Wake up, everyone!

HELLO MI neighbour! Once it was, 'of the 24 hours in the day, we all need to sleep for eight, work for eight and use the other eight for miscellaneous activities'. However, it has long been established that not only do sleep needs differ among age groups, but among individuals. While someone may become most productive after a seven-hour night rest, another person may need nine hours of nightly sleep to be most productive. Will come back to that matter.

The question today is not whether people need to sleep longer or shorter hours, but whether they are waking up - conscious of the times. The older ones would remember a song made popular by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in the mid '70s which goes:

Wake up everybody

no more sleeping in bed

no more backward thinking,

time for thinking ahead ...

Like the '70s, many persons today are not only sleeping in bed. All faculties seem to be in deep sleep for all 24 hours. Wake up and be alert! Motorists, it's back-to-school time - more children are on the roads! Cut the reckless driving! Wake up and re-acquaint yourselves with the road code. Sharpen your judgement and know when to overtake! The world has changed

so very much

from what it used to be

there is so much hatred

war and poverty

And why? Our brothers and sisters have forgotten that we are part of one human family and that the resources in the world were intended for all of us. Those who think that they have more right to life and happiness than others and are denying others their fair share need to wake up! Sick, lame and lazy, you too must wake up!

As the new academic year begins, teachers are reminded that they have been entrusted with the responsibility to mould tomorrow's leaders, and that much more is required of them. So, wake up all the teachers

time to teach a new way

maybe then they'll listen

to what you have to say

And remember that

when you teach the children

teach them the very best you

can.

And listen to this people:

the world won't get no better

if we just let it be

the world won't get no better

we gotta change it...

you and me.

Wake up all the builders

time to build a new land

I know we can do it

if we all lend a hand

And for the Christians, popular gospel artiste Joan Flemmings reminds: all Christian people from all denominations, rise out a slumber,

pick up yuh Bible

gi the devil a war

this world is in crisis

no time fi niggeritis...

while the gun dem a roar,

them drawing snore.

Wake up everyone and help

someone!

Thanks to neighbours

1. Barbara, St Andrew, offering books for grades four, five and six leading up to Grade Six Achievement Test.

2. Resna, St Andrew, for donation of clothing and fabric.

3. Neighbour, St Andrew, for louver blades to a neighbour.

4. Claretta, St Catherine, for offering a bed and dresser to Sandra who has a physical disability.

5. Neighbour, for offering clothing to a needy neighbour.

Opportunities to help

Andrea, St Catherine, mother of children 17, 12, four and two in need of food, bags and books for back-to-school.

Nadia, St Andrew, needs grade five books for back-to-school.

Neighbour, single mother - two children in high-school, two in primary - need books, bags, help with school fees.

Sheryl, St Catherine, badly in need of help with back-to-school for nine & 13-year-old children.

Alverene, Manchester, mother of three. Needs help with back-to-school. GSAT books, also needs a walker and wheelchair for her mother.

Neighbour, son attending Caribbean Maritime Institute and needs financial assistance to continue.

Neighbour, son returning to university - needs an electric kettle, a TV and a fan.

Rose, St Andrew, asking for size 12 khaki.

To help, please call Silton Townsend at 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; e-mail helloneighbour@yahoo.com.