Once again, Rotarians and friends showed their support for communities in difficult areas, where a gift from far away means a great deal.

The donations that were made enabled two Christmas fun-days to take place- firstly in Zambia, and secondly in the DRC, and then the providing of Shoeboxes which will be sent to Romania, Moldova and hopefully Ukraine also.

Firstly- Kanyama Free Baptist Community School, Lusaka Zambia, and a thank you note from the Headteacher;

Hello,

As Free Baptist Community School, we want to shout out a huge thank you to our incredible donors! Thanks to your generosity, our community school hosted an unforgettable fun day!  Our children shone bright, performing poems, dances, and songs in front of friends and family. And to top it off, they enjoyed yummy treats like drinks, bananas, sweets, and snacks. The smiles on their faces said it all.  Your support brings joy and opportunities to these young stars. We’re so grateful for your kindness. You’ve made a real difference in our school community.

Thank you again for helping make it happen!”

Beston Chilemalema, Headteacher, Kanyama Free Baptist Community School

And secondly;

Kimbilio Primary School, Luowashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

From the Kimbilio Director at the school- Carine Bahati Nono;

Hello Dear friends.

The Kimbilio’s children, the students and the teachers really appreciated your generosity again for help at this special time.

It has been a culture for us to received gifts for Christmas because of your kindness.  May God bless you for everything you are doing for us. For most of the children, it has been their first time to received presents since they have been learning at Kimbilio’s school.

We managed to organised the presence of a Father Christmas, one of the Kimbilio’s children did that. And after games with singing and dancing, distributed to each child a package of sweets, biscuits and juice.

Thank you from our hearts.

Carine Bahati Nono,

Kimbilio Director, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Shoeboxes.

Donations made it possible for us to spend just over £850 at Poundland and Aldi, which made approximately 123 boxes. With notable contributions of boxes from the Morgan packaging plant at Wedges Mills, and also their Compton division (Sylvia and Derek’s daughter Penny and granddaughter Ella) which between them produced 70 boxes

Our friends at Bethel Christian Fellowship Church in West Bromwich this year filled 45 boxes and made cash donations of £255 enabling a further 40 boxes to be completed- a grand total of 85 boxes!

Rotarian Julie Hickman and family once again filled an incredible 30 boxes also which brings our total this year to 308 boxes.

Wonderful.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed.