EDITORIAL

Give even a little ...

 

As we celebrate this Yuletide Season and make preparations for Christmas Day we must be cognisant of the fact that there are a number of persons among us that will not be able to afford much this season and if possible, those of us who can afford to, should make a special effort to assist them.
 
In this season of joy and peace, the reality is that there are several persons out there who will not have a joyous holiday and they could benefit from someone showing them some kindness. In that vein, we applaud entities like the Salvation Army, the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society, the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the Barbados Red Cross Society for their efforts throughout the year to help persons in need, and especially at this time of the year, and we encourage all Barbadians and residents of Barbados to support these causes.
 
Some weeks ago the Salvation Army started its Mail and Kettle Appeal aimed at raising $800 000 for the needy, they have been urging Barbadians to give even a little bit to help give a gift of hope this Christmas. We endorse this call as there is no denying that there are Barbadians out there who are disadvantaged and require a helping hand. Think about it, if just half of the population was to give $6 to this cause, the Salvation Army could easily meet that target.
 
This money and more is needed as times remain tough and we face the sad and sobering reality that in recent years this country has perhaps seen more persons living on our streets. In fact, the incidence of homelessness is not just growing locally, but around the world, the result of several factors, among them the shortage of adequate, affordable housing options; eviction; unemployment, substance abuse; broken family relationships; fires and natural disasters. These facts have motivated calls for additional facilities and programmes to be instituted to cater to such persons, and indeed we cannot deny that they are essential.
 
Back in 2012, when The Clyde Gollop Night Shelter for homeless men was reopened, the 34-bed facility was basically full and they were seeing an increase in the number of referrals for persons with health challenges, as well as deportees from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Four years later, that situation has not likely improved, making its purpose even more necessary.
 
In fact, only this week chairman of the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society, Kemar Saffrey, was reported as calling for systems to be put in place to deal with deportees to ensure that these persons when they return to Barbados, are able to deal with the culture shift and successfully get back on their feet. Now while as a society we do not want to become a welfare state, and promote mendicant behaviour, all persons have a basic right to food and shelter and every effort must be made to ensure these basic needs are met, especially at this time of year, a season of giving.
 
It is not at all being suggested that Government be called on to do more, it is a call to Barbadians in general, individuals and corporate entities, to give even a little to assist those in need. There are persons who might be thinking ‘but I do not have anything myself, how could I give something?’ The answer is simple, the widow’s mite! The Bible tells us the story of a woman who although in need of charity herself, gave the last of what she had as an offering. She gave in faith, believing that God could use it, and he would provide for her. Some of us could do with such faith.
 
So we challenge all who can [and even those who think they cannot] to give a little; it can go a long way.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000