i looked at the organizations website, they think their brand of christianity is superior to mongolian spirituality. The Airforce refuses to contribute to this program because it is insulting to native religion--would you like your child approached at the bus stop with gifts and foreign religious material? Airforce says they give gifts in return for possible converts!!! theyuha.blogspot.com
My school is doing this and they gave a handout on how to make a box, they said candies could be included as long as individually wrapped. I handed in two boxes yesterday but I was reading the main site instructions and they said that it needs to be in a plastic bag. I didn't do that so whats gonna happen to the box I donated, will it not be able to get through customs? Please reply I'm worried that I screwed it up.
@TheLtMajor Hi, our checkers make sure they are all to the standard needed. If there aren't plastic bags, our checkers will add them. Thanks for the shoeboxes!
Ive done 8 boxes :) 6 which are equaled out 3 for a girl of each age group, and 3 for a boy off each age group, then 2 more a younger little boy, and for a little girl :). I love this charity and I just went mad buying for them this year and do you know something...its the best money ive ever spent!
I also encourage you to understand the religious motivations and implications of this project as well. This video highlights that "the objective" is that "these children knew they were loved and not forgotten", which is, in itself, a worthy goal. The aim of this project is also to evangelize and bring children to Christianity. Search "Operation Christmas Child: Short Video" to see a video that highlights this aspect of the program.
While I understand what you are saying, there is far more to this project than "asserting our cultural value than material wealth= happiness." Items in shoeboxes include things to fulfill the basic needs of some of the poorest children in the world - toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap. Other items mean that these kids can actually go to school and get an education - pencils, pens, notebooks, maths sets (in many countries school is free but you can't go if you don't have the materials)
@SomniaAlondra That was actually the part I was most excited about when I first learned about this project. I had planned to pack my box with academic and hygiene materials along with a few sustainable toys. I definitely support this aspect of the program and am troubled by the limitations placed on education in developing countries.
@SomniaAlondra Also, what prompted that comment in the first place was the way they depicted these children as completely unhappy (with "no joy" and "no one to love them") and that the only solution to this perceived unhappiness was to give them stuff. To me, this came off as over dramatized (and, I'm guessing, somewhat fictionalized as many of these children have families who are also encouraged to convert to Christianity, as I've read) and a ploy to pull at the heartstrings of donors.
In addition to this, please note that only some shoeboxes contain a booklet about Christianity, in culturally compatible situations. As far as I am aware, there is not a secular organisation that does anything similar.
@SomniaAlondra I realize that a few boxes are delivered without religious material, but as I've read, 95% of them are. Culturally compatible, as I understand, means not illegal as in some Muslim countries. This is what I've gathered from a little research. The distribution is facilitated by having the children listen to preaching before the boxes are theirs as well.
@SomniaAlondra And you're right. For as much and as hard as I looked, I could find no comparable secular or non-evangelical project. I have no issue that Christians are undertaking this project. I commend them for taking what they have and giving to the poor, as the Bible instructs. I commend anyone who does this. My issue comes when they use these gifts as "evangelism tools", as its leader Franklin Graham puts it.
@smhyndman I am sure there are people who love these children - the workers in the orphanages where they live, for example. But, often, these children are orphans, abandoned, living on the street or the victims of disaster and war. I hope there are people in their lives who really care. I don't think it does any harm to give them some toys to play with - play is important in development. And as a Christian, I can't complain about the "evangelism" - if parents or carers want to they can remove it
@smhyndman From the OCC website: Whenever we are asked to provide Christian literature, we are always pleased to do so, free of charge. This usually takes the form of a booklet. While local churches and Christian partners distributing the shoeboxes may offer a free copy of this booklet with shoeboxes, no child is obliged to take it. The booklet is given to a child with their shoebox, not inside it.
While they may not have the over-abundance of material objects that we in the first world do, many, I'd assume, still have friends and family and their own-childlike creativity and exuberance that creates joy in even the most dire circumstances. We should be cautious about asserting our own cultural value that material wealth = happiness upon a culture who may define happiness in very different terms. (continued...)
It's wonderful and inspiring how many people are so moved to alleviate suffering in the world and to bring joy! The smile of a child is priceless. I'm concerned, however, with the idea that these children have "no toys, no dolls, nothing to play with, nothing to call their own" and the idea that there is no joy in their live and no one to love them. This seems like a very unlikely claim. (continued...)
I'm doing this this year in my religious ed class, actually i just finished the box now and decided to watch a video about it. I felt bad for these kids because they don't have much. I have a lot and never really took any time to appreciate it. Just by donating a few things can really make you feel great. It just goes to show that big things really do come in small packages! :)
I have 2 small children and see how many things they get for Christmas. Such a small contribution to these children mean the world to them. I've tears in my eyes watching the little happy faces. I'm going to make an effort to help this year
What a great video ^^ I got started on Operation Christmas Child at my school and now that I've left, I still make shoeboxes and drop them off at my local church instead. I just love imagining the children who might get the presents, and scouting round the shops for fun things that will fit inside a shoebox.
i looked at the organizations website, they think their brand of christianity is superior to mongolian spirituality. The Airforce refuses to contribute to this program because it is insulting to native religion--would you like your child approached at the bus stop with gifts and foreign religious material? Airforce says they give gifts in return for possible converts!!! theyuha.blogspot.com
theyuha 2 months ago
my school is doing this and i packed my box today :D
angelcake318 3 months ago
I cried when I saw all of your videos and thinking of what the owner of the box I packed for them, to see their face just brings tears to my eyes!
thecvideospiczo 3 months ago
I did 6 boxes for this year...and I used all my Christmas present money going towards Operation Christmas Child.<3
bloobitywahaha 3 months ago
It gave me a feel! <33 I'm packing my first box this years for a girl 10-14!
IwantToeatyourcheese 4 months ago
i have $10 and I was wondering when this is available again will I be aloud to give $2?
ferretcutie9 4 months ago
we're making these too :) i cant wait to send mine off, this video was really sweet ♥
hannah000banana 5 months ago
My cheer team made 15 stuffed boxes:) It warms my heart<3 Why is this vedio always say UK other conturies participate.
MissNonsenseTalk 1 year ago
@MissNonsenseTalk yeah but this is through the uk charity and the boxes come from uk schools. Other countries go through other charities.
OTHsmallvillefan 5 months ago
My school is doing this and they gave a handout on how to make a box, they said candies could be included as long as individually wrapped. I handed in two boxes yesterday but I was reading the main site instructions and they said that it needs to be in a plastic bag. I didn't do that so whats gonna happen to the box I donated, will it not be able to get through customs? Please reply I'm worried that I screwed it up.
TheLtMajor 1 year ago
@TheLtMajor Hi, our checkers make sure they are all to the standard needed. If there aren't plastic bags, our checkers will add them. Thanks for the shoeboxes!
SamaritansPurseTV 1 year ago
This is such a beautiful thing. I'm doing this at my church and I hope and pray that all of you will do it too! God bless!
sarahbull 1 year ago
Ive done 8 boxes :) 6 which are equaled out 3 for a girl of each age group, and 3 for a boy off each age group, then 2 more a younger little boy, and for a little girl :). I love this charity and I just went mad buying for them this year and do you know something...its the best money ive ever spent!
Anabana21yeh 1 year ago
This is such a worth while cause
It really makes a difference to these childrens lives, to show them they too are loved:)
I will be doing it again this year:)
Graciey16 1 year ago
I also encourage you to understand the religious motivations and implications of this project as well. This video highlights that "the objective" is that "these children knew they were loved and not forgotten", which is, in itself, a worthy goal. The aim of this project is also to evangelize and bring children to Christianity. Search "Operation Christmas Child: Short Video" to see a video that highlights this aspect of the program.
Peace :)
smhyndman 1 year ago
@smhyndman
While I understand what you are saying, there is far more to this project than "asserting our cultural value than material wealth= happiness." Items in shoeboxes include things to fulfill the basic needs of some of the poorest children in the world - toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap. Other items mean that these kids can actually go to school and get an education - pencils, pens, notebooks, maths sets (in many countries school is free but you can't go if you don't have the materials)
SomniaAlondra 1 year ago
@SomniaAlondra That was actually the part I was most excited about when I first learned about this project. I had planned to pack my box with academic and hygiene materials along with a few sustainable toys. I definitely support this aspect of the program and am troubled by the limitations placed on education in developing countries.
smhyndman 1 year ago
@SomniaAlondra Also, what prompted that comment in the first place was the way they depicted these children as completely unhappy (with "no joy" and "no one to love them") and that the only solution to this perceived unhappiness was to give them stuff. To me, this came off as over dramatized (and, I'm guessing, somewhat fictionalized as many of these children have families who are also encouraged to convert to Christianity, as I've read) and a ploy to pull at the heartstrings of donors.
smhyndman 1 year ago
@smhyndman
In addition to this, please note that only some shoeboxes contain a booklet about Christianity, in culturally compatible situations. As far as I am aware, there is not a secular organisation that does anything similar.
SomniaAlondra 1 year ago
@SomniaAlondra I realize that a few boxes are delivered without religious material, but as I've read, 95% of them are. Culturally compatible, as I understand, means not illegal as in some Muslim countries. This is what I've gathered from a little research. The distribution is facilitated by having the children listen to preaching before the boxes are theirs as well.
smhyndman 1 year ago
@SomniaAlondra And you're right. For as much and as hard as I looked, I could find no comparable secular or non-evangelical project. I have no issue that Christians are undertaking this project. I commend them for taking what they have and giving to the poor, as the Bible instructs. I commend anyone who does this. My issue comes when they use these gifts as "evangelism tools", as its leader Franklin Graham puts it.
smhyndman 1 year ago
@smhyndman I am sure there are people who love these children - the workers in the orphanages where they live, for example. But, often, these children are orphans, abandoned, living on the street or the victims of disaster and war. I hope there are people in their lives who really care. I don't think it does any harm to give them some toys to play with - play is important in development. And as a Christian, I can't complain about the "evangelism" - if parents or carers want to they can remove it
SomniaAlondra 1 year ago
@smhyndman (maybe you should start a non-denominational project that does something similar - it seems there is a need for it)
SomniaAlondra 1 year ago
@smhyndman From the OCC website: Whenever we are asked to provide Christian literature, we are always pleased to do so, free of charge. This usually takes the form of a booklet. While local churches and Christian partners distributing the shoeboxes may offer a free copy of this booklet with shoeboxes, no child is obliged to take it. The booklet is given to a child with their shoebox, not inside it.
SomniaAlondra 1 year ago
While they may not have the over-abundance of material objects that we in the first world do, many, I'd assume, still have friends and family and their own-childlike creativity and exuberance that creates joy in even the most dire circumstances. We should be cautious about asserting our own cultural value that material wealth = happiness upon a culture who may define happiness in very different terms. (continued...)
smhyndman 1 year ago
It's wonderful and inspiring how many people are so moved to alleviate suffering in the world and to bring joy! The smile of a child is priceless. I'm concerned, however, with the idea that these children have "no toys, no dolls, nothing to play with, nothing to call their own" and the idea that there is no joy in their live and no one to love them. This seems like a very unlikely claim. (continued...)
smhyndman 1 year ago
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smhyndman 1 year ago
Comment removed
smhyndman 1 year ago
I'm doing this this year in my religious ed class, actually i just finished the box now and decided to watch a video about it. I felt bad for these kids because they don't have much. I have a lot and never really took any time to appreciate it. Just by donating a few things can really make you feel great. It just goes to show that big things really do come in small packages! :)
Pancakezable 1 year ago 6
@Pancakezable Very true, Great to hear you made a shoebox! Check out the video with the 'Angola boy' in our channel. It's my favourite.
SamaritansPurseTV 1 year ago
i did this in primary school :) ♥
prettyXbrunette 1 year ago
I have 2 small children and see how many things they get for Christmas. Such a small contribution to these children mean the world to them. I've tears in my eyes watching the little happy faces. I'm going to make an effort to help this year
jenenifer2007 1 year ago 4
This is an amazig organisation. I am 13 and I am organising for my whole school to get involved in this. It is so inspiring.
littlemissdramatic1 1 year ago 2
What a great video ^^ I got started on Operation Christmas Child at my school and now that I've left, I still make shoeboxes and drop them off at my local church instead. I just love imagining the children who might get the presents, and scouting round the shops for fun things that will fit inside a shoebox.
Happy 20th anniversary, OCC!
hyperchica 1 year ago 2