Christmas is traditionally a time of joy
and
a time when most families come together but for some it can be a time of
loneliness and sadness. For the children of the poor there may be few, if
any presents. For non-custodial parents there may be the sadness of being
separated from their children. Some people are alienated from their
family, others have lost loved ones. Amid the joy of Christmas, there are
many who are lonely, depressed and even suicidal.
R.I. President Jonathan Majiyagbe's theme LEND A HAND is one
that
is most
apt at Christmas time. While enjoying the Christmas holiday in the
loving atmosphere of our own family we should not forget that many in our
community and abroad need us to lend
a hand so that they, too, can find
some joy at Christmas.
There may be someone you know
that you could invite to share Christmas with your family. Alternatively,
there are church and community organisations that provide a Christmas
dinner for the homeless,
the poor and the lonely. Those organisations need us to lend them a hand.
President Jonathan has also asked us to remember the Rotary family.
Rotarians are subject to the same setbacks and tragedies as everyone else.
We need to ensure that those Rotarians
who have suffered misfortune are cared for at this time. Forget not that
beyond our own family and the family of Rotary there is the family of
Mankind. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. We all feel joy
and pain; we all have aspirations,. and we are all concerned for the
welfare of our children; but we don't all have the same opportunities.
Let
us remember the family of Mankind at Christmas and lend a hand to those
less fortunate than us!
On
behalf of the R.l.’s. South Pacific and Philippines Office I extend best
wishes for the holiday season to all Rotarians and their families and
wish all a prosperous New Year as you continue to LEND A HAND to those who
need our help.
