Dear Editor,

I write to give my strong support to the recommendation made by Attorney Howard Hamilton in the June 5 Observer on how to move the country forward in the face of the events of the last weeks. Mr Hamilton seems to be one of the few people who recognise that when the dons disappear from communities, the question immediately arises, who will take their place when school books have to be bought, school fees and granny’s hospital bill have to be paid? The reason the dons have maintained their strong position in communities is because they are always willing to step in and help when things get rough for those suffering.

It is clear that if the dons must go, there has got to be an alternative when people in the poorer communities have problems which require urgent attention. Mr Hamilton suggests that the public be encouraged to contribute to a fund which can be managed by a group such as the PSOJ, or possibly some NGOs who will undertake to run such a fund which will be accessible to people who are now turning to the dons for money for the light bill, school books for their children, or a month’s rent which is overdue. And his suggestion that this fund will accept a minimum contribution of US$5 or J$500 ensures that the humblest among us can find this small sum and take pride in feeling that we have made a contribution to the solution.

The government will never be in a position to take care of all those who require a relatively small amount of money to solve a domestic problem. And there are many of us who are willing to contribute regularly, but wish to be sure that our money is being administered in a sensible, practical way, that is, run by the private sector which could undertake the task as their contribution to national development, and not be used to set up another government institution which would require payment to staff, with leave facilities and contributions to pension funds. I would encourage Mr Hamilton to follow through with his idea which has so much to recommend it.

E Smith

Kingston 8