Dear Editor,
It is my view that, given the economic challenges and difficulties facing many families and the relatively high level of individual poverty, it would be a good idea if the Government — working in consultation and in cooperation with organisations such as the Food For The Poor, Adventist Aid and the equivalent outreach arms of the Church of God and the Church of Christ — takes steps to open "$50.00 soup and porridge restaurants" in the major urban centres, such as downtown Kingston, Three Miles, Old Harbour, Spanish Town, Linstead, May Pen, among others.
These soup and porridge restaurants would, firstly, reduce and/or prevent hunger and malnutrition and secondly, preserve the dignity of the individual, preserve his/her belief in self, and separate the person from those we call street people because they can still afford to provide for themselves.
These are very important factors which have to be taken into consideration if the individual is not to give up hope that his or her condition can change, in preventing severe depression, violence and antisocial conduct.
I also believe that mothers with children and/or pregnant women could be asked to pay a price of $25.00 per meal. This approach would complement the existing school-feeding programme, and would reduce the pressure or temptation on women to carry out back-door abortions.
Such a programme would not be cheap, and the State would be faced with a daunting uphill task should it try to carry it out alone. However, with the help and assistance of the organisations named above,t becomes doable and can be financed.
The Government of Jamaica is the owner of many unused structures and premises across downtown and other urban centres that could be repaired as suitable locations. The employment of the Jamaica Defence Force engineering and construction units would greatly reduce the cost of putting up such structures.
Let's consider it.
Basil Fletcher
Municipality of Portmore
BasilAksumite@hotmail.com
Gov't should start $50 soup/porridge stands
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It is my view that, given the economic challenges and difficulties facing many families and the relatively high level of individual poverty, it would be a good idea if the Government — working in consultation and in cooperation with organisations such as the Food For The Poor, Adventist Aid and the equivalent outreach arms of the Church of God and the Church of Christ — takes steps to open "$50.00 soup and porridge restaurants" in the major urban centres, such as downtown Kingston, Three Miles, Old Harbour, Spanish Town, Linstead, May Pen, among others.
These soup and porridge restaurants would, firstly, reduce and/or prevent hunger and malnutrition and secondly, preserve the dignity of the individual, preserve his/her belief in self, and separate the person from those we call street people because they can still afford to provide for themselves.
These are very important factors which have to be taken into consideration if the individual is not to give up hope that his or her condition can change, in preventing severe depression, violence and antisocial conduct.
I also believe that mothers with children and/or pregnant women could be asked to pay a price of $25.00 per meal. This approach would complement the existing school-feeding programme, and would reduce the pressure or temptation on women to carry out back-door abortions.
Such a programme would not be cheap, and the State would be faced with a daunting uphill task should it try to carry it out alone. However, with the help and assistance of the organisations named above,t becomes doable and can be financed.
The Government of Jamaica is the owner of many unused structures and premises across downtown and other urban centres that could be repaired as suitable locations. The employment of the Jamaica Defence Force engineering and construction units would greatly reduce the cost of putting up such structures.
Let's consider it.
Basil Fletcher
Municipality of Portmore
BasilAksumite@hotmail.com
Gov't should start $50 soup/porridge stands
-->