Every year, ASWA hosts Christmas parties for orphans and needy children in Africa to provide them and their families with food and gifts. Throughout each year, children tell us their Christmas wishes and ASWA helps make these wishes become reality. Many of the children who participate in the Christmas wish program have experienced loss of family members, hunger and the dislocation and violence of war. Like children everywhere, their wishes are simple. They want the pleasure of hugging a new favorite toy, learning a new game or learning to read a book
Santa pAdvocacy a visit late last year to the Grand- Bassam orphanage in Ivory Coast to ensure that the spirit of the season reached these wonderful children. The young girls and boys received wrapped gifts and enjoyed the tradition of having their pictures taken on Santa's lap! The children of the orphanage surely felt the warmth and generosity that accompanies these Christmas traditions that are so familiar to many of us. The ASWA and Santa arrived at the orphanage to a crowd of surprised and joyful children. The heartwarming enthusiasm and excitement of the emotional children of Grand Bassam was unforgettable. In fact, when it came time for the children to calm down, the ASWA group was unable to appease their joyful adoration and the head of the orphanage had come out to help. However, she found it to be quite a challenge as well! The excitement continued into the day as ASWA handed out stuffed animals, building blocks and puzzles. Such pleasures are uncommon to the orphaned children who live day to day in a state of uncertainty.
The Christmas Wish Event event is part of an annual effort by ASWA that begins each year by asking African Children for their "wishes." By Christmas time, thanks to the generous support and funds from people like you, ASWA is able to make some of these wishes come true for many of the children.
We invite everyone to Sponsor a wish today and become a child's “Secret Santa”! .