More than 1,300 shoe boxes filled with gifts for children in developing countries were donated by residents in the Algarve as part of the Operation Christmas Child and in December volunteers from the region delivered some of these gift boxes to children in Belarus.
Gill Rhodes said: “Last year our trip was thwarted as our passports were stolen while we waited for our flight but this time we reached our destination and had an amazing experience. The joy on the faces of the children as they took the lid off their boxes was something I will never forget.”
She added: “Most of the children were living in very difficult conditions with some in hospitals, some in care and others in intensive rehabilitation centres. They all appreciated their gifts and the love that came out of the boxes as they took off the lids was tangible!”
The Operation Christmas Child shoe box campaign will be taking place again during 2011.
For further information about the appeal, please contact Gill Rhodes by emailing jtgbrhodes@yahoo.com
