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A special Christmas for HOVIC

Emma Howard from KOP Kings put a tonne of effort and organisation into ensuring all of the children at HOVIC received a Christmas gift. Below she explains why and how her team did it.

As a student of Dietetics at King’s College London, I visited Kenya in the summer of 2011 to help out on the projects supported by the Kenyan Orphan Project (KOP) charity. Much of my time was spent at the HOVIC (Hope for Victoria Children) shelter. HOVIC ensures that orphans and vulnerable children from the streets of Kisumu receive nutritious meals, educational development, help, support, advice and medical care from staff at the centre.

Not only was I shocked by the levels of poverty and deprivation, but I was overwhelmed by the HOVIC children’s appreciation of the smallest things, e.g. a pen and paper, a ball etc. It seemed incomprehensible that these children possess absolutely nothing. I realised that the very items that we take for granted could bring them a great deal of happiness.

I returned to my first semester of 3^rd year determined to do more to help the wonderful children who I had met in Kenya. I decided to organise a shoebox appeal. Through acts of generosity and goodwill from fellow students, friends and family, 130 shoeboxes were shipped to HOVIC for Christmas, giving some of the children their first ever gift. The enthusiastic response at the British end was no match for the excitement, delight and appreciation at the shelter!

Those participating in the appeal have been incredibly thoughtful and generous in filling their boxes with much needed useful items and well deserved treats. Each box has been personalised with age appropriate clothing and games, along with a Christmas message to the Kenyan child from the British shoebox filler. The coordination, organisation and shipping costs have been an enormous undertaking but hugely worthwhile knowing the unimaginable joy that the boxes brought to the HOVIC children at Christmas.