The Sunday Mail
CHRISTMAS and the festive mood is upon us once again.
Harare Children’s Hospital is one of the institutions that had an early Christmas a fortnight ago.
The institution is a major referral hospital which embraces children from all corners of the country.
Children with various ailments, some of which have left them bedridden, are embraced at this hospital.
Orphans and abandoned children are also taken in.
New Life Covenant Church has hosted Christmas parties for these children for seven consecutive years.
This writer had the privilege of joining a team that was hosting these children two weeks ago.
At least 1 500 children were present. Among them were those from homes such as Village of Hope, NorthCote Training Institution, SOS, Shalom Christian Foundation Trust and Upenyu Hutsva, among others.
Pastor G, Tembelami, Covenant Praise and Pauline Gundidza provided entertainment.
Toys, basic commodities and donated clothes were distributed to the jovial children.
Further, the institution’s staff received presents for serving so diligently at the hospital.
The experience reminded me of what Charles Dickens said in his 1859 novel, “A Tale of Two Cities”.
Dickens wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness . . .”
Many of us are planning for the best Christmas ever but there are many others in terrible situations.
While there is light due to privileges for others, there is darkness for others as they ponder where they will get their next meal, let alone Christmas dinner.
As children trickled in with their guardians from as early as 9:00am, others remained in their wards.
By lunch time, at least 1 500 children were queueing for food, with ice-cream and other goodies to follow.
The queues meandered right down the long hospital corridors, threatening to extend to the exit doors.
The guardians queued separately.
This reminded me never to take things for granted. As we get engrossed in our privileges this Christmas season, we should not fail to realise just how privileged we are to have that decent meal every day.
My heart went out to the children who were close to tears after receiving pairs of shoes or clothes, their appreciation was out of this world.
Experiences that stuck in my mind include that of a child who walked barefoot to the table from were clothes where being distributed and noticed a pair of shoes.
The size looked perfect but upon trial it seemed slightly small. Additional attempts which included removing the shoelaces would not yield positive results for this child.
The dejection on the child’s face as he returned the shoes after realising that he could not fit into them broke my heart.
Another boy requested to take two pairs of shoes, with the second one meant for his sister who could not make it to the party.
Later, a queue of teenage boys from one of the homes also formed but a significant number of them could not find fitting clothes as there were mostly small sizes.
One elderly woman accompanying her grandchild requested clothes for herself too as she was “walking naked” back home.
This is a situation that affects many people in society.
It’s the seemingly small things that we take for granted that mean a lot to others. While Christmas is a religious holiday, the spirit of love has to extend beyond religious boundaries.
We live in communities characterised by a tale of two cities.
Some have clothes that have not be worn for the entire past year. Those clothes might never be worn again and are simply stashed somewhere.
Let’s remember the less privileged and make a difference for them this Christmas.
To those who have pampered themselves every year on Christmas, I encourage you to serve the less privileged this season.
Somewhere in your area there is a widow, a child-headed family or a struggling family. Put a smile or a tear of joy on their face this Christmas.
If not for the spirit of Christmas, let it be for the sake of the spirit of ubuntu, that inherent value that encourages us to share whatever we have no matter how big or small it is.
If you would want to donate something to the needy, do not hesitate to contact this writer on the details provided below.
Let us spread love this season; have a merry serving Christmas.
Feedback: [email protected]. Telephone :04795771-90/705510-9
