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Season for giving helps orphanages spread Christmas cheer among children
The generosity of the Sri Lankan people shone bright through their giving as the Christmas season came into fruition yesterday. The Sunday Times spoke to orphanages and other charitable organiszations on how they celebrated Christmas this year.
“People have been extremely generous despite how trying the times are,” said Dr. Sr. Selinta Fernando, Sister Superior at the St. Joseph’s Girls’ Home, Bolawalana. The girls had begun advent celebrations with a 24-day long advent calendar that offered a surprise gift and a gospel verse from December 1 to December 24. “They loved sharing the respective messages they opened up every day with each other since everyone got a different gospel verse,” Sister Superior noted. The official Christmas party was held on December 21 and the girls had each received 4-5 dresses for the festive days that were coming up. “We collected materials throughout the year as well to prepare for this so we were able to give the girls something to wear for Christmas and New Year’s day.”
Celebrations on Christmas day itself ended with a cherry on top as the girls were treated to their official “big” Christmas gift and a parcels of sweets. “It’s important to keep their spirits up especially since going home isn’t an option with the pandemic situation and by God’s grace and people’s generosity we were able to do it,” she concluded.
In some homes children had not seen their loved ones, who they usually visit during the holiday season, for almost two years – the duration of the pandemic. One Sister Superior who did not wish to be named noted that children were only taken to and from school and were not allowed visits from family members due to the continued risk of transmission. While the economic situation affected donations most homes managed to give their wards a celebration of some sort.
“More would help but we trust in God and we have been able to manage thankfully,” noted Sister Susila Mary-Anne, Sister Superior of the St. Mary’s Girls’ Home and the Fatima Boys’ Home in Welihena.
The thanksgiving mass held for the season between the two homes had been followed by a carol service/concert performance by the children. “They received their Christmas gifts and we had a special dinner organised for the party. The children had also put up band displays in honour of their festivities,” she said.
| Prisons bands put up shows for Christmas Prison bands across the island performed at their highly anticipated carols concerts after weeks of practice. “The Welikada prison band performed on the 24th and the 25th,” noted Commissioner of Administration and Rehabilitation Chandana Ekanayake. He added that every year Catholic priests are invited to come and conduct Christmas mass and that the tradition would be continued this year with the necessary health guidelines in place. Apart from this, inmates have been also allowed to receive food parcels from home from December 23 until December 27 as well as one visitor who could bring the food along. Families could also deposit Rs. 2500 at the Prison Canteen for their loved one’s tab on which they could, later on, purchase milk, food, sugar, sweets, and even sanitary items.
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