A First Christmas

When Compassion’s supporters donate to the Christmas Appeal, the money is then spent on Christmas celebrations and gifts in our projects around the world. For some children, your generosity will have given them the first Christmas of their lives…

In a little suburb of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, not far from the noisy traffic of the town, time seemed to have stopped. From the Saksida Assemblies of God Church, jubilant praise music could be heard.

The presence of children in church that Thursday was not something unique; they were used to coming to the project on Thursdays. Yet their colourful uniforms and the presence of parents and officials showed that something special was taking place. The project was celebrating Christmas for the very first time.

Saksida Assemblies of God Church started its partnership with Compassion in August 2010. When Project BF141 started, 118 needy children were registered.

As a new project, Christmas was seized as an opportunity to show parents how much the project cares for the Compassion-assisted children, many of whom are from Muslim or animist families and therefore did not know what Christmas was. Even for those who are Christians, the word ‘Christmas’ has almost never been linked to such joyous celebration.

After a few speeches to start off the celebrations, the floor was given to the children. They presented a performance they had been working hard on for the past month. In front of the guests and parents, children showed their artistic talents through ballet dances and songs. Boys were in jean uniforms and girls in colourful dresses and skirts. They honoured the Saviour with their voices and dances.

After that, the time came to eat and drink. Plates were filled with macaroni and meat, a meal well appreciated by the families. Hands and forks were racing from dishes to mouths. Finally, cookies, candies, popcorn and gifts were offered and each child received his share with satisfaction. Large smiles spread across every face. For many of the children it was the very first Christmas gift they had ever received.

Parents were amazed. How can people living far away decide to support children they do not know and enable them to celebrate Christmas in this way? This was the question going through the mind of the families who were witnessing the celebration. Though parents could not provide their children with gifts at Christmas, the Compassion project gave them the best celebration of their lives. "I am very happy for the Christmas celebration today. May God help sponsors and donors to continue their support," one mother shared.

Handshakes and hugs ended the party with children looking with excitement to next Christmas 2011 when they can joyfully celebrate again.

By Paul Henri Kabore