Christmas sharing

This Christmas will be a very memorable one for us all. Disasters have visited our country before. However, the October quakes and the continuing aftershocks and new earthquakes and the November typhoon have destroyed so many communities and have claimed lives in several provinces. This year will long be remembered for the massive destruction, loss, death, and grief the disasters had inflicted among our people.

How can we soothe the pain in many of our people's hearts? How can we reach out to those in need?

While we have read stories of hope and resilience among our survivors, while we rejoice with much gratitude, for so much support and outpouring of concern and assistance from within and outside the Philippines, we also realize there are still so many more awaiting relief and assistance. Shall we share our ideas and time so no one among the disaster-affected is left out and uncared for especially this special Christmas season?

Many local and international groups are accepting donations and volunteers to carry out their outreach programs for the disaster survivors. Check out those closest and accessible to you. If you have no item or cash to share, maybe you can share your time and skills to pack relief goods, to drive survivors reunite with their loved ones, to play with the children or talk with the adults. Your presence and concern will be much appreciated.

You may also wish to lessen your energy consumption and share your light to brighten the darkened areas where the disaster survivors are. You may wish to lend your energy as well to building or restoring wells and water sources or rebuilding houses so that survivors can be protected from the cold and heat and rains and winds soonest.

In Bohol, we read Bangon Bohol's call for their "sinag-silong" solar light and shelter campaign. You may wish to check their site as well as those of other support groups in your area?

Instead of electric lights, Christmas trees can glow with red Christmas balls representing your love and concern for the disaster victims and survivors. You may wish to add a few golden tiny Christmas balls to serve as your own reminder of staying in and sharing hope to others this season and beyond.

And every time you see your Christmas tree, you may wish to offer prayers for all, especially for the victims and their eternal rest and peace with the Lord and for the peace and comfort of the Lord for their surviving family members.

Or instead of Christmas trees, you may wish to use recycled items to color and decorate your home this Christams.

Children may be encouraged to share some of their toys and school supplies (pencils, notebooks, colors, others) with disaster-affected children. We pray that special efforts can be exerted to provide more comfort and protection to the PWDs (persons with disabilities), the elderly, and needy females this Christmas.

An inventory and map showing reliable data about the disaster-affected people, their number, location, their needs, the type of assistance given to them by what local and international groups will be a much-appreciated gift that will guide support to those not yet provided any help or appropriate assistance.

Researchers can partner with LGAs and LGUs to rush this post-disaster-related map and inventory. Priests and religious can visit the mass grave sites to pray over the dead and to provide spiritual comfort to the surviving family members.

The list of what simple gifts all can share among the disaster-affected families can expand if you kindly share your ideas and suggestions with us all. You may write your ideas and initiatives through this column. You can also please continue with your Christmas sharing where you are and thank you sincerely to all of you who continue to soothe and to comfort the disaster-affected families in our midst this Christmas.

May all the love and concern for all disaster victims and families and other needy reach them this season and beyond.

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