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ONCE again this year, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh students took part in the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal in association with Samaratin’s Purse.
Samaratin’s Purse is an international Christian relief and development organisation, meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine and disease. Putting together the shoeboxes enables them to send a gift directly into the hands of a needy boy or girl in Africa or Eastern Europe.
Launching the Scoil Eoin Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal were, from left, back: Mrs. Carol Anne O’Donoghue Student Council Co ordinator, Aoibheann Griffin, Eimear Litchfield, Mengyao Ni, Katie McEvoy, Grace O’Mahoney and Dan Enright. Front: Matas Balsys, Jake Moriarty, Katie Prendiville, Faith Russell, Ciara O’Mahony and Jack Doyle.
Last year 170,000 shoeboxes were delivered to children in eleven countries including Romania, Transnistria, Kosonva, Ukraine, Albania, Burundi, Congo,Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Kenya! If all the shoeboxes were piled on top of each other, they would be the height of 62 Eiffel Towers.
Thanks to extra donations given in last year’s Shoebox appeal, Team Hope has also been able to fund projects in nine countries in Africa and Eastern Europe.
The students of Scoil Eoin filled old shoe boxes with toys, educational supplies, hygiene items and much more including hats, scarves and clothing. The hardworking Scoil Eoin Student Council members along with their co ordinator Carol Anne O’Donoghue collected and checked all the boxes.
In total this year, Scoil Eoin donated 310 boxes and €921. This simple act of generosity gives hope to children caught in the midst of wars, natural disasters and extreme poverty. Hopefully this will show them that they have not been forgotten.
For some of these children, it will be their first time to receive a present. For these families who are living on less than €1 a day, Christmas is just another ordinary day – nothing special, no Christmas tree, no presents.
But these shoeboxes will bring a little hope, a lot of laughter and smiles for children who have very little. The boxes will be delivered to many countries all across Africa and Eastern Europe. To see videos of the children receiving their shoeboxes last year please log on to Teamhope.ie. Well done to all involved.
