As the end of the year approaches, bringing the Christmas holidays along with it, we decided to highlight all the organizations which put on different events to make the poorest and most disenfranchised children smile during this time of celebration, joy, and wonder.
Even in developed countries, some children are still deprived of a good meal and presents at Christmas, because of a lack of funds. Various organizations throughout the world are helping make these children happy for one special evening.
Putting a smile back onto the faces of sick children
Created in 1946, “Noël des déshérités” (“Underprivileged Christmas”), now known as “Noël Heureux” (“A Happy Christmas”), has the goal of reaching 25,000 children per year. It focuses on distributing personalized presents to children who have to spend Christmas in hospitals or other medical facilities. In addition, they help other charity and scholarly organizations to create their traditional Christmas tree, and many families receive gift cards and basic necessities.
Noël Magique (“A Magic Christmas”) puts the Internet to work, letting people leave messages on its website for hospitalized children in France, Belgium, and Luxemburg. Every message adds 1 Euro to the toy collection in Santa Claus’ bag, which are distributed on Christmas night, along with the encouraging and comforting messages.
This way, the children feel surrounded by love and can forget their illness for a while, feeling the magic of Christmas like other children, whether they’re in a wheelchair, a hospital, or next to the fireplace in their own home.
Forgetting financial instability for an evening
Organizations are working to provide presents and good meals for children, so that they can experience the Christmas of their dreams, despite their lack of funds.
This year, Global Hand is leading a project in Kenya to bring present to street children in Nairobi. Clothes, medicine, sleeping bags, and food are provided. The on-site organization, The Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, is also working with these children and their families during this time of sharing and helping one another.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Houston Children’s Charity is organizing a huge distribution of toys, as they do every year, as well as a Christmas party where Santa Claus makes an appearance (of course!). A buffet with unlimited hamburgers and sundaes is also provided.
In Geneva, Un Enfant-Un Cadeau (One Child, One Gift) is planning concerts and shows where the admission price is a gift. As a unifying initiative, these presents are then redistributed to underprivileged children in the area.
Uncommon initiatives
Samaritan’s Purse works with an entirely different concept: the shoebox gift! Anyone can fill a shoebox with presents, which will then be sent to underprivileged children around the world. This way, children can pick out gifts for other, less fortunate children, making charity work from a very young age.
If you live in the United States and would like to wear Santa’s hat this year, BeanElf.org lets you play by replying to letters sent by children in need with a wonderful gift.
Another idea from Save the Children, which has created an online platform where people can buy Christmas gifts for their family and friends. For every gift or card purchased, the money is passed on to support one of the organization’s projects.
Finally, Vision du Monde (A Vision of the World) lets you send a gift to an underprivileged family. This way, you can buy chickens or a sheep for a family in need so that they can feed their children and fulfill their own needs.
Go to boutique-solidaire.com, to make your Christmas purchases support a good cause by helping all of these organizations.
And of course, you can always donate to Humanium and sponsor a child by clicking HERE.
All of us here at Humanium wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!
The Humanium Team
Written by : Karen Gradia Translated by : Allison Charette |
