Happy Independence tomorrow, my neighbour! Some Jamaicans take the national pledge very seriously.

When they say, "Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind ..." they mean every single word!

Let's take, for instance, a neighbour from St Elizabeth. She heard about a student who worked hard and was successful with her GSAT exams but wasn't sure if she would have entered high school in September because her parents did not have the wherewithal to prepare her.

This kind neighbour made a promise to assist the family with the school expenses, and kept her word. The student's medical has been paid for, books and uniforms bought, orientation done, all at the expense of this good Samaritan who promised that she would have helped!

Even though the undertaking left her almost penniless, she is thrilled to have helped a child with preparation for September morn! Her advice to neighbours is that they should commit to helping out some child with back-to-school funds.

"Even if you can't find the money right away, by some intervention you will find a way to keep your word." Why not try it and experience unexpected blessings in return!

Paul Blake is a neighbour whose "love and loyalty of heart" give meaning to the national pledge. This former entertainer and his wife, Dorrett, along with son, Stephen, have given up their normal activities to invest "the strength and vigour of (their) body in the service of (their) fellow citizens" who are living on the streets of Montego Bay. (See The Sunday Gleaner, 2/8/09)

The family of three is committed to give a "hope and a future" to some of society's rejects: the drugged out, the abandoned and people who simply have nowhere to live.

Paul, who shied away from these street persons for many years, said he has been called by God to minister to them. Even though the activity generates no income, the level of satisfaction generated from this venture is incomparable. As a result of this display of neighbourliness, sisters Lavern, Donna and Tasheika, who once lived a life of misguided recklessness, are now at "peace with their God" and their fellow citizens.

Income-generation

How can I forget Nadine Atkinson and her retired mother, Marva, from a St Elizabeth district called St Mary, who launched an organisation geared towards empowering neighbours. They strongly believe that this initiative will go a far way in developing the youths and providing income-generating opportunities through training and farming in some special areas.

Thanks to family members, relatives, well-wishers, the church and other caring neighbours from the community who have been lending support to these visionaries. For those who want to know why the couple does this, they are "motivated by love".

Make a pledge to make today better than yesterday!

Love your neighbour as yourself and you will never run out of good neighbours.

Thank you, neighbours

1. Ms Wright, for your commendation and willingness to help others through the Hello Mi Neighbour initiative.

2. S. Webster, Florida, USA, for his words of encouragement and willingness to help advance our cause.

3. Ms Tyrell, St Andrew, for financial contributions.

4. Ms Dennis, St Catherine, for donating clothing for female children and adults.

5. Marsha, for offering a brand-new two-burner gas stove to a neighbour in need.

6. Our neighbour in St James who is offering to bake a wedding cake free of cost for any neighbour in the parish who is getting married and needs assistance in this area.

7. Conrad, USA, for connecting with Ms Hopkins (St Andrew), who needed a fan.

8. Ms Samuels, USA, for offering to assist Mellissa (St Ann) who is in need.

9. Ms Osbourne, for offering a bed to a needy neighbour.

Opportunities to help neighbours

1. Lorna, Clarendon, suffering with a heart condition, and now needs to work from home. Asking for assistance with a sewing machine to make children's clothing.

2. Ms Black, St Catherine, needs a new pair of glasses; can't see anything with the existing ones and cannot afford one at this time.

3. Samantha, St Catherine, single mother of two with her own father to care for; asking neighbours for assistance with a sewing machine. Willing to purchase at a minimal cost.

4. Single mother of four children; was thrown out by her children's father; needs assistance as she tries to start over and is asking for assistance with a bed.

5. Simone, St Andrew, requesting assistance with a suitable bed for her mother who was seriously injured in a car accident in April 2009. Appealing to neighbours for assistance.

6. Annemarie, Westmoreland, wants to return to Bible school as she has been called by the Lord to preach the gospel. Requesting assistance with tuition fees.

7. Shirley, Westmoreland, lost her husband, the family breadwinner. Asking neighbours for assistance in setting up a fowl coop to help generate an income for her family.

8. Mother of seven, Manchester, abandoned by children's father. Seeking to provide for herself and family through chicken rearing. She has a coop but no chickens.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing ID JNCBJMKX.