MACAU (UCAN): Caritas Macau sent Christmas solidarity gifts to support 1,500 poor, disadvantaged local and foreign children according to Jornal O-Clarim, the Portuguese language weekly of the Diocese of Macau.
The “Joy for Children at Christmas” campaign, which started 20 years ago, raises donations for poor children ahead of Christmas from wealthy individuals and institutions,
About half of the gifts were sent to children in Macau, with the rest sent to children in Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan.
“This campaign is based on a simple appeal: to encourage people to donate 200 patacas [about US$25] towards the purchase of a Christmas gift,” explained Paul Pun, executive secretary of Caritas Macau.
Funds raised from the campaign will also be used to purchase school supplies for children of different ages, Pun said.
In Macau, the gifts were sent directly to children, while in other countries, local institutions are slated to receive funds, purchase, and distribute Christmas presents to children.
Apart from sending Christmas gifts to children, Caritas Macau organises about thirty Christmas-related activities, including for patients and elderly people in nursing homes.
“The birth of Jesus is celebrated with fellowship, sharing, and solidarity,” Pun said.
