Dear Editor,
It’s that time of year again when we begin to look forward to Christmas and once again I find myself committed to giving a shoebox full of presents to each child at the Bom Samaritano Children’s Home in Alvor. This has only been possible thanks to the tremendous generosity of friends and strangers who responded to my newspaper appeals.
For 12 years, I have collected the shoeboxes so each child has a box of surprises to open for Christmas. The Bom Samaritano Children’s Home was opened in 1993 as a permanent residence for deprived and needy children, who due to a lack of socio-economic means or through a process of negligence and abandonment are unable to stay with their families. Siblings are always kept together so that everyone lives as one big happy family.
The home relies on donations and support from charity organisations and from private individuals to provide many of the ‘extras’ that make such a difference to the childrens’ lives. There are currently 28 children in residence aged 3 -19 years.
You will be given a child’s name and age so that you can make up a box specifically for them. It is a fun and rewarding experience and the children get so excited when the boxes arrive all colourfully wrapped, wondering which is theirs! This year it is particularly difficult as less people are able to help.
The boxes should contain small presents age-appropriate such as toys, stationery, accessories, games etc.
If you are unable to make up a whole box any donations of items are welcome so that I can make up the boxes myself.
If you would like to help, please call.
Isobel Costa
965 339 577
