Appreciate the many things we have in this country

Fri July 19, 2013

Editor: Is the grass really greener on the other side? We have often heard that the grass is greener on the other side, referring to countries like USA, CANADA and ENGLAND. Many have migrated and many are thinking about migrating in hopes that they would find greener pastures.{{more}}

But is the grass greener on the other side? Or is migrating to these aforementioned countries really going to greener pastures? Many who have migrated have found out that it is not so. Many Vincentians have the false idea that if they migrated to one of these “big, rich” countries that life will be better. Well, it would be interesting to hear from many who have left this blessed land of ours in hopes of a better life their stories of struggles to survive.

Indeed, we are blessed to be living in this country called SVG, which is indeed the land of the free and privileged. Many of us have the false idea that things are so cheap overseas and jobs are so readily available and that our loved ones who live abroad have life so easy that they can send things to us often. Many do not realize the struggles their loved ones and friends have gone through to survive and still be able to send something back home.

Let us learn to appreciate the many things we have in this country that we take for granted. We have mangoes, breadfruit, fruits, and fishes etc that we sometimes can get freely, unlike our friends in the diaspora who have to purchase everything. We have freedom that we can even pull down and slander others on radio, unlike the great USA where such privilege is not afforded.

Let us be thankful for this land of ours and take care of it, treat it nice and love it. For the grass is not greener on the other side. Many have left these shores and are worse off than what they were when they left. Many who have migrated can not even pay their airfare to return, home while we grumble and complain. Many are homeless who once lived in a home over here. Many have left their jobs here and are struggling to survive. There are so many persons in these countries who are jobless, yet they have no one to give them anything, while they still have their bills to pay.

Let no one fool you; the grass is not always greener on the other side. However, it pays to be educated and be qualified; then you can have a chance to survive outside by applying for jobs abroad and once you are accepted, then you can migrate, knowing you have something to look forward to. But it would not be a bed of roses and certainly there is no place like home. I LOVE SVG, THE LAND OF MY BIRTH.

Kennard King