THE EDITOR, Sir:KINDLY ALLOW me space in your newspaper to congratulate 'letter of the day' writer Ferdinand Madden Jr., on his letter titled 'Extend peace activities for more than a day', published on February 5.
I am a recipient of the generosity of Ferdinand Leslie Snr. and Jr. I grew up in the inner city and was afforded the opportunity to be independent at a very tender age, due to my early employment at Madden's.
I recall when trying to obtain my first mortgage loan, it was Ferdinand Madden Jr. who gave me an income statement that enabled me to successfully qualify for that mortgage.
As adults who grew up in the inner city (although from two different social backgrounds), Ferdinand and I have solutions to make like more meaningful,
purposeful and productive to the youths of the inner city we have 'lived it'. Ferdinand served as board member of our old school, St. Anne's Primary. Outside of this, neither of us has been asked to make any meaningful contribution, through any organisation or association. In our own small way, we continue to be a beacon and a ray of hope for the youngsters of the Western Kingston constituency.
There can be no lasting peace without justice and forgiveness. I would encourage Ferdinand to continue writing letters to The Gleaner. As long as it makes good reading, with a message, solution or suggestion to Jamaica's problems, it will be published.
I write as one with some amount of experience, as I have been writing letters to the editor for the past decade on varied topics and have had 'letters of the day' in the months of September and October 2004, respectively.
Let us, as Jamaicans at home and abroad, all strive for lasting and sustainable peace in our country 'Jamaica, land we love'.
I am, etc.,
JOSEPH M.
CORNWALL (Sr.)
tranqulityfh@yahoo.com
CEO House of Tranquility
Funeral Home Ltd. (Int'l)
