Christmas spirit visits Parian kids

TO let them feel the presence of Christmas, children in the Parian Drop-In Center in Cebu City received gifts from the students, faculty and staff of Southwestern University (SWU) last Saturday.

SWU Social Works Society President Kimverly Kaye Uymasuy said minors in the center were treated with games, food and some goodies during the wholeday event.

Social Work Society is under the Department of Behavioral Sciences of SWU.

Games and other recreational activities were done to entertain the children.

“We chose them because we want to let them feel the spirit of Christmas, that they will receive gifts as most of the children look forward when the yuletide season comes,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.

Beneficiaries

Around 30 minors who are currently taking shelter in the center benefited from the activity.

Aside from the less-privileged kids, the group also extended gifts to the social workers, who dedicated their time for the children inside the center.

Uymasuy said several students from different departments of SWU and its supreme student government pitched in money to buy gifts that they distributed to the children.

The school also partnered with the Intervarcity Christian Fellowship, a non-government organization for the Christmas event.

“This is the first time that we tap other partners, who are not from our schools because we really wanted to expand the activity and make this a success,” Uymasuy said.

She said some food supplies were also given to the center, to help them in their daily meal expenses.

Donations

Considering that Parian DropIn Center is a non-government institution, the people behind it are relying on public donations.

Aside from food and shelter, the center is also taking care of the education of the minors in the center.

“It’s also good that we are able to share our blessings and let these kids feel that they are loved through our time spent with them,” Uymasuy said.