Hope
Editorial
Stabroek News
December 27, 2003
It would be hard to imagine that anyone who watched 'Christmas Kindness', the Oprah Winfrey show on television on Monday, did so with a dry eye. The programme focused on Oprah's 21-day visit to South Africa in December 2002, in which she touched the lives of 50,000 children, some of whom had never before received a gift. The children were given Christmas presents, shoes and clothing and a month's supply of food. Their outpouring of gratitude was so profound it could almost be felt through the television screen. One of the people who accompanied Oprah on the visit summed it up by saying that she gave them hope.
Anyone reading the local daily newspapers or watching the news on television in the run-up to Christmas, would have noticed similar activities in Guyana; businesses and other organisations spreading Christmas cheer. While a number of senior citizens in and out of homes were targeted, the majority of the beneficiaries were children. Of course, none of the activities were of the magnitude revealed during 'Oprah'. And it was not just businesses and charitable organisations that gave; a check at orphanages and other homes would also reveal that many individuals have done the same, without cameras and fanfare.
This kind of giving, especially to children and at Christmas, does more than provide for their immediate needs. It can bolster the spirits of a child who may otherwise feel abandoned and alone. Most importantly it can provide hope.
Children who feel abandoned and alone are likely to grasp at any opportunity to change their status. Sharing what we have with those who do not have is a tangible demonstration that we care. Knowing that someone cares could awaken hope in a child who may have otherwise felt that his or her situation could never change. Such small acts of kindness, which may seem routine to some of us at this time of the year, could change a child's view of the world and have a significant impact on who that child becomes.
If we take cognisance of this, then perhaps for future Christmases we could be more thoughtful in our giving. This should include planning ahead so that gifts could be personalised and that we could use the opportunity to give more of ourselves and our time.
The fact that so many of us have given and continue to give also sends a message that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Guyana and it augurs well for the future of our country. It is hoped that the example set by so many will encourage others to do likewise.