As we start our Christmas giving appeal we look back, 30 years ago, when we sent Christmas packages for the first time, then to war-torn Bosnia. Today, yet another affected country needs our help – Ukraine. Where does the Christmas spirit go during burning wars? How do you make a child on the run experience the miracle of Christmas? We found a way 30 years ago when Christmas packages spread joy among the victims of the Bosnian war. Now we see history repeating itself.
Ukraine's children are heading towards their first Christmas in the shadow of war - and we want to give them the joy back. Star of Hope's tradition of handing out Christmas packages kicked off in 1992.
Our co-founder Lennart Eriksson traveled through a war-torn Bosnia with blown-up buildings and bridges. " We went there and prayed to God that no one would shoot at us. It worked," he says.
Before the end of the year, we had sent 70 trucks to Bosnia! Today, three decades later, the Christmas packages spread joy in Europe as well as in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. It has become possible thanks to all of you who donate money earmarked for Christmas packages.
For the money, we pack packages on-site in each country and distribute them to expectant children who have been longing since last Christmas. We intend to make these children happy again – but we are not stopping there. This year we also want to comfort the children of the war in Ukraine. What we have learned is that every Christmas package carries an unwritten message for the family that receives it: "The world has not forgotten you! We see you, we care, and we will not abandon you and Jesus loves you".
Please visit our shop and send a gift to a child.
Photos from some of our projects at Christmas past.
Here is the #1 item from our shop: