THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE ARTICLE in The Gleaner of March 10, titled 'Offer of free certificates triples birth registra-tion' may, on the surface, seem like good news, but I believe it speaks to a deep problem in our nation that is not getting enough attention, that of abject poverty.

The dramatic increase in the number of persons registering their children because it is now free makes me wonder about the number of sacrifices that persons have to make on a daily basis because of meagre financial resources. If some persons are at the point where they cannot afford birth certificates, what else can they not afford? What about proper health care? What about proper shelter? What about proper education?

Events happening around us show that where there is a will there is a way. Let us not turn a blind eye to the needs of our brothers and sisters. Let us use these needs to galvanise our efforts to seek the welfare of all.

I am, etc.,

GARY GARDINER

garyogardiner@yahoo.com

Vineyard Town

Kingston 3

Via Go-Jamaica