Hope, Opportunity for 3,200 kids in Eastern Europe

There may be povewrty. There may be hardship. There may be struggles.

But, Christmas especially is a time when we need to care for teh vulnerable.

In Ukraine we seek to bring tradition and joy in Ukraine.

Father Christmas (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter (Snegurochka) will be at Children’s Hearts party for 12 disabled children and their mums, making a return visit to another party for up to 400 poor and disadvantaged children. Even the teenage orphans get in on the joy. And finally a visit to the children's hospital for those who don’t have anyone to show them love. Everyone gets a gift, an abundance of sweets and opportunity to play games. Desperately poor families will receive a hamper filled with food and/or warm clothing.

At New Beginnings in western Ukraine, presents are prepared for all the children and young people and together they cook Christmas dinner, bake cakes, decorate rooms and spend an evening or even the whole night playing games and quizzes, with music and dance.

They will make a point of seeing the main Christmas tree in the town centre. New Year is celebrated in church before returning back home to continue the celebration round the table. There will be 10 children in the school dormitory,

13 children in the foster home and 59 children in their family programme. The children prepare a programme of activities with their teachers' help: one for New Year and one for Christmas. Great joy happens with competitions, games, children reciting poems and singing songs. The celebrations finish with a reception and presents for children (dependent on our partners financial situation). At the end of each programme a prayer of thanks is said.

Make Christmas that little bit special by offering your own sacrficial gift for teh chidlren and young people of Ukraine.

Merry Christmas!