By Angie Sullivan | Cofounder, Project Leader
GRACE Christmas Wish List Responses Reveal More About Children Than a Desired Toy
One of our mothers didn’t know the birthdays of her three children. I was astonished. “The poor don’t celebrate birthdays”, she said. Continuing, “it is just another day to survive.” We celebrate birthdays every month at our family resource centers. Cake, ice cream and a gift are simple acts of kindness to express our gratitude for them. More importantly, to make an opportunity to express our love for them as a person of great worth and value.
For most children of our world, Christmas is a joyful time of hope and filled with dreams anticipating gifts from loved ones. Even the idea of Santa Claus instills a subconsciousness that our dreams can come true as we share our desire for specific gifts with friends and family members to awake on Christmas morning to a new reality. We advance into adulthood experiencing a hopefulness as simplistic dreams came true. Reality is some dreams are shattered and children grow into hopeless adults with a severed hope. I was reminded of this hopelessness as I witnessed varied levels of excitement and dismay of the children attending GRACE programs as they completed a Christmas wish list with intentionally leaving questions unanswered or responding absent of expectation.
Wish List Responses
The “I want…” responses included ‘toys’, ‘gift’, watches, wallets, robot cars (transformers), remote control cars, purses, Barbie dolls, Lego block sets, bicycles, scooters, waist bags (fanny packs), watercolor paint, books, clothes, shoes, computers, phones, sketch books, school supplies, volleyballs, badminton sets, jump ropes, stuffed animals, plush dolls, backpacks, drum sets, pencil case, cameras, suitcase, Playdough sets, piggy bank, guitar, microphone, Elsa, to be a doctor, and ‘lots of love’. Sounds pretty typical of children ages three to sixteen.
Collectively, most of the children “need” school supplies. Many of the children responded with a few items listed as other children’s wants including clothes, shoes, backpacks, volleyballs, and phones. Additional responses to “I need…” included language learning sets, money, a Christmas tree, to see an eye doctor, and a bed.
It’s the “I would really love…” responses that brought our staff to tears of laughter and sorrow.
“...my mother to come back for me.”“...my mom back.”“...for my parents to have happiness.”“...to visit the sea with my mother and aunt.”“...to visit my grandmother.”“...my parents to reunite.”“...my parents to fall in love.”“...my parents have much love.”“...to have parents.”“...to have a happy family.”“...happiness.”“...for my parents to not talk too much. They are boring.”“...for life to be better than now.”“...for my parents to stop drinking alcohol and fighting.”“...for my parents to stop fighting.”“...for my parents to stop correcting me.”“...to have love.”“...for this (wish list) to be real.”“...for my parents to love me.”“...to go on a trip with my parents.”“...when parents talk with good words (not rude).”“...for my parents to have money to build a house.”“...to keep to myself.”“...to go on a vacation/island/cruise.”“...to go with you.”“...to be with you.”“...I do not have a clue.”“...to decide what I want to be when I grow up.”“...everything I write (wish list) becomes true.”“...you come to me.”“...to go to the zoo.”“...to play with Barbie.”“...this comes true.”“...my true love comes to me on Christmas day.”“...having a scholarship.”“...to have chocolate every day and money every week.”“...to have a Christmas party.”“...playing badminton and volleyball.”“...to go to university.”“...swimming.”“...hope my parents buy many toys for me.”“...for my parents to not talk too much.”“...to meet Santa Claus.”“...dreams come true.”“...to have everything Elsa.”“...to see a waterfall.”Santa Plans to Visit the GRACE Children in Thailand
Santa Claus will be visiting the children at GRACE family resource centers a little later this year. He set aside time in early January to share in the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. Santa is bringing gifts, making wishes come true, instilling hope and sharing about the greatest of gifts - the birth of Jesus Christ. Yes, Santa is coming to GRACE to celebrate the birth of the Savior.
The GRACE staff will be busy wrapping gifts and preparing goodies for the celebration. Jon and I (Angie) will travel back to Thailand the day after Christmas. We have empty luggage to fill with gifts from generous donors and sponsors. Gifts of candy, school supplies, personal hygiene supplies and wish list items will be given to each child.
Donations through GlobalGiving help, too. Thank you for continuing to support GRACE in Thailand!
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By Jon & Angie Sullivan | Co-founders
By Angie Sullivan | Co-founder of GRACE, Project Leader
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