Dear Editor,
A culture of laziness has become prevalent among some of our citizens. It may have started a long time ago, and in my opinion, many may not want to address this matter although they know we need to change working attitudes which is holding back our country’s development. Some people do not get up and, like the birds in the morning, look for their needs. Our people, gripped by the teaching which says do not worry, God will provide, wait without realizing that poverty is climbing up their doorstep. Editor, of my 60 years in this world, my understanding of life is that God provided everything mankind needed to live. From the earth, millions of items are made, from a bicycle to the jets that fly in the sky, the trains, automobiles, and our homes.
God gave us plants for medicine and food, trees for our homes, chairs and tables for us to sit and eat. From one tree comes thousands of fruits and seeds. God created the sun which evaporates water and return it back to earth for the living, and he gave mankind the most powerful thing, the brain, to hold information and to think, to seek knowledge for his or her needs. Therefore, with all of what God has provided, do we still expect God to come and work for us? No, he would not, we as humans have to do that for ourselves, and if we cannot find a job, we create one. In the majority of places, one notices staff turnovers regularly for various reasons, especially late arrival and poor performance. In some businesses, staff could be heard saying, ‘this business is not my business’, ‘I am not killing myself over it’, although it is just 8 hours of work a day or a contract job. Some forget that if the business tumbles, they too would be on the breadline.
Self-employment can be created in the areas of skills trade, fruits and vegetables processing, cooking and baking, agriculture, tourism and many other areas, but many want big-money jobs though their production skills and good altitude to increase productivity are absent. While I am aware that everyone needs to earn equitably to live under this growing poverty economy, betterment can only come with a disciplined and productive workforce. Thousands from all over the world are finding jobs here, or creating for themselves, but many Guyanese parents and grandparents still carry the financial burden of their homes. Do the youths truly want to work? If they do, they can create jobs for themselves. I know of many young people who have not attained high school education but have created jobs for themselves and are doing well.
The love for children and others in the home must not create laziness. Make sure they contribute, by doing something in the home, yard, or community, and help their families in some way or another. Editor, if our people don’t get up and pay attention to what is taking place in our country, we will lose our country. Guyanese, wake up. If one cannot find a job with their academic school education, learn a skill, but contribute to the home and community.
Sincerely,
Michael Carrington
People Development Movement