Joseph Gomes (name changed), an 85-year-old retired security guard, walked slowly yet joyfully through the gates of Holy Rosary Church in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Living in a slum and struggling with a leg ailment, Gomes came with hope in his heart. “I cannot walk properly,” he told RVA. “But if I receive these gifts, I will have a good Christmas. I will be able to buy and eat good food.”
On December 16, Gomes was among 100 impoverished Christian families who gathered at the church to receive Christmas assistance from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP), Holy Rosary Conference, Tejgaon. Each family received Tk. 800 (about USD 6.50), one kilogram of pulao rice, one liter of soybean oil, and a pound of cake—simple provisions that carry deep meaning for families living in hardship. Nearly 2,000 poor Christians are estimated to live in Dhaka’s slums, and for many, such gestures restore hope and dignity during the festive season.
Stories of Gratitude and Struggle
Seventy-year-old widow Catherine Batti arrived with tears of gratitude. “I lost my son, and my daughter is also sick like me,” she shared. “I will buy pork on Christmas Day with the money I received.” Catherine depends on SVP’s monthly assistance of Tk. 500 (USD 4) for her medicines. “SVP is a blessing in my life,” she said.
Mira Dias, 75, has lived with one kidney for 31 years following surgery that required its removal. Widowed decades ago, she raised her daughter alone. “I am grateful to SVP because they collect money from kind and generous people and share it with us,” she said. “When I fall sick, they also help me with medical expenses.”
Blind and living in a slum, Mala Rosario recalled how SVP once helped her recover from severe constipation by providing Tk. 3,000 (USD 24) for treatment. “I am very grateful,” she said simply.
The Spirit of Giving
For many parishioners, Christmas is a time to share with those in need. “Every year, I limit my Christmas shopping to low-cost items and donate the rest to SVP,” said Mughati Rozario. “This gives me the greatest joy.”
Chayon Stephen Rozario, Secretary of SVP Tejgaon, explained that many poor Christians in Dhaka face immense hardship. “We listen to them and try to help, even if it is only a little,” he said. He noted that SVP has been active in Tejgaon since 1972, providing assistance three times a year—including at Christmas—and supporting medical and educational needs.
“This year, after Sunday Mass, we placed a donation box outside the church,” Chayon added. “We also approached kind individuals and organizations. With their support, we were able to distribute Christmas gifts to 100 needy families. Though small, these gifts mean a great deal at this special time.”
SVP’s Mission
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks to deepen the spiritual lives of its members and bear witness to Christ by sharing love with those who suffer. Its mission is to fight poverty, alleviate suffering, and serve all people regardless of caste, creed, color, or origin.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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