Laziness is our biggest problem - Pastor
Published:Thursday | October 1, 2015 | 12:00 AMOrantes Moore
t 29 years old, Seventh-day Adventist pastor and information technology (IT) expert Danielo Daniels is one of the youngest and most remarkable clergymen operating in St Mary.
The multifaceted minister loves working in the parish, but is concerned that adults in the seven communities where his churches are based - Annotto Bay, Islington, Robin's Bay, Rose End, Hampstead, Heywood Hall, and Esher - are failing to protect young girls from sexual predators.
Daniels told Family and Religion: "One thing I see that affects the communities is where men tend to seek after underaged girls. I would really like to see their minds shifted to ensure they see a child as somebody they need to nurture and take care of because, in the words of one popular singer (Tony Rebel), "that little girl could be the next prime minister or your doctor".
"I wish these men would leave the young ladies to reach their goals and recognise they are society's leaders and the ones who mother, father, sister, brother, and children are looking towards to make a difference.
"I'd like to have an intervention programme to help young women see beyond the next meal and having a baby. That is a major challenge in this area. People only see right here and now. They speak and live that way and don't consider next year or five years down the line."
Although Daniels insists sexual abuse of schoolgirls is prevalent in parts of the parish, he believes that, compared to paedophilia, dependency and laziness are far bigger problems.
HANDOUTMENTALITY
He explained: "Probably, the biggest challenge affecting the parish is the mentality of individuals who refuse to work but look forward to getting things from other individuals. I think that has been caused by politicians and how they have given things, and individuals always seem to try and get [things] from them.
"There are individuals who would have grown up seeing their parents working, but there is also a get-rich-quick mentality, so instead of going into the field to work, people say: 'Let me wait to find somebody who works, rob them and take what I want.'"
Daniels, who describes himself as 'a non-conventional minister', holds a degree in management information systems and runs several engagement programmes, including community meetings with family counsellors and a clothing-distribution project for struggling residents.
Computer science is clearly his passion, but after initially attempting to pursue a career in IT, Daniels decided to dedicate his life to ministry.
He said: "I went to college, did a degree, and thought my passion for ministry was something I could do outside, but a series of events took place, and I decided that I needed to continue with my lifelong dream of reaching out to people in the community through ministry.
"Entering into the ministry was not difficult, but there are individuals who have asked me many times: 'Why would [you] go into the ministry and you have so much potential in IT?' (laughs).
"I was recently asked to join a software company. I prayed, weighed the matter, and decided that what I am doing is more fulfilling than the money there can and will be in having a job in the IT industry, so ministry is not just a job for me, it's a lifestyle."