It’s what many consider the most wonderful time of the year: the smell of pepperpot fills our home, as relatives from afar come to join in Christmas celebrations. Throughout Guyana decorations have sprung up, and carols can be heard at every corner; it’s officially Christmas.
The Christmas season is often referred to as the “season of giving”, and Guyanese across the country are reminded by the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund and Red Cross Volunteers, at every corner, of the less fortunate. Now, although it is a good thing that so many persons feel charitable around Christmas, it is truly a shame that our charity is seasonal.
It seems as though, we only remember the less fortunate around Christmas. We sit with our families, around our Christmas feasts and we think how special this is, and then we remember that there are others out there who aren’t as fortunate and we feel obliged to make their Christmas better. We see spending Christmas with our families as something valuable: a treasure. This is wonderful, no doubt, but sometimes we don’t realise how simple “everyday” things to us may also be treasures to others. I have been fortunate in that I have been privileged to be able to pursue my education; I have been afforded comforts such as a secure home; clothes and a steady supply of food. For many of us, we do not see these things as privileges. We have never lived without them, and we take them for granted. However, there are Guyanese who have never experienced any of these things. Why is it that we only remember them around Christmas?
Yes, I know one can’t afford to constantly be donating large amounts of money to organisations, but a little consistently throughout the year can make a huge difference in a child’s life. It could help to buy them school clothes or supplies, or even help to feed them. If you can’t donate money, why not donate time and love, by volunteering?
If we all come together, we will be able to impact positively on the lives of thousands of children. We could help enable their hopes and dreams, and give them a future to look forward to. It would truly be, for me, the best repayment I could ever receive – if a child whose life I contributed to – became something because of my assistance.
