By Lena Gilbert | Founder and Project Leader
I was sitting back today thinking about this time of year and what it is that we are all searching for... comfort food, warm and cozy, fun and laughter, being around those we care about.... and that made me zone in on the word "comfort" and think about what that means for children all over the world... and for us, especially those in Uganda. I was thinking even for my own two children, what this season even means for them... and how we can get lost in our society with the intense amount of advertising and marketing to make us think even when we are young that we need-need-need....
Trying to explain this to my 6 year old about why Santa just doesnt make it to certain houses and places is a difficult venture. But I feel that it is so important. In the end... we simplified it to that fact that if you dont have a house (or a chimney), then Santa cannot stop by on Christmas Eve. It seems simple but it was a way to share about the differences in the way people live and the inequalities that exist in our world. And these inequalities re more than just Santa not bringing toys, but that Santa sometimes needs to bring other things like a good meal, a protected shelter, clothing, and other basic supplies that some people dont have. At the heart of all this though.... as termed by a phrase we constantly hear: "home for the holidays" ... is the HOME. And this is the one thing our young people in Uganda still do not have.
When they are asked, what is the one thing that comes up most - a stable place they can call home. No more renting and moving if the landlord decides.... no more insecurity.... but a place they will know will always be there for them. Somewhere they will always find someone who cares about them... someone to comfort them. Please help us make this wish a reality for them all.
Thank you so mcuh for your generosity and compassion to date. We hope that you will continue on this journey with us to continue to turn these wishes of some very amazing young people into reality. Especially during this time, lets work together to bring these very deserving young people a HOME.
With much warmth and gratitude,
Lena
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