HELLO, MI neighbour! Picture someone spewing this: 'Hey, badwud, badwud! Whey di badwud, badwud yuh nuh guh badwud wid yuh badwud?' (Apologies) Wow! Isn't that enough venom to wipe out a whole city?

No, no, no. Not from my lips. That was how a gentleman expressed himself when a neighbour who was gazing almost bumped into him. To make matters worse, this behaviour has gained popularity in our country.

Listen to me, 'bredren', for Heaven's sake, let's change our attitude to one another. Let me be explicit. Expletives expressed when under a little pressure have never made a bad situation better. Yes, many of us are touchy because things are tough and our coping skills are absent. But, goodness gracious, man! We are all flesh and blood! We all make mistakes. We foul up from time to time, but that doesn't give us licence to use foul language to one another!

Okay, that off my chest, here's what's on my mind. I am concerned that for the increasing number of neighbours seeking help through this column, there is not an equal number of neighbours calling to assist. Let's balance the thing, yes, we can. Whenever people open up themselves to ask for help, they become vulnerable and somewhat embarrassed, some even ask us not to mention their names. Think about that.

Think about this: when a three-year-old is crying for a little food and mummy and daddy can't find it, pride or no pride, they are going to reach out for help. Many of them detest the idea, but they are still asking. A few years ago, they were quite independent. They had their 9-to-5 jobs, which afforded them a reasonable standard of living. Now, due to circumstances, loss of job and all, they are turning to their neighbours for handouts, sorry for the expression.

May I remind us that the Creator placed enough resources on the Earth for all of us? Those who are more adept at garnering goods and services should assist those who are otherwise. We may all have the same basic needs - food, clothing, shelter - but the skills to meet these needs are lacking in some persons. No one should think that he or she has been empowered to acquire all these resources/possessions just to boas' off on others. There are some persons who are mental, social, physical and financial invalids, we must share with them. And guess what. Whatever we share with others, is multiplied back to us, a divine principle which works every time.

Because we are inextricably linked to one another (one body), it doesn't matter how much we eat, we will never be satisfied as long as someone somewhere in the world is hungry. May our consciences prick us to remember the needs of others today, some of which are listed below. And remember, no expletives, please!

To help, please call 334-8165, 884-3866, 299-3412 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; email helloneighbour@yahoo.com.

Neighbour, St Andrew, 79-year-old asking neighbours for a table.

Kelly, St Andrew, unemployed - asking for a serger to assist with income generation.

Neighbour, elderly - asking neighbours for help to fix her stove.

Ms Bailey, St Catherine, 75-year- old - suffered broken shoulder and unable to work - asking neighbours for assistance with food.

Neighbour, mother of four - needs a mattress.

Ms Janet, St Catherine, needs plywood.

Michael, St Catherine, minister of the Gospel and father of two needs a dresser and chest of drawers.

Eilene, St Andrew, got burnt out - badly in need of a stove and a refrigerator.

Andrea, Clarendon, unemployed mother of girls: ages 15, nine, seven have no clothing … cannot attend school - no money need help.

Thanks for helping

Gillian, Kingston, for connecting with disabled neighbour, who needs an igloo.

Mr Clarke, St Catherine, for offering food to a needy neighbour.

Neighbour, for offering TV for 11-year-old boy.

Helen, St Andrew, for offering a sewing machine to a needy neighbour.

Glen, New Jersey, USA, for offering clothing to needy families.