It was a joyful day for Fatou Diouf.
In their midst of their difficult subsistence lives in the African nation of Senegal, Fatou’s two daughters received precious gifts: Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes packed by Canadians.
“I’m joyful and happy because my kids have gotten these gifts,” she said in Woloff, her native tribal language. Fatou spoke while helping eight-year-old Dienaba and two-year-old Coumba sift through the contents of their boxes.
The trio is part of an extended family living in a cluster of thatched huts with their thin goats and other scraggly farm animals about two hours’ drive south of Dakar, Senegal’s capital city. They have no running water or electricity.
Fatou has never been able to save enough money to give her girls any gifts, aside from one set of “good” clothes to wear for rare special events.
Because of these challenging circumstances, Fatou has a message for Canadians who pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes: “Thanks to everyone who sent these gifts. It’s good to know there are people thinking about us. It gives us hope for the future.”
When you pack shoeboxes full of toys, hygiene items, clothes and school supplies, God uses your gift to show people like Fatou, Dienaba, and Coumba that they are loved and that, through Jesus Christ, they can have eternal life.
Please donate $12 for every shoebox you prepare. Your donations will help cover project costs, including shipping (make one combined donation for multiple shoeboxes). Consider making an additional donation to help Samaritan's Purse go beyond the shoebox and expand assistance to children, their families, and their communities. Samaritan's Purse does not provide receipts for the value of gift items included in a shoebox.