The year 2007 is just about finished. For some, it was a year filled with many challenges, with some fulfilled dreams and some still hanging in the air.

As the festivities of the holiday wear away, Jamaicans are now looking seriously to the year ahead and the many challenges which the future holds. They say they look forward to many changes for themselves, their families and their country.

"Right now a betterment we a deal wid. We need all work so people can comfort demself," said Patrick, a self-employed man from Woodford Park, St. Andrew in an interview with THE STAR. "Fi the New Year, we also need more love cause we short a that."

While lamenting the lack of love shown for each other in the country, Patrick said that for the New Year, it is important for Jamaicans to care more about each other.

Neville Walker, a messenger from Portmore, St. Catherine has several wishes for his fellow countrymen. "My change is a better salary but what I would like to see in Jamaica is the brutality towards one another stop. It's time we stop killing each other," said Mr. Walker.

Tired a gun

Patrick, like Mr. Walker said this is one of his greatest wishes for his country in 2008. "The gunmen dem fi go mask one side. Me tired a gun round me," said Patrick.

She is a senior citizen but 70-year-old Lucille Wright sits by the roadside and sells sweets and snacks to earn some money to care for herself. For the year 2008, her desire is to see an improvement in her business, as well as see a reduction in crime and violence in Jamaica. "A progress mi waan fi the New Year," she said. "It tan bad, it rough, it dangerous. Me caan even walk, a pure gunshot. Mi affi jus siddung inna mi house, cork up."

Mr. Walker said for the New Year the government should try to rid the streets of unemployed youths. "I think the government should focus on building a concentration camp where they can take these little boys. They are the ones causing the mayhem and the killing in this country," he said. "Put the shottas and all the idle hands to work."

For the upcoming year, Patrick said that he would like to see a changed Jamaica, to which everyone can contribute. "Change your ways and mek we have a better vibe inna Jamaica," he said.