Christmas 'on the street'

Beyond the merrymaking and lavish spending on shopping, the Christmas season should include putting smiles on the faces of the countless underprivileged children around us. Though there are many organisations already doing this, there is a growing need to do more given the increasing number of disadvantaged children as a result of poverty, insurgency, abandonment, death of parents among others.

I have a few suggestions for those that may not know how to go about this:

1. a visit to an IDP (internally displaced persons) camp, school or orphanage around you with clothes, food and drugs.

2. donations to a reputable child-based charity organisation and religious groups.

3. personal drive-through food and other items given away. You can ask your family and friends to also join you.

4. organise a special party or musical concert within your neighbourhood, orphanage or other children based centres.

5. medical outreach where they are provided with free medical check-ups, counselling and medications. You don't have to be a health care professional to do this, you can partner with the professionals as a donor or sponsor.

6. adopt or sponsor a child to school.

7. sponsor a child's medical bills. Many children are unable to access medical care or are abandoned in healthcare facilities because of their parents/guardians' inability to pay their medical bills.

There are still other ways not mentioned here but achievable in making the children smile this Christmas season and always. Simply look around you and find the one that works for you based on your location, needs, available resources, status, job and affiliations.

I urge you all to do this as often as possible, but for this season, please include the children around you who also need to experience love outside your familiar circle, family and friends.

"no child asked to be born as underprivileged, therefore, they deserve to be happy too."