Hi neighbour! Wouldn't you agree that whenever we act on problems there is usually more to talk about and to celebrate than when we just talk about them? Yet there are so many persons - if not the majority - who would rather just talk about them.

Isn't that insanity?

I was listening to a talk show on Monday morning and heard the moderator seek to bring closure to the discussion by offering a series of solutions. The caller showed absolutely no interest in solutions. He just wanted to talk about the problem, believing that people would find it more entertaining. Those so persuaded are usually very disappointed when problems are solved.

Why not spend more time doing something about things we can change?

About two weeks ago, a couple of neighbours from separate communities beckoned to Hello Mi Neighbour for assistance. In Monica's case, a mother of four who lives in deep-rural St Catherine, she had a stroke and became incapable of caring for her children optimally. Food was always scarce. Children were most times hungry, often retiring to bed without supper.

Jas, an unemployed mother, also of rural origin, needed a bed for her three children but couldn't afford one.

While many persons would find every excuse in the book not to help these neighbours, from experience we knew that someone would step forward to render assistance. The very morning these cases were published in this, our weekly column, a retired St Andrew gentleman called with a desire to assist both neighbours.

Armed with the information we gave him, he journeyed to the house of the neighbour who had the stroke to have a first-hand assessment of her situation. Satisfied that she genuinely needed help, he took her son to the supermarket and purchased two weeks' supply of groceries for her family, with a promise to supply them with two additional weeks of food. Having met that need, it was now on to the neighbour who needed a bed.

Twelve miles into the hills with a fearful wife beside him and a bed on his van was more pleasure than pressure. By the time they got to the remote community, it was nightfall. Totally satisfied that he had just done the neighbourly thing, he travelled back to St Andrew with a song in his heart. That night I believe angels must have smiled as they witnessed three fewer unhappy families in the world.

Thanks to these neighbours for helping others

1. Mazie, for donating clothing, shoes, mattress, chairs to a neighbour in need.

2. Veronica, St Andrew, for donating a refrigerator and other household items to Donna, Manchester.

3. Elaine, for giving financial assistance to Ms Allen to help prepare for her son's back-to-school preparation.

4. Norma, St Mary, for offering khaki uniforms and shoes.

5. Sharon, for offering children's clothing.

6. Debbie, St Catherine, for offering a four-burner gas stove.

7. Rae, for offering a printer to Beverly. It will help with her assignments.

8. Lola, St Elizabeth, for connecting with Akeem, St Catherine, who needed help withback-to-school supplies.

9. Johan, St Catherine, for offering khaki.

10. The National Commercial Bank, for contributing to our book drive.

11. The anonymous neighbour who left that almost brand-new walker at our office for an elderly person.

12. The Jamaica Public Service for contributing books and school supplies for our book drive.

Here are opportunities to help others

13. David, Clarendon, was shot and injured and is now unable to walk. Started his own business in chicken rearing and is appealing to neighbours for assistance with chicken feed.

14. Grace, St Catherine: Her father suffered a stroke and is now in need of adult diapers. She is finding it financially difficult at this time and is appealing to neighbours to assist.

15. Fay, St Elizabeth: Desperate mother appealing to neighbours for grade six books for her daughter who is a bright and promising child.

16. Steve, St James: Recently lost his job and is now focused on equipping himself to start his own business. Has plans to do video production; asking neighbours for assistance with a portion of his school fee. He already has half - needs additional $11,000.

17. Fredricka, Kingston: Needs assistance to purchase special bags for a medical condition. Bags are inexpensive, but she is unable to work to purchase them.

18. Osbourne, Manchester: Needs to do a scan for a condition about which the doctors are not sure.

19. Kemisha, St Andrew: Seeking assistance for herself and her deaf mother. In need of food and school supplies.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 ,or email neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. 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