Commentary

Helping those in need

By WANDEKA GAYLE, Staff Reporter

JAMAICA IS RENOWN for 'ginnalship', so much so that we think every person wearing nothing but rags and an expression of desperation, as the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing rather than being really unfortunate.

At one point or another, we have been conned of our hard-earned money until we can no longer see the meagre woman with one-year-old twins huddled on the sidewalk, or the boy in torn, blackened clothes propping up his chin with a thin wrist, and a hungry, hollow look in his eye.

The year 2003 saw more persons on the streets with outstretched hands and the perpetual, "Beg yuh sup'm dawta," or "Beg yuh a bus fare nuh" than ever before. Or so it seemed. With every step, one would almost stumble over a body clad in tattered clothing, sleeping on the sidewalk.

Street children came out in droves at stoplights, milling around malls, sleeping in cardboard boxes, selling bottles or just causing mischief.

One conclusion could be that life's overwhelming difficulties have finally caught up with many and others have simply thrown in the towel and have resorted to a life of ginnalship, laziness, and deceit.

Either way, the result is that society has become colder, purse strings are held tighter and true victims of poverty and demise grow weaker.

New year's resolutions centre around self betterment - losing weight, gaining weight, winning the LOTTO, owning a car, buying a house, and moving up the social ladder.

Rarely do people consider adopting a street urchin, donating food to a poor family, helping a woman living in a one-room home, or making an anonymous donation. Yet, those who do consider these problems rarely act on them using Jamaica's shattered economy as justification.

There are those who casually throw $10 into a blind man's cup for a clearer conscience but not to really help an individual in need. Many may argue that one person cannot make much of a difference in a world where beggers and the homeless are almost part of the backdrop. However, it is more the problem of not being aware of these problems than not having the means to assist.

Stories splatter the news pages of children going hungry, some with terminal illnesses or others dirt poor and abandoned and people showing their empty hands in protest. Ironically, at Christmas time they crowd stores and stand in long lines at the cashier with arms heaped high with merchandise.

The sad reality is that while LOTTO, Pick 3 and Lucky Five lines are growing, the large percentage of our suffering fellow men also increases.

For the next 361 days of this new year, look out at those who are genuinely in need, really see them, and brighten that corner where you are.