Once again, we have reached the events of the winter holiday season. The month of December, and especially Advent and Christmas, is a time of expectation, hope and love, when we all become a little more introspective, more sensitive, more hopeful or even more despondent, depending on our personal capacities.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we have already prepared a number of surprises, with a succession of actions to help children and large families with several children. We also organised several events in the 3rd district, where we are based. Our organisation wants to do more for its immediate surroundings. They would like to set an example, to create a principle, a method, that if everyone in their immediate environment tries to become a dedicated and supportive person, then a comprehensive change can be achieved in the whole care system, starting from the bottom up. All in all, it is possible to live in a more complete, balanced world, free of social crises.

2011 is the Year of Volunteering in Europe, including Hungary. This has put the spotlight on the activities of the civil society and the main message of the year is related to this. It is impossible to solve social problems alone, but by joining forces, taking small steps and helping our environment at local level, we can bring about global change and empowerment in the world.

On 15 December, our volunteers delivered gifts, books and sweets to 60 children of the Szilágyi Erzsébet Children's Home in Békásmegyer, and on Saturday 17 December, they held a food distribution for 500 people in the courtyard of the Óbuda Family Assistance Centre. In addition to the usual hot meals, the families and elderly people of Óbuda received a generously stocked food aid parcel, which included fruit, preserves, tea, sweets, drinks and even soap. It was a pleasure to help people for whom, without this package, the festive table would be a table of deprivation.

Photos can be seen here:
Toy distribution at the Children's Home
Food distribution in Óbuda