Christmas has been celebrated for over 2000 years. And to do this, some do not skimp on means, even going so far as to go into debt. What if we changed?
“My children got new clothes for the Christmas party, we ate a hearty meal. Meat, peas, etc. And towards the evening, we went to the beach,” says Edmond, a resident of Bwiza. He adds that his wife also had a new loincloth. “In any case, I made sure that no one made fun of me. I made the difference as usual,” he boasts. “Do you have any means to do this? It’s still expensive! », I point out, because I know that he is currently unemployed and has become a commission agent.
With this question, Edmond changes his tone: “Yes. I took out loans from friends. I will pay them back once I get a commission. And you know, our job is really good. You can suddenly have a commission of more than ten million BIF. You see it’s easy to repay. »
For this father of four children, the end of year holidays must be celebrated in an exceptional way. “My friend, Christmas and Happy New Year are celebrated. It is a habit. When you finish the 12 months alive, it’s not just anything. A year is long. We have to spend to celebrate,” he tries to convince me.
Edmond is not the only one preparing for these holidays. Another man, a state civil servant, tells me that he requested a bank overdraft for these holidays. He and his family plan to go to Mugara, in the thermal waters of Rumonge in the south of the country for the whole weekend. Without a personal vehicle, he plans to rent a car for two days. Not including hotel costs, food, etc.
As for December’s salary, he says he already has it in his pocket. “And since it cannot suffice for my forecasts, that is why I requested an overdraft. And I find that I also have to ask a friend for some money to complete it. My children can’t tolerate not celebrating. I would have no explanations to give as a parent,” he argues.
And the reimbursement?
Asked how he will repay these loans, he seems hesitant. After a few minutes of silence, he replied: “I will make arrangements. »
My two sources are not the only ones who think this way. There are thousands of Burundians who are fighting, doing all possible acrobatics to celebrate these end-of-year holidays. And not with their means, but with credits and overdrafts.
Shouldn’t we think about the future, and analyze the current economic situation before embarking on huge expenses for these holidays. For civil servants, salaries for the month of December often fall before the 25th. And there, to receive another salary, you have to wait 35 days, or even 40 days. Is it not from these same civil servants that we often hear that “the month of January has more than 35 days. »
Before celebrating the end of year holidays in an exceptional way, take the time to think about this. As for those who claim that their children are used to it, who ultimately decides? Children or parents? Who should plan, prepare a good future for themselves?
By leading to exceptional, uncontrolled expenses for these holidays, is this the best way to educate our children, to prepare them for the future?
What if you celebrated soberly so as not to ruin yourself? To the wise…
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