A helping hand....

[Batty_gyal]

So lately I've been really counting my blessings. Some tight finances, and a whole heap of stories and realizations have got me rethinking about how much I take for granted.

My husband tells me about when his daughter was born...how he struggled to feed her and the baby's mother...and its a horrifying story...but probably oh so normal for many people in this world!! I always see pictures of people forum members meet that touch them, and I hear stories of things people have encountered, gone through, or know someone whose gone through.

I wonder how many people really care about the struggles of others in this world...and how many just feel " it's sad, but thank the Lord it's not me"!!?

Or how many people say " thank the lord its not me, count my blessings" but never think of ways they might help ease the sufferings of others.

Its obvious none of us have the power to save the world...but I'm sure there is always small ways we can all help..even if we are just easing the struggles of one person who really deserves the help.

What are some ways you help others..whether its giving to a charity..taking down school supplies to Jamaica etc???/

And another question on that topic...I know people who travel to Jamaica and think they are God's gift to the Island...and are not afraid to tell others that they think they do more for the island than anyone else!! I also know people who are there strictly for vacation and can't be bothered. I know people who start out with good intentions and then find excuses to quit after the excitment of the idea fades. And I know people who do great things for others and I admire that they are caring and insightful people.

My biggest pet peeve is people who decend on Jamaica all " I'm foreign and have money and LOOOK what I can do for you". I find it so disrespectful...as if they think they are better because they work probably not even half as hard as a local Jamaican and make ten times the money!! I hate people who decend on Jamaica with the " its a third world poverty country" pity attitude...it infuriates me. I think you have to remember that everyone has pride and that attitude would be highly offensive. There are people of every financial status there...just so happens there is a large population of poor people.

Anyways off my soapbox to my question...What are ways you guys think you can help others in Jamaica specifically..good ways...not paying your island boys way through life...but also the kids and elderly...people who probably could really use a little help here and there!!??? What are ways others have found to help?? Living there I'd like to do little things for people...bring things down when I come..but I don't want to offend or come across like I think I'm better because I've been blessed with oppurtunities not every country has!

[ECO]

I'm mixed on this whole topic. Before reading the stats in the Washington post about the percentage and number of educated people that leave Jamaica every year I would say pour the effort into the kids. It's always been said that the kids are the future for a country but if they leave for the UK, CA and the states how much good are they doing for Jamaica?

While feeding hungry people might make everyone feel good for a day I think longer term ways of providing the hungry with food are a better way. For example, buying them chickens & goats to eat or maybe helping them plant some gardens to grow food.

I'll put some more thought into this and post again on Monday.

[Batty_gyal]

I'm just interested in perspectives I guess, on ways people think we can make a positive difference in this world..especially in Jamaica since thats where many of us spend our vacations, live, or have interest in!

[jellybean]

I always take school supplies books etc as I think Education is the key. i'm not interested in taking anyone any 'designer' clothes when they don't know what they are going to eat for the week. I had someone ring me once and ask me to send them a leather coat !! leather coat in Ja dont make sense to me.

[Batty_gyal]

LOL...a leather coat seems pretty unnessessary!!! I know quite a few people who regularly take down clothing and ridiculously unnessessary things for their boys or other people. I know I took some clothes down for my hubby last trip...birthday present plus stuff he needed like swimming trunks to be with my family for a week, but its not something I would do again unless it was a nessessity!

School supplies is a great idea!!

[jellybean]

school supplies are important because the children have to supply everything and if they don't have the books they will fall behind.

It is tough because sometomes the decision has to be made whether to pay the school fees or buy food.

[Batty_gyal]

Alot of things in Jamaica make me sad!! There is a serious imbalance in this world of have's and have not's!! Last trip I was there I went down a few times to a lovely older lady who has a diabetic foot. I cleaned her open wounds and sores and scraped off dead skin and infection, applied salve and re-did the bandages. She has family abroad who don't help her at all and she's older and has this foot so can't work. Sweetest lady you will ever meet!!

At one point her eyes welled up with tears and she said to me " You just came at the right time, you really did". I had to fight not to cry. It was the most amazing feeling to feel like I did something good for another person like that. Since I will be living close to her I plan to go down and help her with her foot when I can and hopefully get her fresh supplies when I have the money and just little stuff. I just feel that not enough people in this world care, and some care but don't have the time or means to make a difference. I feel if I can do some stuff for some people..within my means...why wouldn't I!!

School supplies is a great idea though because I know a few people with kids in JA that could probably use it. Sometimes its nice just to give people a likkle food...even if I drop it off anomously..which I might do so I don't get an entire community depending on me as I can't afford that either lol!! Just a great feeling to help others...especially since I know I have so much and often take that for granted.

[jellybean]

You are right - i have helped people while I have been in JA but it doesnt mean I want the whole community to depend on me.

Sometimes it is better to show someone how to do / get something than keep doing / getting it for them.

Some of my relatives think I am their personal ATM when I am there but I have had to tell them in no uncertain terms ATM bruk down.

[ECO]

Some of my relatives think I am their personal ATM when I am there but I have had to tell them in no uncertain terms ATM bruk down.

Lol, I just say that I'm so poor that I don't even have an ATM card and the truth is that I have not owned one for almost 15 years.

[damswell]

I always bring school supplies for my kids and school uniforms, shoes, book bags etc. Yes my man gets stuff, but thats not stuff he has asked for, i just collect when i see stuff on sale. i take care of my family.
I also have sent things to the Windsor school for Girls, however my contact there is no longer.