When David was six, his father took him to his workplace to give him a feel of the environment (good for children - think I was about 10 when my father took me to his - unforgettable experience). David was so inspired by the experience that by the end of the day, he had already decided on his lifelong profession.

Around the table that evening, little David announced, "When I grow up, I want to be a customer." Confused about his parents' laughter, he insisted on becoming a customer because at his father's workplace everybody was talking about 'customer' and working for his or her satisfaction. In his little mind, 'customer' was the title of a very outstanding individual. Why then would everyone be making such a fuss about pleasing the 'customer'?

Cannot survive

We may smile at David's childish thoughts but this youngster is really thinking. We feel important when we know that others are not just thinking about themselves but are also looking out for us. Business people know that they cannot survive without customers and will, therefore, do almost anything to please them.

What if we adopted the philosophy that we are all customers of one another and will not do well without the support of one another? We would certainly live to please one another. I think that was the point the master teacher, Jesus, was making when He said, "Love thy neighbour as thyself."

For the last 10 weeks, this little voice has been joining forces with others in calling our people to a higher plane than greed and selfishness. If you think you serve no useful purpose or have no value, just start looking around you. True happiness begins by loving God, loving yourself and loving your neighbour as yourself.

Last week, a neighbour decided to help someone in distress and who had no money to buy food for his family. Out of the little she had, she gave him $5,000. You may not believe this, less than half an hour later, a neighbour gave $30,000 to the neighbour who gave the $5,000, who was also in a bind. That same day the neighbour who gave the $30,000 received over $200,000 from an unexpected source - a debtor turned up to pay an amount which was almost forgotten. This is ample proof that there is a link between giving and receiving, hence our campaign.

Hello Mi Neighbour is written by social advocate Silton Townsend, better known for his role as Maas Gussie in the Jamaican comedy, 'Lime Tree Lane'.

Thanks to these helpful neighbours

1. Ms Allen and Ms Miller, St Andrew, for donating clothing to Ms Scott, mother of five whose need was recently highlighted.

2. Ms Beckford, St Andrew, for connecting with Karen and donating new clothing to her family who needed them.

3. Beverley, St Catherine, who has donated a bush cutter to a student who needed one to assist in generating an income to send himself to school.

4. Novie, St Andrew, for volunteering her time and energy in packaging clothing for neighbours in need.

5. To Ms Britton, St Andrew, and Janet, Portland, for donation of television sets to their neighbours.

6. Ms Daley, Montego Bay, for connecting with Ms Stevens in St Catherine who needed a styling chair to assist in her business effort.

7. To Dionne in Mandeville, for connecting with Karen who needed clothing and shoes for her eight-year-old son.

8. Mrs Lee, for rallying the support of her colleagues in meeting the needs of the caretaker of a three-week-old infant. The child was in desperate need of formula and diapers.

9. Ms B. Lewis, for offering clothing to assist the mother of five girls in St Elizabeth.

10. Ms Jones in St Andrew, who is offering two twin beds and a TV set to neighbours in need.