Blog

Our most recent project in Kenya is working in an area inhabited by the Kamba community. 50% of the community is made up of children and most families eat what they grown in their own gardens. But the land there is dry and the rain is unreliable so food is not plentiful and children’s health suffers because of the lack of nutrition, clean drinking water and sanitation.

We are hoping to start a Christmas Shoebox Appeal checking centre team in Athlone! We are looking for local volunteer coordinators to help lead a team of volunteers to make the Christmas Shoebox Appeal happen!

Thank you – behind every box is a child who you have helped make smile. Read our full THANK YOU here.

Last year, with your help, we sent a phenomenal 173,563 thank you's! Christmas Shoebox gifts to children across 12 countries in Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Here you can read the stories from some of the children, see how much your Christmas Shoebox gift really meant to them and how it brought joy, happiness and hope to their lives.

One year ago this week, Russia invaded Ukraine, driving millions from their homes, destroying cities and beginning a war which, 12 months on, appears to have no end in sight. Read about the work that Team Hope have been doing to support displaced Ukrainians and how we will assist with the longer term needs now developing for the many people who fled their homes at short notice and need help adapting to new realities.

Read the stories of the families assisted by Team Hope through our partners in Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Transnistria in the year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Your Christmas Shoeboxes left in huge shipping containers from every corner of the country in November and December! Every year they journey across land and sea to meet the children who will love them! We are beyond delighted that so many children have been sent given these amazing gifts of love and we can't wait to share their stories with you. Have a look through the grid below to find out where your Christmas Shoebox has gone

The children who receive your shoeboxes come from communities affected by poverty where they often face deep challenges. Communities often struggle with issues like a lack of clean water, the inability to provide balanced, nutritious meals each day,  poor healthcare, low incomes and exclusion. That’s why the shoeboxes that they receive make such a difference! 

The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal holds a special place in my heart. I hope that every parent in Ireland encourages their child to create a shoebox for another child, which will have a lasting positive impact on your child's wellbeing and encourage a spirit of volunteerism and giving to others for many years to come.