Westfalia Orphanage Christmas Party 2014
On Saturday December 20, Sonrisasenperu hosted its 5th annual Westfalia Orphanage Christmas Party. It’s a day where the 114 orphans get a chance to feel like regular children and know that people really do care about them. These are the same kids who don’t have individual birthday parties, but have a ‘monthly’ party with all the kids whose birthdays fall in that month. So it was a big deal for them. A huge thanks to everybody who contributed through donations, gifts, food, or their time. It was an amazing day only made possible with help from you guys!
The Christmas party was even better than last year’s party. We had an amazing show with dancers, DJ, singing, dancing, games and prizes, face-painting, and Santa and helpers were handing out the gifts which the kids loved. We even had a magician this year. It was such a special day for the 114 orphans that live at the remote orphanage in Cieneguilla on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.
And of course we had our usual traditional turkey lunch (thanks for the help Sean!). It’s special because the children don’t eat a lot of meat due to a lack of funds, and especially not turkey.
Like every year, each child received two gifts and it was so rewarding to see the looks on their faces as they came up and collected them from Santa and his helpers. These aren’t kids who have bikes, cell phones, playstations, or toys we took for granted growing up so their faces showed how exciting it really was for them.
As well as those who got involved in the gift process I’d like to thank those that came out and spent time with the children. It meant a lot to them to spend such a great day with good people. A big shout out to Mahlon B for generously coming up to take some wonderful photos again this year (they’re the good ones mixed in with my mediocre ones!)
A big thank you to those who have helped us make this event so special. And thank you to all those who have donated funds, food, clothes, and their time over the year to these amazing children. For over 5 years now I have personally seen amazing changes in these children. They all come from terrible situations whether it be abuse, abandonment, from the streets, or simply that their families cannot afford to care for them. They come from all parts of Peru to join this big family. And they continually grow in character from shy and reserved children into loving, confident, caring, empathetic teenagers and adults. And this doesn’t occur simply from dropping off food or clothes but from constant contact and letting them know that people do care about them, and that they are worthwhile. And the children are well aware of the global help they receive and constantly ask about the people and countries that contribute. So thank you for making a difference in the lives of others.
Sonrisasenperu has some very important projects coming up for 2015 including helping on a HUGE water project which includes building a high capacity water filter and several large water towers to run clean water to every house and building at the orphanage (currently there is only one clean water point in the kitchen). This would put a stop to the use of contaminated river water. The project includes the planting of 100 fruit trees and drip irrigation to provide a self-sustaining food source for the orphanage. We will also be assisting in the upgrade of the childrens’ rundown, 25 year old accommodation. And of course we will continue to provide food and clothing for the 100+ orphans at Westfalia as well as other rural children in need.
If you want to help out you can send a donation or simply spread the word by copying this post onto your facebook or twitter.
Thanks for helping to make a difference!
Please enjoy some of the photos from the Christmas party below.
It makes me happy when I see so many smiling children. <3
Thanks to Sonrisasenperu for their good work. Best wishes for the future!
Mate, it looks like a great day again, with a lot of smiles and happy memories for the kids. Good luck with the water project, I still want a video of you dragging the tank up that hill we climbed! 😉
Thanks mate. But how can you take a photo if you’re on the other side of the water tank hauling it up the hill? 😛