Fulfilling Christmas wishes in Peru
The San Martin de Porras Special Education Centre in the city of Paramonga in Peru, is an educational setting for 62 children who come from low-income families and who have additional educational needs, often due to one or more disability.
However, the centre was facing a problem – due to issues such as work, money, or shame, many children had stopped attending classes. Working with the director of the institution, Smurfit Kappa employees created an initiative to show the children and their parents that they are valued and appreciated. The initiative aimed to fulfil the Christmas wishes of the children and involved several stages.
Firstly, they were invited to attend a workshop to create their Christmas wish letter, often using images and montages to express their wish. These were then distributed among Smurfit Kappa volunteers who each took responsibility for fulfilling one wish. On the day the gifts were presented, the children and families held a performance to express their thanks, and, most importantly, the volunteers had the opportunity to get to know the families and to demonstrate that they too have a valued place in the community.
However, the centre was facing a problem – due to issues such as work, money, or shame, many children had stopped attending classes. Working with the director of the institution, Smurfit Kappa employees created an initiative to show the children and their parents that they are valued and appreciated. The initiative aimed to fulfil the Christmas wishes of the children and involved several stages.
Firstly, they were invited to attend a workshop to create their Christmas wish letter, often using images and montages to express their wish. These were then distributed among Smurfit Kappa volunteers who each took responsibility for fulfilling one wish. On the day the gifts were presented, the children and families held a performance to express their thanks, and, most importantly, the volunteers had the opportunity to get to know the families and to demonstrate that they too have a valued place in the community.
