Hi Neighbour! What will you do about what you hear and even talk about today?

The majority will do nothing. Wish I were wrong. Some persons feel powerless in the face of the turbulence. Others just don't want to get involved - not their business. Really?

Why are we so reluctant to do anything about anything besides talk? There are two active ingredients at play here - fear and selfishness. Truth is, as we ask ourselves the selfish questions, things are getting from bad to worse for some of our fellow citizens. This means that there are no guarantees that things will continue to get better for the 'better-offs'. My advice: let us do all that we can to help one another. It's our primordial duty.

Most persons sub-consciously wish that they could do something about everything. Wishing can be terribly frustrating when one cannot see how he/she may make a difference. Breathe a sigh of relief! Opportunities to make a positive difference in the life of someone abound in this article today! So, not only will you be able to talk but you can act!

Many of our neighbours who read this column and seize the opportunity to reach out to someone else attain high levels of personal satisfaction. They are very grateful that we have been able to satisfy their burning desire to help others - be it an extra bed, a table or a sewing machine.

When Mrs McPherson from St Andrew read about a neighbour who needed a bed for her three children who were sleeping on the floor, not only was she touched, she was very excited. Here was an opportunity to be a blessing to someone. She has found a neighbour who needed the extra bed which she wanted to donate so badly. We facilitated the link-up and what a joy it was for those children when they hit the mattress that night!

There are thousands of neighbours just like Mrs McPherson who are anxious to provide tangible assistance for a neighbour or two but don't know where they are. Just ask us. Since the intro-duction of this column we have been privi-leged to connect over 200 givers with receivers. Persons have given stoves, sewing machines, clothing, accommodation, money, books, food, business opportunities, prayers and counselling.

We are asking persons to donate textbooks, exercise books, pencils, geometry sets, sketch pads or khaki uniforms to the Hello Mi Neighbour back-to-school drive. Pick up two of any item and donate one to us.

Give and it will come back to you, one way or another.

Silton Townsend, author of Hello Mi Neighbour, is better known for his role as Maas Gussie in the once-aired local comedy, 'Lime Tree Lane'.

Opportunities to help neighbours

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link. 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 ID is JNCBJMKX.

1. Dion, St Catherine, unemployed mother of a six-year-old girl who is having difficulty seeing from left eye. She's asking for assistance; father is also facing financial challenges.

2. Mrs Plummer, Manchester, a mother of four, including a 17-year-old in sixth form. She's requesting assistance in sending this specific student back to school.

3. Neighbour, Westmoreland, struggling to survive; asking for a second-hand sewing machine to help in generating an income.

4. Mrs Barrett needs to go overseas to undergo an expensive heart surgery.

5. Neighbour, separated from her husband and children, suffered a heart attack due to high stress levels. She's asking for help with a bed and stove.

6. Jacqueline, St Andrew, living on a dirt floor with her two small children. She's appealing for assistance in getting cement to pave the floor.