Stories From Belarus

Shoebox Joy!

We recently had a team from the UK visit some shoebox distributions in Belarus. Here are some of the precious children they met:

These two young boys in a Belarus orphanage have impaired vision and our team were there when they opened their shoeboxes and carefully examined each item inside; either by holding them close to their faces, or by feeling them. They were delighted with their new gifts!

These three beautiful children in a remote Belarus village could not stop smiling after opening their shoeboxes. One received an inflatable football, and eventually we had to drag some of our team away from a game that quickly became quite competitive.

This young girl on the right was so overwhelmed by the generous gifts her friends were lifting out of their shoeboxes that she sat with her own box unopened, and an astonished hand over her mouth.

In a small remote village in Belarus, one boy almost fell off his chair laughing when his friend held up a blue sea cucumber with waving tentacles.

Minsk Outreach Event

“Salvation in Christ church in Minsk, Belarus organised a distribution for the students at a local technical school for children with disabilities. 35 children rejoiced greatly, when they opened their gift boxes. All those children were going through many hardships. Thanks to the Samaritan’s Purse, they experienced the moment of joy and happiness. The children, who often experienced rejection, accepted everything with opened hearts and rejoiced. Volunteers learnt so much from their childlike faith and love.”

– Local Church Partner

Galina’s Story

Galina is a teacher in an orphanage in Brest, Belarus. Every Christmas Operation Christmas Child volunteers would come and visit this orphanage to distribute gift boxes. Galina heard the Christmas message so many times. She saw people playing with children and loving them. She said:

“I watched them and thought, who are these people and where did they get so much glow and love from? Why do they do this? The boys and girls were always happy to see volunteers and receive a gift box. I am so thankful to all those who work in this project, because our children receive so much love through these gifts – every gift is a real treasure.”