On Christmas Day this year, dozens of children living at the Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Centre opened their presents from “Santa” as do millions in the U.S. and around the world.
But in their case, it’s not their parents who place the presents under the tree, but a longtime supporter of Bread and Water for Africa® who is their “Secret Santa,” providing a generous gift earmarked specifically for a “Christmas at Kabwata” party ensuring each child and youth receives at least one nice present and enjoys a festive Christmas meal with “mommy” Kabwata founder and director Angela Miyanda and all their “brothers and sisters.”
For most, if not all, of the children who call Kabwata their home, their very first Christmas Day there is magical.
First of all, they are likely opening the very first present they have ever received – much less one that arrived all the way from the North Pole – with so much excitement that their heart rate must be racing as they rip the beautiful wrapping paper to open a gift selected specially for them with no idea what may be inside.
Whatever it is, it surely a gift from the heart of our generous supporter that the child will never forget.
In Mwanza, Tanzania, it was a similar scene on Christmas Day at the orphanage operated by one of our newest partners, Watoto Wa Africa (WWA), made it a very special day after years of uncertainty about its entire future was erased thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® -- after all, what could be a better gift than a safe and loving home where the dozens of orphaned children receive three meals each day and warm bed to sleep in every night?
Among the children and youth living at the WWA orphanage is 15-year-old Benjamin who noted that “Christmas is the celebration that we celebrate for the birth of Jesus. I became happy that I played with my friends and received different gifts.”
Janet, 17, who is thankful to have a place to live and the opportunity to attend secondary school, commented, “On this day we celebrated together with our friends. We ate much and drank together…also we received many gifts!”
This Christmas, WWA director Joseph Kirutu reaffirmed his overarching mission for the orphanage saved from closure by the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® by saying, it is “to provide orphans and other vulnerable children with a childhood that they had never experienced and help them to become productive members of society.”
And as for our longtime volunteer spokesperson and the founder and director of the Lewa Children’s Home in Eldoret, Kenya, Phyllis Keino, puts it in her Christmas letter to our supporters this year:
“Every day I remind our orphan children how much your generous support has blessed us.
“Thank you for helping the children at the orphanages supported by Bread and Water for Africa® survive and have hope for a bright future.”
