Stories from the 2022 Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Kuzma in Ukraine

This is Kuzma and he is four years old. Kuzma was so happy and excited even before he opened his Christmas Shoebox. Inside he found a treasure trove of gifts which he immediately started picking up to show everyone. He especially loved the toy football he found. He loves football!

Daniel in Burundi

This is Daniel and he is 5 years old. Daniel couldn’t wait until he got home to open his Christmas Shoebox, he opened it straight away. His face lit up when he found a watch. He always wanted a watch. He felt ‘very cool’. He couldn’t stop showing everyone and telling them the time. Daniel was so thankful for making his dream come true.

Ion in Transnistria

This is Ion and he is five years old. He lives with his sister, mother and grandmother. Ion was overjoyed at getting his Christmas Shoebox. He especially loved his toy cars. He was so surprised to get not one but five cars. He proudly and joyfully showed everyone his shoebox gifts.

Elijah in Burkina Faso

This is Elijah and he is 12 years old. He lives with his mum, his brother and his sister. Unfortunately, Elijah’s mother cannot afford to send him to school. He was however invited to the local school to receive his Christmas Shoebox which he loved so much! He is so grateful to the family that made his shoebox and everyone that works hard to give children life him such beautiful gifts. Thanks to the school supplies in his shoebox he will now be able to attend school.  One day Elijah would like to become an engineer.

Rebekah in D.R. Congo

This is Rebekah and she is 8 years old.  Rebekah couldn’t wait to open her Christmas Shoebox. She took out each gift and laid them all out in front of her. She was so happy to get copy books and pens which could then use for school. She was so thankful to the family in Ireland that made her Christmas Shoebox.

Amelia in Albania

Amelia in Albania is 3 years old. Amelia was in hospital, very sick with a very bad cold and flu. This picture was taken one day after she got to go home! She had such a big smile on her face saying thank you for her Christmas Shoebox. 

Tenele in Eswatini

This is Tenele. She is 14 and lives with her mother. Tenele has down syndrome which has unfortunately limited her from going to school. She was overjoyed at getting her Christmas shoebox. She especially loved her tennis ball which she uses to play with her friends at the Care Point located at Kwaluseni.

Nastia in Ukraine

This is Nastia and she is ten years old. Nastia couldn’t believe her Christmas Shoebox. So much love and thought had been put into it. In her shoebox she found a beautifully colourful hat which was hand knitted just for her. She was so grateful for her shoebox, especially the yummy marshmallows she found at the time of her shoebox!

Isaac in Rwanda

This is Isaac and he is 10 years old. He lives alone with his mother who lives with a disability. He felt so special the day he received his Christmas gifts. He especially loved the picture of the family from Ireland that donated online so he could receive his Christmas gift last year.

Rwanda is one of Team Hope’s partnering nations for the online element of the Christmas Shoeboxes Appeal. Our project partners in Rwanda place all the Christmas Shoebox gifs in beautifully hand sown schoolbags for each child.