Tommy Wilson: Give a little to gain a lot

An attitude of gratitude goes a long way, especially at Christmas.

For many, this is the time of year to give a little to those who don't have a lot in life to be joyful about, and it feels good when you know that someone somewhere out there is going to get a lot out of what we give.

Sadly there are a silent cross-section of society who have a lot more than most of us, yet they choose not to share their surplus.

Sure the generosity of spirit shown by individuals, companies and community groups towards foodbanks is admirable, and may the mountains of kai be multiplied for those whose cupboards are bare.

But for some who have the means but can't seem to find the pathway to their pockets, this is the time of year to give a little and gain a lot back.

Too often the problem of poverty is pigeon-holed in the too-hard basket, to be solved by social service agents and the Salvation Army. Or it is seen as a cultural if not racial imbalance of wealth.

"It's their fault we got nothing - why should I help when they (non Maori) got heaps" is something I hear a lot when counselling clients and listening to their naive perceptions about poverty.

For many Maori organisations and individuals, who also have tasted success and have a surplus in life to share, there seems to be the same padlock on their pockets.

Unfortunately - as they sidestep the opportunity to give, they also sidestep the issue of poverty, with a mindset that it is a Pakeha problem to solve.

In the social service organisation I am involved with, almost all of our clients are Maori, yet we have only had one Maori wahine walk in and give a little when many more could.

And for that gesture Nanny Tuki, you stole our hearts and our puku, with the Easter Eggs you brought in last April.

On the other side of the generosity and genetics ledger, we have had random acts of kindness almost on a weekly basis, by caring community members who have a little extra and give it unconditionally.

They say that mana can only be gained by giving to others and if the currency of success we measure in one's life is mana - as our tikanga suggests it is - then perhaps we need to start showing a pathway for our people to follow, with an attitude of gratitude that surpasses any side step of blame?

Next Monday is the annual highlight of the year for our staff at Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services. It is our Christmas kai, and we all get to play Hanakoko (Santa Claus) for 160 whanau who will not have a Christmas to celebrate like most of us.

For some they will be sleeping rough without a roof over their heads to have a Christmas in, and for those at the frontline looking for a lifeline of hope for them, this is the time of the year when we don't have to send them away with a voucher for a food parcel, or a phone number for a refuge or night shelter.

Or look them in the face when there is no room at the inn.

Ask anyone who works in the social service sector and they will tell you about the cold reality of sending someone out into the night to sleep rough.

It has an effect after a while, and it can be almost as hard to deal with as it is for those you are trying to help.

Housing is a human right and in my opinion if we can make it a law for our tamariki to have an education and attend school, then surely we can make it a law for them to have somewhere warm and safe to sleep in.

Poverty at Christmas time is one that can be highlighted and then helped if we all give a little, and in doing so, learning what it is like to walk in the shoes of social workers and the Salvation Army.

Poverty should not be an unspoken truth, lost like a present that never shows up inside a stocking, in a house that is as far away from reality as Santa is himself.

For many of the 160 who we will spoil next Monday - courtesy of Santa Carrus, their season of joy and generosity is all about survival.

So if you are passing the Greerton Hall next Monday morning, or pass your local foodbank or Salvation Army Oasis - give a little to gain a lot.

Do your soul a favour this Christmas and take a chance with kindness.

-broblack@xtra.co.nz

Tommy Wilson is a best-selling author and local writer