The human local community is one of the greatest agents of change in a society. Few things are as powerful as the teamwork of a passionate community. Each member of the team brings their own expertise and other unique contributions and together make a powerful whole.
The purpose of a politician is not to pamper community members with handouts. Rather, the politician is an agent of the community. He or she is there to help motivate them towards joint action and also to help ensure that they get the support of the institutions of the states that they are due. This includes amenities such as good roads, adequate water supply, electricity as well as education and health services.
Sometimes for various reasons, the state may not come through adequately, but nevertheless, a progressive community will focus on self-help and cooperation to help ensure the fulfillment of their needs. This is what the people of Epworth in St. Ann have done.
We see where over the last quarter century, a senior teacher thought of quitting due to the poor state of the roads. Some of her colleagues actually had to leave their vehicles and walk part of the way. Fortunately, the people of Epworth did not give up. They were able to develop a partnership with community-oriented organisations such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), as well as putting their own collecting money into the project. The Epworth community development group sought to work together to maintain the repaired roads over time.
The partnership was not about fostering dependence but through collaboration the community made their input to sustain the future of their residents. Other benefits from community action included access to agricultural supplies as well as sales of produce to outsiders. I hope that whoever reads this can seek to become part of empowerment through community action.
Open the link to read more about the people of Epworth from the Observer newspaper.
The challenges with regards to most disabilities whether physical or mental is that they are permanent and lifelong.
Members of the community of disabled persons dislike being referred to as “handicapped”. Though one may lack the full extent of certain abilities, this does not have to severely ” handicap” one’s overall progress in life.
Through developing certain qualities a disabled person can unleash his or her potential to complete most of the tasks of life adequately – even as much as a fully able person.
Andrew Nelson was born without legs 42 years ago, yet for most of his life he climbs trees and does farming as well as landscaping.
His passion for and practice of farming started as early as 5 years old. Instead of giving up, he observed other persons practicing their craft.
Mr. Nelson refuses pity and does not see himself as being any less than his peers. At the same time, he welcomes the inner strength that comes from his encouraging friends.
His motto is: “There are chances in life that will make you successful. Think about things carefully before you give up. “
Whatever ability you may be deficient in, try to follow the example of Andrew Nelson.
No legs? No problem!
Click on the link below to view the full article.
When persons to whom we look to for guidance and mentorship feedback tells us that “you will come out to nothing” this is one of the worst ways of damaging someone’s self-esteem. This can cause a deep sense of worthlessness. The individual come to believe that nothing is worth trying because the “prophesied” failure seems inevitable. Nevertheless, a wonderful truth is that everyone is born with great inner potential. Each person has a special gift. The duty of parents, guardians, teachers and other mentors is to help each person to recognize their potential and gifts. They should work with each individual to nurture the untapped potential within them.
These are the lessons that we can learn from Ms. Shawna Kay Williams-Pinnock they are found in a letter she wrote to the editor in the Jamaica Observer entitled “Challenge ‘you will never come out to nutten’. (see the link below)
Let each of us be careful of what words we say to those over whom we have influence. Words can make or break a person. As well word can ensure success.
Ms. Williams- Pinnock was gracious enough to share about all the people who had positively influenced her total transformation. As shared, she was fortunate enough to have at least twelve (12) persons who contributed positively to her life development.
We may not recognize the number of persons that we will influence for good or evil as we express our opinions about them.