Christmas is a time for giving, sharing and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Companies, non-profit organisations and even individuals have gone out of their way to give back to the community and help the less fortunate. And while some celebrate in style, others endure their struggles to give their families the best they can, all for the spirit of Christmas.

Treat for Loloma Home

Tanoa International Hotel has once again hosted 16 children of Loloma Home for the third consecutive year as part of its commitment to giving back to the local community.

The hotel’s area general manager, Narend Kumar, said their team visited the home last month to ask the children for their wish list.

“The Tanoa International Hotel staff and management were equally delighted to learn that they were able to provide confidence in these children that there are people outside their world who cared for them and would fulfill, not only their need wish list, but their want wish list as well,” he said.

The children were treated with lunch and Christmas presents, and for the first time a group comprising 15 children from the All Nations Christian Fellowship (ANCF) provided the children with some fun and entertainment.

Time for giving

The Fiji National University Labasa campus visited the children’s ward at the Labasa Hospital bearing Christmas gifts.

Head of the campus, Pardeep Lal, said the staff gathered and made special contributions for the programme.

“The idea was to add joy to the children especially with only a few days left for Christmas,” Mr Lal said.

“Christmas is about giving. It is more than about us. It is about others just like it is said that Jesus died for others. We need to always do good to others.”

Children in HART homes

Instead of treating its staff to expensive gifts and holiday treats, Being Helping Hands Fiji has chosen to bless the children living in HART homes in Narere, Suva, with gifts and food.

The public relations officer for the non-profit organisation, Sazia Shainaz said they had decided on a company holiday with their families.

“As we sat down to plan our booking for a holiday getaway, it came to our minds that there are people who do not even have Christmas cakes to eat and here we are planning on our one-day vacation,” she said.

The NGO presented gifts to the 52 children and a Christmas tree for them to decorate.

The struggles

While it’s the season for merry making, some people still struggle to put food on the table for their loved ones to enjoy this Christmas.

Amelia Wati, 43, of Kiuva Village in Tailevu is one such person. She goes out fishing after dinner every Friday night with other village women.

She said she does this every Friday so that she could do some Christmas shopping for her children.

Many of children who visited the TappooCity complex in Suva had an opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa Claus. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Edited by Ivamere Nataro