Shoebox Appeal 2010

Shoe Box Appeal 2010

In 2009 we gathered 128,000 filled shoeboxes that were sent too many countries in eastern Europe as well as to India and Pakistan.

I was privileged earlier this year to visit a number of our partner projects in India and whilst there helped with the distribution of some of the boxes.

What a pleasure it was to hand out the boxes to children, teenagers and adults and to see the smiles when they opened them to find such great treasures inside.  These treasures seem so small to us; a new hat and scarf, a toothbrush with some toothpaste, a small toy, some soap; but they bring great joy.

One place stands out in particular.  I visited a slum church in Beggars Valley; a vast slum city in the middle of Hyderabad.  The church was one small shack that was held together with bits of wood, cardboard and anything that would secure it.  Inside I experienced a real sense of God at work through people with so little.  I met Kapalna, a young teenager.  She has a severe skin condition that led to her family abandoning her due to the embarrassment and the feeling they had been cursed.  Eventually rescued by Pastor Samuel Babu she is now being educated and through our sponsorship scheme is fostered with a family and goes to school.  Seeing her laughing with friends was wonderful.

Please help us bring joy and cheer this Christmas.

Danny Muschate

Head of fundraising