Stories From Our Local Partners In Belarus

Alexandra’s Shoebox

“My name is Alexandra. I am nine years old. I live with my foster mum, two brothers and two sisters. My sister invited me to the church for the Christmas holiday. We danced and read poems and they gave me a present. I have never received such a good gift before. When I opened the shoebox, I saw lots of lovely things, but I especially liked the doll. Thank you very much for the gift.”

*Name changed

A Mother’s Joy!

At a nursery 31 children heard about the Christmas story and were delighted to receive shoebox gifts. The parents expressed how thankful they were, and that children loved the gift boxes very much. One mother stopped the local partner the next day and said that she too had received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift when she was a child, and that it was the most memorable thing from her childhood.

Going Door To Door

Ministry partners visited the homes of a number of children in their local villages.

Paviel has additional needs and lives with his two siblings in a small village. His parents struggle with alcohol addiction and life is hard for the family. Local volunteers brought great joy to the children by delivering shoebox gifts and sharing the Christmas message with them.

*Name changed

Another family had three siblings who help to care for their paralysed grandmother. The Operation Christmas Child volunteers were warmly received and spent time sharing the Christmas message with the children and their grandmother.

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. Thirty-five children rejoiced greatly, when they opened their gift boxes. All those children were going through many hardships. Thanks to 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 shoebox gifts. 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.”