease.

- To help, please call Silton Townsend at 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

Mr Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.