Pinaskohan be: Christmas parties on sidewalks
By Fr. Heinz Kulueke, SVD (2000)
PINASKOHAN BE,” meaning ‘Christmas gift please,’ the little skinny boy of about seven, clothed in dirty rags greeted me that evening from a distance, a few months before Christmas.
The usual greeting was “maayong gabii, dre” [good evening, Father] and I was wondering why he greeted me that way that early. Looking around, however, I realized that the little boy was right. Stores on Colon St. in a downtown in Cebu City had started putting up Christmas decorations attracting the attention of passers-by, especially of children.
“Mag-amen ka usa,” [what about saying 'Good Evening' first] I challenged the little caller and Joseph came with a big smile on his unwashed, bony face turning it into something very beautiful. The other 20 or so street children aged seven to 14 joined Joseph not only in greeting me but also in reminding me that Christmas was fast approaching and that Christmas gifts would be welcome.
The street children on Colon St. have been my special friends for a long time now but that evening, an idea cropped up—that was to hold an evening meal on the sidewalk.
Within a few months, we managed to gather close to a hundred of them for an evening meal on the sidewalk or inside the ruins of a former department store.
The meals were sponsored by some generous friends but the street children were also asked to contribute from the little daily income they had from collecting garbage, begging, small tips for helping shoppers to get cabs or rendering services to sidewalk vendors. At first, many street children with their usual wit tried to avoid contributing for the meal. But they, themselves, challenged each other to contribute not only money but also their services needed in preparing for the meal—gathering firewood, washing utensils and buying of rice and things needed—or they would not be allowed to eat.
“If you have money for rugby (which is used as a kind of drug that street children inhale to reduce their hunger,” I overheard a little girl in the group shouting angrily at her companion who was hesitant to contribute, “then you should also have money for our supper.”
The evening meal should be a time to talk, make friends, reconcile and take care of the various medical needs of these often sick and malnourished children.
The proposal, which called for not only exchanging Christmas gifts but also the holding of a Christmas party with the usual Christmas meal, caused excitement among Colon’s street children.
We had only six weeks left to prepare. The suggestion to start saving for the party by collecting one peso every evening per child who wanted to join was well taken. Around 60 children were on the list and more or less regular contributions were given prior to the scheduled party. During spontaneous meetings with the children, details were worked out for food preparations and for the place on the side walk that would be available only after the shops would have closed at around nine o’clock in the evening. A suggested requirement for “party guests” to take a shower and wear clean clothes was not welcomed by some boys. To avoid conflicts, the shower requirement was made optional.
However, every child should receive a gift and Jimmy, about 14 years old, was tasked to prepare the list of those attending a week prior to the party. Sufficient time had to be given to group members tasked with buying of whatever was on the wish lists and what the budget would allow. Rubber slippers, t-shirts, short pants, underwear, and, of course, food and sweets.
Finally, the day of the party came. Naturally, nothing turned out perfect, particularly when it came to the little program, as the street children felt embarrassed to perform their assigned numbers such as singing and sharing what Christmas meant to them in front of several late evening shoppers who were watching this unusual Christmas party on the side walk.
But the children enjoyed the party because it was “their” party and everybody had been part of it from the very beginning.
With deep joy in my heart I watched little Joseph trying his “pinaskohan,” a new t-shirt that for sure would not remain that clean for long. I felt how much Joseph deserved this little gift. Police raids, various shelters, prison, being ashamed even of begging because of his dirty and smelly cloths, looking for food in garbage and trash cans, lying sick alone on a carton on one of Colon’s side walks — all that had been part of his young life. The beautiful smile on his face was his way of saying “thank you.”
At least, for that particular evening, these children were allowed to be children again.
As Christmas is again approaching and groups in various sectors are preparing for dole outs to less fortunate people, it is the joy of giving that should lead us to reflect on the gifts we give.
On Christmas, sharing of gifts and dole outs are surely welcome. During the rest of the year, however, the better gift we can give is to continue asking why the poor are poor and are growing in number so fast, why children like Joseph are roaming the streets. These questions should lead to actions that will contribute to building a better and just society for all.
May the gift of peace on Christmas fill our hearts!
Tags: christmas
