Operation Christmas Child 2002

Operation Christmas Child is a Samaritan’s Purse project that shares the true meaning of Christmas with millions of poor, suffering and sick children around the world. Shoe boxes filled with small gifts and treats are distributed to children in 100 countries worldwide regardless of their nationality, political background or religious beliefs.

As in previous years, the school decided to get involved with the Operation Christmas Child Project again this year. During an assembly in October the children were reminded about the project and offered the opportunity to make a difference to a child at Christmas. There was an immediate response from the children and many expressed an interest in making their own shoe box. The children also watched a video showing pictures of children in Russia receiving their shoe boxes last Christmas. This provoked some very interesting discussions. Leaflets containing instructions were distributed.

The response was slow at first, with only a few shoe boxes arriving in school during the early part of November. However, by the 25^th November over 100 boxes were stored in the green room. Some of these boxes were shown to the children during a special assembly and everyone was amazed and delighted at the care and thought that had gone into putting such a special gift together. Even more exciting was the fact that some children said they still had boxes at home to bring into school. By the time Samaritan’s Purse came to collect our shoe boxes we had a total of 140!