Extending kindness, no matter what

Hi neighbour! "There is nothing great about ungratefulness!" shouted a motorist to a pedestrian who walked across the street with the word 'GREAT' printed on his T-shirt. She had just stopped her car to allow him to cross the street, and he did not acknowledge her. Depending on her mental strength, that motorist may swear never again to extend such courtesy, except at a pedestrian crossing. That would be so unfortunate!

Despite the number of times your deeds of kindness go unappreciated, never allow that to affect your duty and right to be kind. As a matter of fact, it's a little more than a duty or right - it's our perpetual mandate.

If we allow situations or circumstances to silence the spirit of neighbourliness, we are treading a dangerous path. It will be just a matter of time before the lifeblood of purposeful existence is cut off.

Every part of God's creation was made with the capacity to serve or to give. We look to the land and sea for food, clothing and shelter and they have never disappointed us. Speaking as a layman, it is also important to note that our motor vehicles, be it for air, land or sea, have all been made from natural deposits drawn from the earth.

For those who might not have read the Genesis account of creation, mankind also came out of the earth. Like the rest of creation, we were all made with the capacity to give or to help others. This capacity is enhanced when one acknowledges or develops a relationship with one's creator. The Salvation Army, Food For The Poor, Missionaries of the Poor and Mustard Seed Communities are organisations and ministries with enhanced capacities to help others. They are not motivated by money but by the needs of others. My understanding is that people who serve in these entities think more about what they can give rather than what they can receive.

People who are highly motivated to help others tend to make sacrifices which may go beyond normal human expectations. Many of them will even risk their own safety and freedom to be of assistance to others.

I once heard of a gentleman who offered to serve a prison term for his neighbour who had committed a crime. The neighbour was an older gentleman who found himself on the wrong side of the law while trying to eke out a living for his children. Assessing that the father's imprisonment would only serve to worsen the lot of the five children, as a single person with the heart of a neighbour, he made the noble offer to serve in his stead.

We may smile or smirk at the idea, but such is the operation of the spirit of neighbourliness. Allow that spirit to guide your thoughts as you go through the list of opportunities to show neighbourliness below

n Hello Mi Neighbour author, Silton Townsend, better known for his portrayal of 'Maas Gussie', is an actor and charity activist.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBOURS

1. Denton, crippled and unemployed: needs two batteries for his wheelchair.

2. Hortense, St Mary: asking for pieces of board and zinc to help fortify house which is rotting.

3. Millicent: needs a stove to help prepare meals for children at basic school - wood fire currently being used.

4. Ms Foster, St Andrew, asking neighbours for a wardrobe or a dresser.

5. Dahlia, single mother: asking neighbours for a second-hand industrial sewing machine to help generate an income for children.

6. Jasmin, St Elizabeth: fending for four children whose father was shot four years ago; would like to rear chickens to help with financial situation.

7. Andrew, St Andrew: very poor and unemployed, with three daughters to care for. He needs a job as a driver.

8. Gloria, St James: asking for size-26 female clothing to attend church.

9. Elizabeth, Manchester: unable to go out to work because son was hurt in an accident and cannot help himself; asking for an igloo to sell juices in the interim.

10. Tameika, Kingston: has kidney problems and is requesting help to cover cost of dialysis.

11. Ms McCalla, mother of four: trying to operate a small shop to help provide for her children. Shop needs to be restocked.

12. Jennifer, St Catherine: in need of clothing for nine-year-old girl.

THANKS TO THESE NEIGHBOURS

1. Kayan, St James: for offering twin beds and clothing to a neighbour in Montego Bay.

2. Ms Anderson, St Catherine: for offering a brand-new sewing machine to Beverly, who is physically challenged and needed one to help generate an income.

3. Neighbour: for offering clothing to a nine-year-old boy; needed for church and other social events.

4. Ann Marie, St Catherine: offering uniforms to a needy student.

5. Marvin: for donation of clothing to a needy neighbour.

6. Reverend Gordon, St Mary: for offering new and used children's clothing.

7. Ms Balfour, St Mary, for offer of financial assistance to neighbours.

8. Mr Young, St James, for his kind donation to needy neighbours.

To help, call 906-3167, 884-3866, 373-7745 or 299-3412; or email: neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will coordinate 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). You may also send donations to Hello Neighbour, c/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10.