DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM? IS SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU? WRITE TO: TELL ME PASTOR, DR. AARON DUMAS, P.O. BOX 188, KING STREET, KINGSTON. FOR PERSONAL REPLIES PLEASE INCLUDE A STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. TELEPHONE: 929-1667/8.

Dear Pastor,

I am 25 years old and living in the country. I am very depressed and getting desperate. Things have been so hard on me because I am not working and I cannot seem to find a job. I don't have any help. I have sisters and brothers, but they have their own responsibilities, so they are unable to help me. Growing up, my mother had nine of us with my father. He was not willing to help us. To me he did not care and because of that I did not get the chance to finish high school or even learn a skill, which is so embarrassing to mention at my age.

I have been in a relationship before, but I withdrew because of the disrespect and abuse. I don't want my child or children to suffer like I did. My life is so sad that I can hardly sleep at nights, so I cry and pray. I don't know what to do next. I tried bar and domestic work, but I don't like it; furthermore, I am afraid of being around men.

I'm really confused and desperate and in need of your advice. Please give me your fatherly advice and some help in finding a job so I can send myself back to school. Thanks for reading my letter and God bless you.

Y.R., Manchester, Jamaica

Dear Y.R.,

I am sorry to know that you are unemployed and that you do not have a skill. I wonder if you would consider dressmaking or tailoring. I am sure that you can find someone in your neighbourhood who can teach you dress-making. You can also do a little buying and selling to help yourself. You do not like domestic work but perhaps, you can consider also getting into the foreign work programme.

I suggest that you call the Ministry of Labour and ask about this programme. They are recruiting people to work in Canada and the United States. You have to learn to help yourself, so get going.

Pastor