Gifts to Share - a call for Christmas donations

'Tis the Season to be Jolly!' and I have had a few offers from friends overseas to pass on some Christmas Cheer to strangers in Kolkata! It is a wonderful feeling that there are some positive and beautiful gifts from a festive holiday that has so successfully been captured by mass consumerism...So a huge thank you! I plan to use the donations to distribute some blankets, fruit, soap and food to those who most need it, but of course an open to any other suggestions of toys or clothes as well. There many single mothers, young children, elderly, sick and disabled people who live on the streets, and although winter provides the dryness absent in the floods of the monsoon, the evenings are cold and there are many who are very hungry. I am currently volunteering in a extremely basic clinic at one of Kolkata's main train stations where many of the city's poor and homeless live. This means that I am in a perfect position to distribute a few items to those who would really appreciate the offers. A little can go a really really long way, so even if it is just a couple of dollars, pounds or rupiah it can be used well... here is a list of some basic commodity prices:

a single fleece blanket: 200 rupees ($4.30; 2.64 GBP)
rice and lentils: 30 rupees (65 cents; 40 pence)
one egg roll: 8 rupees (17 cents; 10 pence)
two tangerines: 10 rupees (21 cents; 13 pence)
one bar of dettol soap: 18 rupees (38 cents; 23 pence)

This means that for a total of $5.70 or 3.50 GBP we can give someone a really useful and fulfilling gift.

If you feel like contributing to this Christmas in Kolkata there is a 'Help to Help' option on this blog, which leads directly to a paypal account.

Thank you! And have a Happy Holiday where ever you are!

Much Peace