The Christmas season is the time to share God’s love with everyone…

Viva Christmas Parties are often the highlight of the year for many children and volunteers connected to our partner networks around the world.

Children have fun and feel loved, communities are strengthened, and churches share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Through the Christmas Parties, Viva partner networks are becoming more widely known and respected and, as their reputations are strengthened, they have better platforms to bring about positive change for children.

In December 2020 and January 2021, over 9,100 children received the Christmas message of hope as they took part in 170 Christmas Parties organised through the collective action of over 300 churches and organisations.

These parties were hugely needed and appreciated as they reached through the darkness of the global Coronavirus pandemic, bringing hope to families by showing them that they have not been forgotten and that support is available.

“Every church should hold a Christmas Party for children as the Christmas season is the time to share God’s love with everyone” – Johar Children @ Risk Network, Ranchi, India

The Christmas Parties were a bit different to previous years to make sure they were safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some parties had fewer participants, some were held outside and others were held virtually, but they were all still full of fun activities to teach and encourage children.

Every party was different, as they were each tailored to address the unique challenges facing children in their communities. All parties shared the Christmas story, included an element of education and were focused on fun for the children involved.

Activities included dancing, games, piñatas, clowns, crafts, singing and much more. At many parties children also received gifts, shared meals together and learnt how to stay safe in their communities. Click here to get a glimpse into a Christmas Party run by CarNet Nepal.

Life Lessons in Safety and Support

The network members running the Christmas Parties used the time to teach children about how to stay safe in their communities. They aimed to achieve impact in each of the following four Viva outcomes, so children would learn the skills they need to grow and thrive into the future.

Children are protected from abuse and danger, knowing how to keep themselves safe

• 8,023 children benefitted from this theme through 169 parties which were run by 20 partner networks.
• Red Viva El Alto, Bolivia, strengthened children in their self-protection skills using a playful presentation and puppet theatre on themes such as ‘my value’, ‘mistreatment’ and ‘good treatment’.
• The ‘Good Touch Bad Touch’ child protection initiative was also taught at lots of the parties, including at Viva Delhi Network, India and Asha Forum Bangalore, India.

Children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, ideally within a strong family

• 3,347 children benefitted from this theme through 127 parties which were run by 11 partner networks.
• At the Christmas Party run by Peace Team Cambodia many children were very excited about the commitment made by parents and other adults that they would love, care for and support children.

Children are educated for life, with the skills and experience needed to develop socially, emotionally and spiritually

• 4,194 children benefitted from this theme through 133 parties which were run by 12 partner networks.
• Children who attended parties run by Mwanza Children Action Network (MCAN), Tanzania parties were given school materials so they could attend school and continue investing in their education.

Society is changing such that children are respected, valued and have better opportunities for the future

• 1,891 children benefitted from this theme through 28 parties which were run by 9 partner networks.
• RENACSENIV, Venezuela’s Christmas Party, helped strengthen the community as lots of people came together to provide labour, money and in-kind gifts. Everyone was very grateful for the opportunity to contribute towards this event for local children.

Life Beyond the Christmas Party

Following the parties, children and their families receive the opportunity to link in with ongoing support from Viva partner networks.

Children who attend the parties are often from vulnerable backgrounds, so the programmes run by the networks can be really beneficial for them and give them a source of stable, long-term encouragement.

This year at least 41% of the children who attended the Christmas Parties were previously unreached by Viva partner networks. This means that the Christmas Parties are about more than just one day of fun – they pave the way for children’s lives to be changed forever.

For example, Children are receiving long-term benefits from the Renacsenipem network in, Peru, as children and their families are taking part in a weekly programme of values using WhatsApp following the Christmas Parties. Every three months they will also receive donations including food, cleaning products and school equipment.

Samalani Children at Risk Network (SCAR), Zambia, have invited new children to Touch Talk sessions to teach them how to stay safe from abuse. They will also be invited to be involved in the Good Treatment Campaign and all regular SCAR children’s programmes.

“The joy that children receive in this type of event is so special that it has a positive impact on their lives, paving the way for them to continue working with our programmes” – Red Viva Paraguay

Stories of Change

There have been so many wonderful stories showing the impact these parties have had in children’s lives.

For example, a 14-year-old boy, who has been blind from birth, attended his first Christmas Party run by Viva Children @ Risk Network, Patna, India.

He said, “I am very excited to be here. I could feel the respect and love for me from everyone. I was always wondering why God sent me to be on this Earth, but today’s messages changed my thoughts. I realised today how important I am to my parents – my family loves me and they care for me. I also heard about Jesus Christ for the first time.”

There are many more stories of both children and organisations being impacted by the 2020 Christmas Parties which you can read here in the full report.

“God provides everything and even more than we imagine. We just have to trust Him and do His work with courage and enthusiasm” – Renacsenipem, Peru