Make those Christmas bundles of joy
We have housewives of middle income families who are in a sense fairy godmothers to some marginalized groups.
Middle income families pay rent, water bills, light bills, tuition, snacks for children at school, transportation expenses etc. They provide food for the family, clothes, shoes, money for projects of the children at school and occasional outings for the family. The school and the communities where they reside also collect donations from them for Christmas projects like bazaars, bingo games and Christmas raffle tickets.
How then can these housewives still provide Christmas bundles for the marginalized group they give to? This has been ongoing for four years now.
A Christmas bundle which consists of two kilos of rice, four canned goods and two noodle packs usually cost P150 each. These housewives are able to make 50 bundles of joy which they themselves distribute during the nine day novena masses leading to Christmas Day.
For 50 bundles of joy, a housewife will need P7,500. So where does she get this kind of money from her meager income? They skimp and they save.
Up to this writing, some housewives are still grinning and saying to each other, “Gee, its 40 days left before Christmas and my bundles are still lacking.” Sayings like, “a miracle will arrive, or nothing is impossible with God” often console these housewives.
This sharing started with an idea that if we give to strangers who do not expect anything from anyone, perhaps we could spread God’s love and care on earth. Some of the husbands have been commissioned by the wives to drive for them. After the first try, these husband no longer balk.
Up to this writing, the housewives who give to scavengers, to broom vendors, fish vendors who walk on the streets, will remain nameless. Some of us know each other but those who joined because of the movement of the Holy Spirit in their hearts know that their “left hand shouldn’t know what their right hand is doing.” They also only give to people who are honestly trying to make both ends meet yet are barely able to do so.
We have watch-your-car boys, newspaper vendors, fruit vendors etc.
Mothers and wives explain to their husbands and their children why the provisions are not as plentiful during October and November. They have to explain when the husband asks, “No more beer in the fridge?” or when the children ask, “No more peanut butter, Mommy?” There are some families who complain but most of the families of these housewives do not. Schools have Christmas drives, caroling and bazaar sales to get their money. Non-goveverment organizations have donations. The affluent groups have enough money.
Some churches have their early breakfast sales after the “Misa de Gallo” so they can sponsor scholarships, grant free medicine and whatever else the poor need.
We, housewives, are working on the premise that when we receive a windfall ourselves, whether it is money from the kids, or winnings from a raffle ticket or even just a box of chocolates or a single rose, there is a sudden flush of warmth brought about by the joy of the unexpected.
One experiences this particular moment when one stops by a perspiring scavenger or vendor on the street and hands out a Christmas bundle with these words, “This is a gift from God; give thanks to Him.” That sparkle of joy which flashes from a stranger’s eyes just before you drive off is enough to make you want to repeat the saving and the skimping for the next Christmas.
Middle income families know that we can only do so much. We often have to say no to friends who ask for donations for this or that project. However, this tiny bit of sharing is what we try to afford.
We are hoping to inspire the middle income group to share. Some can start with even five bundles of Christmas joy. There are always construction workers who go home for Christmas. Think of the joy you give when you meet him as he goes home with unexpected food good for an extra day. Just think about it!