From One Box in Zimbabwe to Thousands in Perth
Tatenda Makuni, a 19-year-old girl from Zimbabwe, is passionate for Operation Christmas Child for more than one reason. As a seven year old in Zimbabwe, Tatenda received her very own shoe box!
Today she is a student at the University of Western Australia. She shared her story with our warehouse volunteers when she was volunteering in the warehouse with friends from her uni…
“I come from a world where people can only afford to look after their own, and most of the time even that is barely possible. The thought of a complete stranger bothering to put me on their Christmas list was almost unbelievable.”
Tatenda can remember the excitement of the other children as they received their boxes and her excitement as she received her own. One toy that stood out to her was a yo-yo, a simple thing to us here, but a treasure to a little girl many thousands of kilometres away.
“As I grew older I began to understand that someone out there had specially packed that box for me, not just with toys but with love, care and all those sweet things. Who were they? What were they like? Did they wonder what I am like?”
Helping at the warehouse in Perth was an added bonus for Tatenda.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet, not just one, but so many people on the other end doing this work. Isn’t God amazing?”
God is amazing! Not only has he provided us with generous supporters who donate shoe boxes, he has blessed the ministry with volunteers from around the world who want to be a part of this incredible circle of giving.
THANK YOU to all who volunteered to promote the campaign and process the shoe boxes that were sent overseas this year. It was a massive effort and we would not have succeeded without your help!
February 10th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I just love doing Shoe boxes However sadly now that I am not working I cannot do as many .I look for things all through the year that I think the kids may like and get a real buzz out of covering my own boxes. Now that I am in South Australia I hope to continue doing them The church I went to in NSW was a great supporter and a great promoter of Samaritan’s purse.Lyn
February 10th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Lyn,
You may want to help out as a volunteer in the warehouse! We always need help to both process boxes and promote Operation Christmas Child – that way you are helping us to get more boxes to more children!
March 9th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Hi, you dont need a lot of money to help, you can volunteer at warehouse, or help spread the word by telling people about it. I also like to collect “freebies” throughout the year.. I’m amazed how often I see things in perfect good condition absolute brand new being thrown out because people dont want them and they got it for free!! I had collected pens, cute little soft toys, key rings, frisbee, juggling balls, sponge/stress balls, colouring pencils, little memo/writing pads/post it notes, shopping tote bags, hat/caps…
double charity!
If I’m buying stuff, I also like to buy from those “charity days” like red nose day/pink ribbon/daffodil/jeans for genes etc, so I’m donating to those charities & I’m giving the merchandise away.
April 17th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Yes I just love doing the boxes as well. There is certainly something true about the saying “it is more blessed to give than receive”. I must admit I collect all year round. I am always on the look out for freebees or things on special like the lady above. Books for 1c were fantastic. I’m sure God goes ahead of me as things are often marked down as I walk in. The op shops also have lots of new items that people have donated that they don’t want and once I show them a brouchure (always keep a few in my bag or car) they usually are very generous or keep stuff (new toys, clothes, gifts etc) for me. My connect group also collect and one lovely widowed mum now stores everything at her home and her disable daughter loves to help cover and pack the (almost 300) boxes. My Mum loves to sew and other contacts donate items and money to help our growing project. It’s not hard and it’s really worth every cent and minute. It’s a great community project, with my RE students loving it also.