All set for Gaya Christmas launch

Gaya Street tonight will be in full Christmas mood with the launch of the annual Gaya Christmas Celebration by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman at Lintasan Deasoka.

Yesterday workers and volunteers were putting the finishing touches to the stage and decorations, as well as the nativity hut and a huge Christmas tree, while electricians were testing out the multi-sized bulbs that would light up Gaya Street over the next four nights.

Choirs and performers from the various Christian denominations were also carrying out rehearsals for the skit, dance or song items that they would be performing nightly.

“We have done all we can and I dare say that we will be able to put up a wonderful Gaya Christmas this year,” said organising chairman, Rev Eric Ling of the Anglican Diocese who are the lead organisers this year.

“There is an elaborate programme that will cater for all – and the children and youth have not been left out as there are performances by them as well.

At Block A Christian groups as well as non-governmental organisations would be setting up stalls to exhibit the services they provide, be it religious or community-related.

Among the NGOs are Kinabalu Pink Ribbon and Kasih, the group that provides AIDs support services, and the Sabah Prison Fellowship.

Charitable Christian organisations include the Rumah Agape Kundasang, Ranau Literacy Class and Tadika Ceria in Kg Sonsogon Magandai, a remote village in Kota Marudu.

The first two centres help to cater for children of migrant children found in the Kundasang area, while Tadika Ceria is a small pre-school in the wilderness with some 40 children from the Kg Sonsogon Magandai area getting a taste of early education.

All three depend on public funds and volunteerism to manage its activities. They would be the recipients of donations collected from members of the public over the four-night celebration.

“In addition, together with Kasih and Pink Ribbon, they would be presented with money collected plus a generous RM10,000 donation from Maxis Berhad,” added Eric who is senior Pastor at the Church of Good Samaritan in Kepayan.

The Hawker Stalls which would occupy Blocks B, C and D would be selling all sorts of things with food and beverage topping the list. These stall put up by members of the Christian groups as well as the normal hawkers would also be selling toys, decorations, clothes and other consumer durables.

Children below the age of 12 would be handed out goody bags with items sponsored by Sabah International Dairies, Simply Chocolate, C&F Enterprise and Tong Guan Food Industries.

Tonight’s launching will also see a fireworks display.

There will be Christmas carols sung by a combined Anglican Choir while local singer Esther Clement will lead the solo performances which include Chong Zoy Yee and Marcell.

The Gaya Street Celebration is jointly organised by the Sabah Council of Churches and Kota Kinabalu City Hall. It started in 2005 and has since been held annually and is one of the more popular street events in the State.

Thousands of people from all walks of life as well as tourists flock to Gaya Street to be part of the event. They enjoy the stage programmes or just prefer to seek bargains and novelties at the hawker stalls.

The life-sized Nativity Hut, depicting the manger where Jesus Christ was born more than 2000 years ago, and the huge, brightly-lit Christmas tree nearby are also attractions for those who come armed with cameras to pose and take photographs.

Gaya Street will be brightly lit up during the four nights with coloured lights, said Rev Eric who is the head Pastor at the Church of the Good Samaritan.

Source: New Sabah Times