Celebrating Children Around the World
By Amanda DeWitt
No matter where you live in the world, children know how to celebrate.
In the toughest places, a child’s eyes light up at the sight of a stuffed toy or new soccer ball — the first they may have ever received. They laugh as they enjoy a meal, free from worry about what they will eat today. They snuggle a soft blanket, their very own to keep them warm and secure in the cold.
Here are a few children celebrating the humanitarian gifts provided by generous people like you.
For many children hunger is a constant. They go to bed hungry and wake up each day wondering what they will eat. Local staff teams were able to provide meals to indigenous communities in the Amazon mountains — bringing smiles to children’s faces as they no longer worried about food.
For displaced children across the Middle East, getting an education is not easy. The gift of school supplies caused cheers from an entire classroom as students received the materials they needed to learn and build a brighter future.
Most children in the toughest places have never had a ball or other athletic equipment. Our partners in Zambia provided children with their very own soccer ball along with other lifesaving critical aid, bringing joy and hours of fun to each of them.
Today, millions of children worldwide lack access to vision care. They cannot afford — or even access — a pair of eyeglasses. This makes learning and other daily tasks challenging. Thanks to people like you, children in El Salvador received eyeglasses and heard about God’s love for them.
For children who have lost everything due to war, a stuffed animal and a backpack are so meaningful. Most have never enjoyed a toy of their own. For boys like this one in the Middle East, simple items like this provide a sense of security and reflect God’s care for them.
Without a wheelchair children may spend most of their days inside, relying on family or friends to carry them. They may not be able to attend school or play with friends. But through the gift of a wheelchair, boys like this one are able to gain a sense of independence, go back to school, and even participate in sports and other activities!
Her very first pair of bright pink shoes! For families who live along riverbeds, shoes that can be worn in water and on various terrains are so helpful. Most families cannot afford shoes. Children must walk around barefoot, leaving them susceptible to cuts and infections. The gift of shoes, especially colorful ones, puts a smile on their face.
To her it is so much more than just a blanket. A beautiful, handmade quilt like this one gives her a sense of security and dignity. It is a pallet to lay on at night and a source of warmth in the cold. A blanket can be used as a dinner table or to help mark a family’s space in a refugee camp. Many children cherish such a gift for years to come!
No matter where you are in the world, children love the little things. The gift of humanitarian aid makes them feel valued and helps show them that God loves them and cares about their needs. It gives them a reason to celebrate — any day of the year.
Make the Maximum Impact for Children and Families
Despite all the uncertainties and challenges going on in our world today, God is at work. He sees the suffering people are facing. And He wants to use people like you to make a real, tangible difference — both physically and spiritually. You can help by making the maximum impact to relieve suffering and reveal hope to nearly 2 million people next year!
Published December 16, 2024
Amanda is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Gift for Leadership, Kindred Spirit, and Christianity Today publications. She holds a M.A. in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary.
