CHRISTMAS SEEMS to be coming round earlier and earlier each year, but for the children at Vilamoura International school, this year they are making preparations to give the children of Africa a happier Yuletide.
In conjunction with the Samaritan’s Purse charity, the pupils have been busy for weeks buying presents, writing cards, finding, and in some cases making shoeboxes to send off filled with goodies to children who, without them, may not have anything to open on Christmas Day.
The International Evangelical Church at Vale Judeu approached the school for help in supporting the charity, and without a second thought the teachers and pupils set about creating Christmas presents worthy of Santa’s very own elves.
The school’s 600 pupils, ranging from two-and-a-half to 18-year-olds have really taken the project to their hearts. Principal, Paula Ferreira was keen to take up the project as it tied in with their theme for the term of inter-dependency. “We realise that we are not an island, we can’t live without others so we must contribute to the world as a whole and through this project we hope to do so. Not only has it helped to teach the children this, but it has brought a heightened sense of camaraderie to the school, we’ve got the older kids coming over to help out the younger ones, its been great.”
The school has wrapped over 400 boxes which will be winging their way to African children in the coming weeks.
If you would like more information about Samaritan’s Purse projects please visit their website at www.samaritanspurse.uk.com
