By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Different traditions join together in the spirit of Christmas…
THERE will be no shortage of joy at Asylum Seekers Resource Centre’s Christmas party thanks to Tehana Ranatunga’s generosity.
Eschewing a 21st birthday party and gifts, the Endeavour Hills biotechnology student has requested donations to the ASRC’s festive celebration at its Dandenong office.
Ms Ranatunga is ensuring it will be quite a party for up to 100 asylum seeker families, volunteers and staff.
She’s helped organise a gumball machine, a photo booth, fun Santa hats and moustaches, and hampers and gifts for volunteers and more than 50 asylum seeker children.
In the meantime, local eatery Ginger Jones is cooking the halal turkey and halal lamb, and individuals are dropping off toys to the Lonsdale Street office.
“I’m touched there are so many generous people helping on this,” Ms Ranatunga said.
“It wouldn’t feel right to have a 21st when I could do this.”
ASRC office manager Mehtag Williams said she was impressed how someone so young could be so kind.
“We all said in the office that when we were 21, we didn’t have that sort of thought process.
“It’s really great to meet something like her.”
Ms Williams said most of her clients were Muslim but they wanted to take part in the traditionally Christian celebration.
“They really want to be part of Australian culture. Not one has said they don’t want to come to the party.”
She and her family embody the harmonious mixing of religions. Ms Williams as a Turkish-born Muslim, her husband is an English-born son of a Protestant priest, and her two children requested to be inducted Catholics.
“We like to embrace everything.
“Religion shouldn’t be a separation. If anything, it should bring people together.”
ASRC Dandenong manager Rosa Misitano said the party aimed to share the Christmas spirit.
“Religion doesn’t really become a factor. We all want the same thing – world peace would be a good thing.”
To donate, go to www.youcaring.com/asrc-asylum-seeker-resource-center-472680 or drop off gifts to 179 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong.
