On Christmas Eve day we took all those toys that were given to us on my birthday to donate to children for Christmas. It was an enlightened experience to say the least. We traveled to Trindade, Brazil early that morning and arrived at this very nice spiritual center that my wife was recommended to help. A very organized event that this center has been doing for the local community for the past 15 years. The first hour or so was spent listening to music, praying and a briefing on what to expect in the neighborhoods we would be going to. A simple do's and don'ts in the neighborhood and how much time we would stay at each house.
There was a lot of hustle and bustle among all the organizers finishing up last minute preparations for the kids arrival at the center. A requirement for the help they receive from the center is to attend events and I believe there is also some education involved. I don't think its too much to ask from these people and it seems that religion is not a huge part of it. Mainly getting these families out of the neighborhoods and providing a safe place they can go to. Each of these children wrote a letter asking for specific items. These items ranged from a bicycle to a toy car. All the normal things a boy and girl would ask for on their birthday and Christmas. The family also receives a huge bag of food. Items include: rice, chicken, cooking oil, snacks, etc. A great deal of food that will last them a few days.
One of the workers directed us to a room where they had all the toys organized by family. A lot of work went into getting these items and having them ready for when the kids arrived to give them. The bus finally pulled up and all the happy kids departed the bus. They were greeted with singing and hugs from the organizers. What an experience for these kids! The kids were fed breakfast and were playing in the courtyard until it was time to go. The gifts were arranged in big bags and the kids were to open them at home. Us volunteers were sent out to wait by our cars to transport the kids home. I believe there was about 36 cars involved in this mass transit. As the kids walked out into the parking lot, they were yelling to their friends "Did you get what you wanted?" and "Yes, did you?" The excitement was wonderful and these kids were having a blast.
We ended up being the extra car transporting one of the center's organizers, extra food and the massive amount of toys that we brought with us. Since the kids had already asked for specific stuff, our toys were backup and we donated the rest after we were done. The line of cars driving to this neighborhood on the outskirts of town was impressive. Once in the neighborhood we split up into groups and started going door to door.
The first house was a small boy and girl who got a toy truck and bicycle. A very simple little home and the mother was pressure cooking beans. They smelled delicious. Each house was small talk, praising the kids on their new toys and a quick prayer. We also gave that huge bag of food to them. The next house was a little different with a small boy and a pregnant teenager. Very nice people and our children got to see a chicken lay an egg. There was two chickens tied together and you could tell that this was going to be their dinner that night. The next place we visited was the center's small outreach house in the neighborhood. Its a place for the kids to come and play. We then went back to the center to pick up more toys and returned to deliver 3 bicycles to three kids. What an amazing experience!
The work this center does is amazing! It was sad to see the families in the neighborhood that didn't receive anything, but they were not willing to do their part by attending the spiritual center. One neighbor actually called my wife over and asked for a bag of food. The rules were clear on who got the food, but my kind hearted wife gave one of our toys to a very small child in that house. You can't help them all and these people have the same opportunity to start attending the spiritual center. This is a very poor community and there is definitely drugs in the neighborhood. I can also assume that there is also some very bad people that live here too.
In this whole experience I have realized that I am very grateful for what I have. The experience my kids got from doing this is also a great thing. Letting them see how good they have it and to see that not everyone lives like we do. A lot of parents shelter their children from the bad parts of life and I think it's better to expose them to it. Let them know that their is people suffering out there and to help when able. Not entirely a handout but a helping hand.
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