What does Christmas mean to you? That question was asked to five middle school boys, ages 11 and 12. For those who have a child or grandchild around this age you already know the answer. If you are brave enough to venture out shopping over the holidays you can quickly see the wish list for every boy down the sporting goods aisle and in the electronics section of the store. Or you can go on Amazon and shop under the ‘Top Teen List’ to find the latest gadgets.
However, this question was asked to five boys living in the Kawangware slums of Nairobi, Kenya. In Kawangware the people live on less than $1 a day and the majority of the population is children. The answers that they gave are similar to each other but quite different than what we’re used to, and it is startling. Here are their responses in their own words.
Bevan: Christmas is a day when people celebrate the birth of Jesus. During this day people wear beautiful clothes, eat delicious food like chicken, and drink soda. Children are also given presents by their parents. Bad luck for me because there is no celebration at home. My parent who is single cannot afford all of these good things. We only take tea and one piece of bread and cabbage for supper. This has made Christmas holiday to be like any other day to me.
Wilson: Christmas is a special day in which Jesus Christ was born. During this day people celebrate and have fun. I would like to go to a place very beautiful with fresh water. And that place is called Lake Victoria. During Christmas I would be happy as a king when I eat chicken and bread at a restaurant. In Kawangware slums we only dream to see these things and would be as proud as a peacock to see them.
Lihanda: During Christmas I would like for my parents to buy me new clothes, and during that day I would like to go with my parents to the park. On that day I could eat good food. But not for me.
Eugene: Christmas is a day when people feel happy and come together to celebrate because Jesus Christ is born. On this day people go to places of interest, looking neat and eating sweets and good food together with drinks like juices, sodas, and milk due to their living standards. For me, I am never lucky during these times because my parents cannot afford these drinks and food. We take tea and sliced bread because my parents do not have money that early in the morning. Sometimes they have to go look for work like carrying water for other people. This has made Christmas holiday to be as any other day to me. I usually read story books on how people and children like me celebrate Christmas holiday but I have never seen this happen in my life.
John: Christmas is the most special event of the year. We cannot afford to buy special or expensive food. We usually see Christmas like any other day. In the morning we are used to eating last night’s food – half part of an orange and a slice of bread. At lunch we either eat cabbage or bread. Our parents do not have any money to buy food. Sometimes my father is forced to give out his savings that he saved for our school fees for the rest of the year so that we can eat something. He doesn’t like our stomachs growling because we are hungry.”
At the end of each letter that I received from the young boys it said “Merry Christmas”. My prayer is that they may have a Merry Christmas. Christmas means only one thing: God’s perfect gift of Jesus to you and me. Pray and remember these boys and tens of thousands just like them in the Kawangware slums. May this be a special Christmas for them and for you.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11
Melinda Staples | Project Manager