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Hi neighbour! In this climate of diminishing financial power, back-to-school preparations have been a very traumatic experience for many parents and students. Still, some unemployed single parents have not yet purchased uniforms or books for their children, who are so anxious to return to school.

Can you help a student?

Over the last few weeks, hundreds of calls and letters from desperate mothers and grand-mothers, in search of back-to-school supplies, came into our office. In some instances, children themselves called, appealing that their mother "can't afford to send all of us to school and we don't know where our father is".

Those mothers have anywhere between four and six children attending school. How can you assist?

Let's spend less time condemning these parents for the 'fruit of their labour' and try to save a child or two from the same pitfall by helping them to get an education.

Many of these parents are aware of their legal obligation to school their offspring and are trying their best. But their best is just not good enough. Vending juices and snacks or doing 'day's work' once per week cannot secure sufficient funds to feed and educate the little ones. That is the reality.

I am told that some of these children attend school no more than two or three days per week, or none at all for several months. Over the last three weeks, dozens of these little children have been seen in various plazas, etc, selling trinkets or begging to help send themselves back to school. Some of them are dismissed, abused, misused or even used by cruel culprits in the process. The day of reckoning comes!

Where are the men?

Can anyone tell us where are many of the fathers at this time? Elsewhere, producing more children which they have no intention of caring for?

But really, what do some of these pregnancy facilitators think? Don't they realise they have a responsibility to provide for these children, whether or not they have active intimate relationships with their kids' mothers?

Come on, men! Play your part in the life of your children, especially at this time of the year! It's back-to-school!

As your neighbour, I encourage you to help the struggling mothers. That must be a priority on your list of obligations! These children must get an education. To do so, they must go to school. School takes uniforms, books, lunch money, transportation and school fees.

Step up, gentlemen, step up to the plate the same way you stepped up at the young woman's gate.

Thanks to the thousands of caring neighbours and organisations who have come on-board to help many of our children with their back-to-school challenges. Because of their input, many children returned to school on Monday clad in their uniforms, with books in bag and lunch money in their pockets.

I must pay special tribute to the dozens of neighbours who supported the back-to-school effort organised by this column. Many students received books, bags and uniforms.

Sharon, it was a real stroke of generosity on your part when you decided to pay the school fee for little Nadgia, who started school on Monday last. Thanks on behalf of the mother, who is unemployed, and did not have the first cent to pay the fee. May you never lack.

There are many potential scientists, preachers, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc, who may never get an education or contribute to the development of society if neighbours don't help to offset these costs. From all appearances, these realities will not change any time soon.

Fashion and entertainment, on which we spend so much time, energy and cash, are fleeting things which cannot build great nations. We suggest, therefore, that part of our entertainment and clothing budget be assigned to the education of our children.

Any takers?

Having read this article, please help us to realise our purpose by offering to assist one of these neighbours listed below. You will be better off for the deed of kindness.

To help, call 906-3167, 884-3866, 373-7745 or 299-3412; or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to help us with our financial obligations may make deposits to account 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank (bank-routing password: JNCBJMKX); or send donations to Hello Neighbour, c/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10.

Thanks to these neighbours

Pauline, St Catherine, for donating khaki uniforms to a neighbour for back-to-school.

Ms Lloyd, St Andrew, for offering a brand-new mattress to a needy neighbour.

Opal, St Catherine, for offering an entertainment centre to someone in need.

Dahlia, St Catherine, for offering literature books to a child.

Ms Cooper, St Catherine, for offering a literature book for back-to-school.

Ms Miller, St Catherine, for back-to-school books.

Ms Graham, St Catherine, for offering clothing to needy persons.

Ms Lodge, for donating clothing to a newborn babe.

Dianne, St Mary, for giving three pairs of pants and size 9 shoes to a needy male.

Opportunities to help other neighbours

Beverly, St Elizabeth: her daughter died, leaving five small children to care for. Needs children's clothing for church, as well as back-to-school help.

Mable, St Catherine, unemployed: asking neighbours for material to make sheets and curtains to assist children with back-to-school.

Annmarie, St Catherine: student nurse, requesting textbooks - even to borrow for a year.

Fitzroy, St James: paralysed from waist; needs a wheelchair.

Janet, Westmoreland: heart patient, mother of two girls, aged nine and 14. She needs bags, shoes and uniforms.

Marsha, Westmoreland, unemployed: needs clothing for four-year-old and nine-year-old boys.

Mr McDonald, St Catherine: needs khaki and shoes, sizes 7 and 8, for boys to wear to school.

Ms Pauline, St Catherine, 68: denture got broken and badly needs it to be replaced; has half the amount - $10,000 - for new denture.

Neighbour, St Andrew: single mother of two needs assistance.

Neighbour, Manchester: has a three-year-old daughter, Abigail, who has a learning disability; can't afford to send her to school for children with learning disabilities.

Ms Florence, asking for size 7¹/² shoes for boys.