Neighbors for Neighbors gives children a positive outlet
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-NEIGHBORS for Neighbors, a community-based organizing committee located in Ponds Pasture, has made it its mission to provide fun family events that not only give residents something to do on the weekends, but will also prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activity. “We want to hold happy events that keep kids away from negative influences,” said Neighbors for Neighbors president, Meisha Buchanan in an interview with SKNVibes.com. She cited a recent Saturday evening small fair in Ponds Pasture as one such positive event, providing attendees with food, drinks and games to play.
For Buchanan, Neighbors has been a personal project for many years, despite some ups and downs. Buchanan was president of a similar group in years past, but the organization was forced to disband in 2005.
“We had several people move away around the same time and the old group could no longer stay together, but it wasn’t long before I could see how bored people were without community events. So, I began going door-to-door in Ponds Pasture and suggesting Neighbors for Neighbors. We held a meeting where I and the other officers were elected, and the program just sort of took off again from there,” said Buchanan.
Neighbors for Neighbors, like any small group, has had its fair share of financial challenges, but Buchanan has not allowed them to dampen her dream. “Aside from collecting donations at our events, I regularly visit with and write letters to businesses for donations. Most of the time I find that if you approach people in the right way and explain clearly what you are trying to do, they are happy to help. I actually have to finish writing a thank you letter to Cable & Wireless for sponsoring our last event.”~~Adz:Right~~
One member of Neighbors, Pearline Pontene, said that another problem for the recently revived program has been publicity. “Not as many people as we would have liked heard about our last event, but we are planning to put up posters and spread the word more for the next one on April 19th. We know the events will only get bigger.”
Buchanan was also optimistic about the future of the program, saying that she hopes one day each parish will have their own Neighbors for Neighbors committee. “We hope that within the next five years we will have gathered enough support and sponsorship funds to be able to donate to people in need or other small groups that are trying to help their communities.”
Buchanan had no doubts that Neighbors for Neighbors will remain viable as long as the public continues to show their support for the group, either by helping to organize or simply by attending scheduled events. “It is really about providing help wherever and whenever we can and making a difference right here in our own community,” she said.
