When you realize just how little a “child in need” wants for, you also realize just how much you have to give. Perspective is everything.
Poverty is like a punishment for a crime you didn’t commit, especially when we look at the children who suffer these circumstances.
Every single child deserves to be loved, to be taken care of… and to enjoy Christmas time.
The Santa Shoe Box, is an awesome initiative created by Kidz2Kidz that aims to give underprivileged kids just that! Love, care & an amazing Christmas.
The Project is an inspiring community initiative, that collects uniquely personalised gifts for underprivileged children. Equally, the project is about parents teaching their own children the Joy of Giving.
The success of the Project can largely be attributed to its personal nature – donors give gifts to children whose names, ages and genders are known.
Just today Bianca Lee Juchau, a donor of the cause, posted a photo of what her Santa Shoebox recipient wanted for Christmas, and the request was just heartbreaking.
14 year old Rivaldo had asked for underarm roll-on, underarm spray, new underwear and a pair of new shoes while 4 year old Sakeena, her other Santa Shoebox recipient had simple asked for a yoyo, pens and a new dress. Requests that are so far more simple than what most kids their age would be asking for.
Bianca posted the requests with an urge to all her friends to assist with the cause.
“When you get a note for a request for santa shoeboxes and this is what the children ask for
💔”
“I can assure you that 99% of my friends on my FB page could help towards making a shoebox for someone less fortunate. This little girls box will cost me less than R100 and to this little girl it’ll be the biggest blessing ever
❤️”
“I urge you all to please reach out to those less fortunate than you, Spread the love, that this country so desperately needs..”
“Whether it’s giving a child in need a few items, or giving the local car guard a little bag of treats for his Christmas lunch with his family, by paying it forward, you are contributing a little more to humanity!”
“BE THE CHANGE
The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 with a humble 180 shoeboxes. In 10 years it has grown in leaps and bounds, with the number of Santa Shoeboxes donated reaching a total of 652 180. The shoeboxes are distributed to more than 1000 recipient facilities each year, through more than 60 satellites around South Africa and Namibia.
The project is supported by an extensive network of volunteers across South Africa and Namibia – kind-hearted people who give freely of their time, energy and expertise without remuneration. It also relies on the generous backing of various corporate sponsors pledging monetary or pro bono support. Many companies, involving their staff members pledge Santa Shoeboxes as part of their Corporate Social Investment programmes.
The Santa Shoebox’s main focus are Children from socially vulnerable backgrounds who would otherwise not receive anything at Christmas time. Applications for children happen from February every year & the team go to great lengths to visit & screen the facilities to ensure the boxes go to where they are needed most… more than 40% of all the boxes go to rural children who have mostly, never experienced christmas.
“For most of these children this will be the first time they ever receive a christmas gift.”
The easiest way to get involved is to visit www.santashoebox.org.za & follow the easy steps. The project are also in need of many volunteers around Drop Off time (end of October) – registration for volunteers also happen through the website.
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