May your Christmas be blessed by giving generously

Jesuits in Sri Lanka have worked through the organization called ‘Tireless Warriors of Compassion’ to raise funds and contribute to causes such as funding programmes for eight universities, preschools, montessories and teachers. The organization believes in wielding education as its weapon against ignorance and despair. It makes a humble request to open your wallets and support such worthy causes. The following is a release sent by ‘Tireless Warriors of Compassion’.
As the Christmas spirit twinkles in every corner, casting a glow of generosity and goodwill, I cannot help but think of Charles Dickens’ timeless masterpiece, A Christmas Carol. The specter of Scrooge, haunted by the ghosts of forgotten kindness and neglected charity, haunts my mind. It reminds me of a period not so far removed, the “Hungry Forties” of Dickens’ own time when the chasm between the opulent and the ostracized yawned wide, filled with the silent screams of the starving.
Just as the specter of Tiny Tim shook Scrooge’s soul, today, a similar specter haunts the land of Sri Lanka. Here, amidst the verdant beauty and ancient whispers of history, the echoes of hunger mingle with the laughter of children, a jarring dissonance that pierces the heart. It is for these children, whose eyes mirror the yearning for a full stomach and a brighter future that I plead with you on this holy season.
On behalf of the Jesuits in Sri Lanka, tireless warriors of compassion who wield education as their weapon against ignorance and despair, I implore you to open not just your wallets, but your hearts. Imagine a child, small and fragile, clutching a pencil instead of an empty bowl. Imagine the magic that unfolds as knowledge blossoms in their minds, replacing fear with the power to dream, and despair with the audacity to hope. This is the miracle the Jesuits weave, one child at a time, in their eight sprawling campuses and over numerous educational establishments scattered across the land.
In a nation scarred by divisions, the Jesuits stand as bridges, their commitment to reconciliation as bright as the Christmas star. Their transparency and accountability shine like a beacon of trust. This is why I, for years, have walked beside them, a humble companion in their noble quest.
So, friends, in this season of blessings, I beg you: let your generosity be the gift that grants a child the right to learn, to grow, to shine. Every contribution, big or small, is a spark that can ignite a future. Believe, as I do, that your kindness will ripple outwards, touching not just these children, but your own lives with an immeasurable grace.
May your Christmas be blessed with the joy of giving, the warmth of compassion, and the light of hope kindled by your generosity? Thank you, from the depths of my heart, for considering this plea. May God, and the Triple Gem, shower you with blessings in return. 
(Quintus Andradi)